Early Rolex 6265 with tropical sub-dials

Collecting · · by Christian Bissener


Rolex Daytona 6265 with silver dial and brown tropical sub-dials on a steel bracelet

I am a great admirer of the early Daytonas with their simple dial design and the “ROC” signature. This 6265, from 1971, has a silver dial with nicely aged tropical sub-dials. A Daytona in good condition is not easy to find today, and an early tropical one is rarer still.

The way the sub-dials have aged, each differently, adds the extra something. The case remains in great condition, with correct MK2 pushers, the correct bezel and a correct 6262 caseback.

Close-up of the Rolex 6265 dial with Rolex Oyster Cosmograph signature and tropical sub-dials
The dial: Rolex Oyster Cosmograph signature, sub-dials aged to brown

Close-up of the 6265 sub-dial at 9 o’clock with aged brown surface
The 30-minute register at nine o’clock

Close-up of the 6265 sub-dial at 3 o’clock and the engraved bezel scale
The seconds register and tachymeter bezel

The watch has a strong presence on the wrist and is well suited to daily wear.

Rolex Daytona 6265 worn on the wrist
On the wrist

Together with the 6265 Big Red with black dial in NOS condition, it would make a fine pair in any high-class collection.