Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref.6239 1973

[Captain3227]

Hello Experienced Rolex Readers. I am the original owner of a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref.6239 made in 1973 and bought in 1974 in Cleveland, Ohio. I am looking for advice where to restore/service and eventually sell this watch. I bought the watch with scholarship money while attending college. Within 2 years water got inside the watch and quit working, it is not working now. The watch has laid idle in my dresser for 32 years. The watch has a white face with small black dials and incremented to 200 units on the outer ring. I appreciate any help and comments from those who have had vintage watches restored.
Thanks, Captain Jim.

[Tools]

Your watch may be difficult to bring back if the problem is due to rust........ if it got wet, and stopped because of rust, then spent 32 years in a dresser, the parts may very well have bonded permanently together...

But, then perhaps not.......which would be good as an authentic 6239 could be worth 30 to 90 thousand, depending on configuration..

You might contact the fine folks at www.watchmakers to give you a good estimate of the cost for such an undertaking..

[Captain3227]

Thanks. Had the watch opened and there is pitting but the main movement was rocking. Do you think i would have to send it back to Rolex in Geneva to get a first class restoration and be able to ask the high end ? New to forums ........
I've included a picture.

Jim

[Tools]

I don't know that I would go to Geneve, although I suppose you could... there is a Rolex Service Center in Chicago that may do a good job of servicing..

Generally, Rolex is not in the restoration business, so some of the parts that are not in good condition could be replaced, diminishing the value..such as the dial, pushers, and bezel, hands, or bracelet.....this is where the money is on this watch... It appears to be an original riveted bracelet...nice to have..

You would not likely get top dollar on this piece as it would need to be mint, original, and have the original box, papers, and proof of provenance..

I see some discoloration on the dial and stretching of he bracelet..

You might also seek the services of a restoration specialist such as Bob Ridley at www.watchmakers.com or others..

It would probably sell well as-is, but could bring a decent price if properly serviced or restored..

You really should be seeking professional advice because there are so many things that could diminish it's value if done improperly..

[Captain3227]

Thanks Again !

[oztimelord]

This is a valuable piece don't get them to touch the dial, hands or polish the case. Spend the money with someone like Bob as it is worth it.

Do you have the original paperwork, nonetheless if this is the real deal it is a pot of gold. Personally I would keep it no matter what.

Here is mine.

http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn99/OztimelordsPhotos/P1020484.jpg

[Captain3227]

Oztimelord,
My Mother is looking for the original sales receipt and paperwork, she's 84 now. She bought the watch for me while I was away at the Great Lakes Maritime Academy. Frankly, the watch was always a sore subject with me. I bought it with scholarship money and thought it would be my sailors chronometer for a lifetime. At the time, 70's, I was doing celestial navigating on ocean racing sailboats. Well the darn watch wasn't waterproof and stopped. Rolex would not repair it under warranty. Being young and stubborn I wouldn't pay for the repair. So the watch for years sat until I pulled it out and discovered online it turned into a classic, Kind of like a 1963 1/2 Corvette.

[lobo58]

Damn. I'm weeping, because next week I am parting with this...
http://i105.photobucket.com/albums/m228/lobo58/6263wrist.jpg

For a whole lot of money. Talk to your buyer before you do anything. Mine was pumped that I hadn't done a service since '91. A service may devalue your Daytona.

[Lol-x]

Well Jim, it sure is a classic and worth every cent you spend on getting it working properly.

The dial looks like it is in great condition. The original dial and hands are important to retain.

I hope your mum can find the paperwork :dude: You could buy at least 10 waterproof Rolex with the value of your Daytona. :chuckle: :cool:

[Captain3227]

Appreciate all your postings and words of advice and support. I am seeking professional advice at this time and wish to have it restored to as close to mint as we can get.

[lobo58]

Appreciate all your postings and words of advice and support. I am seeking professional advice at this time and wish to have it restored to as close to mint as we can get.

Can not stress it enough. Do not have the case polished. Do not let them touch the dial. This definitely looks like a genuine PN Daytona and as such is worth a bundle.

[Captain3227]

Found Rolex documents this morning regarding the service I refused back in 1980 . The model case was logged etc., we found them filed away with some old photos. I also enclosed one more picture of the watch and the old papers. As you can see I did not have the service done and had them send back the watch. Oh well it's original for sure ! I will be curious to see if the watch ends up with a collector that does nothing more than enjoy it as-is or a collector that gives it a face lift ???

[d-cannon]

How cool is Rolex to end the correspondence with:

"and remain, yours truly,..."

:cool:

[lobo58]

Take a lesson. really. Read my post here: http://www.rolexforums.com/showpost.php?p=1203329&postcount=78

I just sold a Daytona 6263 and the Official service did more damage than good. You may have a more valuable watch "as is". Consider it carefully.

[jeffrb_99]

Try to get a quote from a reputable Rolex service center then compare it with another from a trusted non-rolex repair center. If you're willing to invest a lot then it might be worth restoring. Another option would be to sell it as-is.

[onkyo]

How cool is Rolex to end the correspondence with:

"and remain, yours truly,..."

:cool:

That was almost 30 years ago.

I doubt there is that personal touch nowadays. :thumbsdow

:cheers:

[Captain3227]

Were the Daytona 6239's advertised as water resitant to 50 meters back in the 60's and 70's ?? Maybe Rolex really should of fixed my watch back then ??? She's Original !

[TheVTCGuy]

It's worthless... send it to me and I'll give you 50 bucks for it....


Well it was worth a shot!!!!

[Ezza8]

Its fantastic how the wheel turns.... we see this watch being offered by Jacek. Great story!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=157093

[DadsDaytona]

6262 Here........You have a nice one.

[HL65]

Your best bet is to call Bob Ridley as Larry stated. The 6239 was not waterproof and Bob just worked on one exactly like yours that had water damage and is in fact for sale now for $48k due to discoloration on the dial - a slight blur above Daytona. Bob is aaster at vintage Rolex and a great guy. His company is watchmakers international. Check him out. Best of luck and hope it works out.

[beerformeplz]

Your best bet is to call Bob Ridley as Larry stated. The 6239 was not waterproof and Bob just worked on one exactly like yours that had water damage and is in fact for sale now for $48k due to doscolpration on the dial - a slight blur above Daytona. Bob is aaster at vintage Rolex and a great guy. His company is watchmakers international. Check him out. Best of luck and hope it works out.

I think its the same watch.

[Yazo]

Its fantastic how the wheel turns.... we see this watch being offered by Jacek. Great story!

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=157093
Small world!

[josh6262]

http://cgi.ebay.com/Rolex-Daytona-Ref-6239-Paul-Newman-Serial-2-0-Mil-/220714381872?pt=Wristwatches&hash=item33639a3230

I knew I saw this watch before....

[HL65]

I knew it as well! I recommended Bob as he already overhauled that watch and kept dial as there was no way to fix it without destroying it. Well Captain Jim?

[slevin kelevra]

Captain Jim last posted on this thread in 2009 so it looks like the watch went to Rolex then Bob Ridley then to Jacek.

Always kinda interesting these little stories. It's a lovely watch.

[HL65]

When I posted I had no idea it was an 09 thread. I saw it highlighted and just posted. Never read date. Too funny. That's what happens when you do this on your phone. Lol

[Jacek]

It's a small world.

[Puffy]

:lol: small world indeed

[Michael M.]

What a small world!

[Brent]

Hello Experienced Rolex Readers. I am the original owner of a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref.6239 made in 1973 and bought in 1974 in Cleveland, Ohio. I bought the watch with scholarship money while attending college.

Hey, that was exactly my experience. Bought my 6263 in Watertown New York on September 1, 1978 while attending Queen's University in Kingston Ontario and used the proceeds from a scholarship to pay for it!

Why buy books, when you can buy a Rolex that goes on to become a classic in its own right? :wlae:

PS: I have always had the watch serviced by Rolex Service Center, here in Toronto. Picture doesn't do the watch justice:

http://i51.tinypic.com/e7cos5.png

[Michael M.]

Nice watch Brent! Looks like a sigma dial!

[Brent]

Nice watch Brent! Looks like a sigma dial!

Yes it is. One of these days I'll get a better photo of my watch for posting purposes.