Daytona 6263 Big Red

[Rockk]

Hey guys,

I am new to this forum. I was recommended to come here to get more information regarding my new watch.

Long story short: My grandfather passed away about 4 years ago. Yesterday, my grandma gave me his old watch as a gift. I posted it on Reddit for identification and, apparently, it's a very rare/valuable Rolex. I don't have the box or any papers. I have not yet gotten it authenticated, but you can find my reddit post on the /r/Watches subreddit titled "[Identify] This Rolex Daytona was just gifted to me. I know nothing about it." Because I am new, I can't post any links. The reddit post has some imgur links to more pictures I took.

I know just enough about watches to get me in trouble (lol). I need to know what to do with this watch in terms of service, maintanence, insurance, etc.

Thanks in advance for your help!

[Kingface66]

Hi, Rockk, and welcome aboard!
Couple things: Don’t have it serviced by anyone until the experts here offer some guidance and advice on where you can send it (and certainly don’t send it to Rolex). And from the thread on Reddit, Yes, the crystal is plexiglass and polishing it won’t affect the value at all.
Lastly, for those interested, here’s the Reddit thread

https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/com...ments_view_all

[Rockk]

Thank you for posting the link.

With respect to service: that seems to be the consensus--not to send it to Rolex. But that sets up my next problem: who can I trust? I have no clue what to do with this watch and I am terrified that I will ruin it's value or cause it some damage by sending it to the wrong person.

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by Rockk

Thank you for posting the link.

With respect to service: that seems to be the consensus--not to send it to Rolex. But that sets up my next problem: who can I trust? I have no clue what to do with this watch and I am terrified that I will ruin it's value or cause it some damage by sending it to the wrong person.

You won’t send it to the wrong person if you do a couple things.
You have an incredibly valuable watch, so learn as much as you can about it. Listen to what respected experts here suggest. They will know of people and places to send it to who will not only treat it with respect, but will be working on it with years of experience and expertise under their belts. Which is why you shouldn’t just send it to anyone.
Above all, be patient.

[Wiener48]

Pictures please

[Futuristic]

Yeah pictures

[catmanmorgs]

From his other post


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[swish77]

The two photos I can find on Reddit are not clear/sharp enough. When you have a chance take some clear daylight photographs of the watch and post them.

In the meantime, take off the bracelet and double-check between the lugs for the reference number and the serial number. Removing the bracelet is easy to do because of the lug holes. Perhaps you could post the beginning of the serial number.

As for service, there are plenty of vintage specialist watchmakers discussed on this site, including Bob Ridley and LA Watch Works, among others.

[Rockk]

I can't post pictures yet. I need 7 more posts (after this one) to be able to post picturs/links. If you go to the reddit post, I posted three (3) imgbb links to pictures I took yesterday. The other 2 may be clearer than the one already shared on here.

Also, I will be taking the bracelet off to get the model/serial. I don't have the tools or knowledge to do it, so it may happen later this week, if I can't get a hold of a buddy of mine tonight. Stay tuned.

[brandrea]

Experts will chime in soon enough but one option would be to contact Rolex Geneva Heritage service.

I’ve read about it here before ... but fasten your seatbelt, it’s pricy but you’ll be assured that it’s done by Rolex under their watchful eye.

[Phrank]

Originally Posted by Rockk

I can't post pictures yet. I need 7 more posts (after this one) to be able to post picturs/links. If you go to the reddit post, I posted three (3) imgbb links to pictures I took yesterday. The other 2 may be clearer than the one already shared on here.

Also, I will be taking the bracelet off to get the model/serial. I don't have the tools or knowledge to do it, so it may happen later this week, if I can't get a hold of a buddy of mine tonight. Stay tuned.

Just make 7 posts in a row, counting down....then post a pic of that Big Red!!

[Boaters]

Post a few more times then you will be golden ... Your piece is rare so to speak but worth some serious coin if you do things correctly on a service of this timepiece

[Rockk]

I'm going to have to wait until tomorrow, after work, to take pictures in the daylight. I'll post a few times elsewhere, so I don't clog this thread up.

[Boaters]

^^^^^Very Cool The boys that are much more knowledgeable will chime in for sure ^^^^^

[miamiclay]

One thing in the meantime - When removing the bracelet to see the serial and reference numbers, use a wooden toothpick or something similar, not metal. Probably another scratch wouldn’t matter, but it’s easy enough to avoid.

As you are in Miami, I would get it looked at and appraised for insurance by Matt Bain on Michigan Ave. on the Beach. DM me if you want any other info about him.

And congratulations, this is the sort of thing folks here literally dream about. Your abuelito did you right!

[Rebel]

That is one very nice watch. Family owned to boot. Wow.

[Rockk]

Interesting, or maybe not so interesting, development: this morning, I went to check on the watch to see if it's still ticking after about a day and a half of ticking after manually winding it about 30 times and it wasn't, which I'm told is about normal. However, I picked it up and shook it lightly (because I feel like I remember it starting up after shaking it the first time I picked it up) and sure enough the second hand starting ticking, but only for a little. Is this normal? I thought manual winding didn't work like that? Thanks for the feedback.

[1665fan]

Finally a grandfather with a real watch!!!

[BigBlue1]

It uses clutches to capture the motion of the rotor when the weight moves in either direction. The captured motion is then used to wind the mainspring, and thus keep the watch running. It absorbs the power.

[Rockk]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

It uses clutches to capture the motion of the rotor when the weight moves in either direction. The captured motion is then used to wind the mainspring, and thus keep the watch running. It absorbs the power.

Is that technical-speak for "manual-winding watches can run if you shake them"?

[Rockk]

Further update on this crazyness: I am talking to one of Hodinkee's Vintage Managers about my watch. He saw the reddit post and offered to tell me more about the watch, including some of the dos and don'ts for vintage watch care.

[BigBlue1]

Yes. You should be able to just wear the watch naturally and the continuous motion will swing the weight and move the rotor. You do not have to shake it. I would since it’s been sitting idle for some time, wait to have it serviced before you try shaking it. I would as people have said in past posts, send it to a vintage watchmaker ( Do Not Send It To Rolex). I would recommend LA WatchWorks and or Phillip Ridley. Great choices.
Nana

[Kingface66]

Originally Posted by BigBlue1

Yes. You should be able to just wear the watch naturally and the continuous motion will swing the weight and move the rotor. You do not have to shake it. I would since it’s been sitting idle for some time, wait to have it serviced before you try shaking it. I would as people have said in past posts, send it to a vintage watchmaker ( Do Not Send It To Rolex). I would recommend LA WatchWorks and or Phillip Ridley. Great choices.
Nana

I believe you’re describing an automatic movement. Not a manual movement like on this one.

[BigBlue1]

My bad Andy. I didnt realize this watch was a Manual. So I guess every 1 or 2 days it should be wound. I would advise you have it serviced first. You will have to wind this watch I believe every time it isnt running to get it running as it isn’t like an automatic that runs with wrist movements.

[Rockk]

Originally Posted by Kingface66

I believe you’re describing an automatic movement. Not a manual movement like on this one.

Right, that's why I was confused to begin with. Shaking the watch a bit gets it to start ticking... but that shouldn't happen, right? It only ticks for a little, maybe a few seconds, at most. Is that normal?

[bazamu]

Originally Posted by Rockk

Right, that's why I was confused to begin with. Shaking the watch a bit gets it to start ticking... but that shouldn't happen, right? It only ticks for a little, maybe a few seconds, at most. Is that normal?

Yes, that's normal

[Juhuatai]

Shaking the watch should not make it tick. I'd get someone to open up the back to make sure the watch is authentic.

[shaunylw]

Originally Posted by Rockk

Right, that's why I was confused to begin with. Shaking the watch a bit gets it to start ticking... but that shouldn't happen, right? It only ticks for a little, maybe a few seconds, at most. Is that normal?

Get it to a vintage specialist. Your wearing near 6 figures.


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[Phrank]

Originally Posted by Rockk

Right, that's why I was confused to begin with. Shaking the watch a bit gets it to start ticking... but that shouldn't happen, right? It only ticks for a little, maybe a few seconds, at most. Is that normal?

Couple of seconds left in the spring I'm thinking...shaking just wound out that old spring a bit?

The tech experts will weigh in....

[77T]

Originally Posted by Phrank

Couple of seconds left in the spring I'm thinking...shaking just wound out that old spring a bit?



The tech experts will weigh in....

An old spring in a dirty or dry barrel can bind slightly such that some jarring will release a slight amount of tension that was still present...

Haven’t seen enough clear pics to be sure yet. I’ll look for them next.


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