Incoming Daytona 6265 - plus 6263 bezel

[Bladeshot]

After much searching, a 6265 plus a bezel for a 6263 found their way to me.

Pausing to say thank you to 2 members who helped me ensure this watch met my needs.

I’ve been trying to land a 6263 for a couple of years. They kept skating out of reach at the last moment. I found this circa 1977 - 6265 and my friend Mike recommended I get that reference (with a steel bezel to enjoy every day). So, I got it! And when I mentioned to Springer that I finally found a Daytona 6265 he offered to source a 6263 bezel for me, so I could have the best of both worlds with both bezels. Double win!

A huge thanks to Phillip Ridley for checking the watch, servicing it, etc. It is always a pleasure to work with you!

And JP, thank you for making my 6263 desire possible, with an extra bezel!

This one brings a smile to my face and the original, steel bezel remains with it, to ensure the piece can be correct.

[Chester01]

Im not a fan at all of the modern Daytona. This however, this is a fantastic watch. Exceptionally legible, balanced, and just a fantastic look overall.

[1665fan]

Very nice! A grail for sure

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Very nice! A grail for sure

It does make a fine grail. TYVM

Originally Posted by Chester01

Im not a fan at all of the modern Daytona. This however, this is a fantastic watch. Exceptionally legible, balanced, and just a fantastic look overall.

I agree. It “had me at hello…”

[Trog]

Well done....lovely watch and pleasantly legible.

[Garywebster]

Beautiful

[Wahlberg]

Stunning watch!

Do you change the bezel yourself if you want to switch it up?

[swaini3]

Congrats.... beautiful reference. Enjoy

[brandrea]

Wow Grant, that is stunning … congratulations

We could use a state of your collection photo

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Trog

Well done....lovely watch and pleasantly legible.

Originally Posted by Garywebster

Beautiful

TYVM

Originally Posted by Wahlberg

Stunning watch!
Do you change the bezel yourself if you want to switch it up?

Thank you! I’ve never changed a Daytona bezel so I would ask my local watchmaker to do it. He’s done hundreds. Vintage bezels on GMT and Sub are no problem for me to change. But I would want help changing this one.

[swish77]

Super nice! Welcome to the four-digit Daytona club! What's the beginning of the serial number?

As you probably know, sourcing a correct 6263 bezel is incredibly difficult (and expensive)! Great job by JP!

[FrenchBigCrown]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

After much searching, a 6265 plus a bezel for a 6263 found their way to me.

Pausing to say thank you to 2 members who helped me ensure this watch met my needs.

I’ve been trying to land a 6263 for a couple of years. They kept skating out of reach at the last moment. I found this circa 1977 - 6265 and my friend Mike recommended I get that reference (with a steel bezel to enjoy every day). So, I got it! And when I mentioned to Springer that I finally found a Daytona 6265 he offered to source a 6263 bezel for me, so I could have the best of both worlds with both bezels. Double win!

A huge thanks to Phillip Ridley for checking the watch, servicing it, etc. It is always a pleasure to work with you!

And JP, thank you for making my 6263 desire possible, with an extra bezel!

This one brings a smile to my face and the original, steel bezel remains with it, to ensure the piece can be correct.

Congratulations!

Health to enjoy.

[subx]

beautiful and crisp dial Daytona , enjoy it !

[rmlovett1]

Gorgeous Daytona! Congrats and enjoy!

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by swish77

Super nice! Welcome to the four-digit Daytona club! What's the beginning of the serial number?
As you probably know, sourcing a correct 6263 bezel is incredibly difficult (and expensive)! Great job by JP!

Thank you, Aaron! Yep, JP is a rock star sourcing things.
Serial is 5.5M.

Originally Posted by FrenchBigCrown

Congratulations!
Health to enjoy.

TYVM!

Originally Posted by subx

beautiful and crisp dial Daytona , enjoy it !

Originally Posted by Richris1

Gorgeous Daytona! Congrats and enjoy!

Thank you, Richard!

[Jackie Daytona]

Beautiful watch! Congrats! Really great look to it as well with the added bezel.

[zapokee]

Splendid. You just killed the whole collection.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by Dontknow

Beautiful watch! Congrats! Really great look to it as well with the added bezel.

Thank you!

Originally Posted by zapokee

Splendid. You just killed the whole collection.

Thank you very much. It’s already hard to pick one and this makes it harder.

[L.K Johnson]

Congratulations! Looks to be in great shape!! Looking forward to more wristies!!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Serial is 5.5M.

Interesting how some of these 6263/5 dials are quite silver and others are more cream/ivory. Perhaps different dial manufacturers.

Mine is a 6.0 serial, so not far from yours, but the look of the dial is different, with virtually no sunburst effect, just a slight silvery iridescence.

[Cloudchaser]

Incredible watch, Grant!

Congrats!

[indianmachine]

looks great, congrats! Is the bezel easy to swap out?

[swish77]

Originally Posted by indianmachine

looks great, congrats! Is the bezel easy to swap out?

Yes. I’ve done it on my 6263. It’s risky, but as long as you’re super careful, it’s doable. I used a razor blade and electrical tape to protect the case.

Bezel popped off with moderate force from the razor blade under the bezel, and installation requires even pressure with your thumbs, also with moderate force. It clicks back into place, and you need to make sure the “60” on the bezel is perfectly aligned at 12 o’clock.

You also need to be careful to keep the crystal on the watch the whole time. It can pop off when the bezel is removed unless you hold it in place.

[Watchcollector123]

Super �� congratulations

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by L.K Johnson

Congratulations! Looks to be in great shape!! Looking forward to more wristies!!

Thank you!

Originally Posted by swish77

Interesting how some of these 6263/5 dials are quite silver and others are more cream/ivory. Perhaps different dial manufacturers.

Mine is a 6.0 serial, so not far from yours, but the look of the dial is different, with virtually no sunburst effect, just a slight silvery iridescence.

I think it also depends on light and angle. I’ll keep adding shots. I really noticed a different ivory vs white color on these 2 shots.

Originally Posted by Cloudchaser

Incredible watch, Grant!
Congrats!

TYVM

Originally Posted by indianmachine

looks great, congrats! Is the bezel easy to swap out?

It is easy to swap. But I don’t think I’ll plan to swap it. I very much wanted the look of the 6263. And I have found that the more I mess with things on vintage, the more unexpected accidents occur.

Aaron has a great point about the crystal popping off when changing the bezel. That’s exactly what I meant about things going wrong, above! Better to leave things alone.

Originally Posted by Watchcollector123

Super �� congratulations

Thank you!

[springer]

Grant, that is one killer Daytona with the best of both both worlds. Damn nice. It would be right at home here in Texas when its ready to move on.

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by springer

Grant, that is one killer Daytona with the best of both both worlds. Damn nice. It would be right at home here in Texas when its ready to move on.

Thank you, JP!

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Bladeshot

Thank you, JP!

Not to hijack this great incoming thread, but man, some incredibly strong vintage Daytona auction results this week.

Here's a late '70s silver dial 6265 (the "floating" variety with a service crystal), similar to the OP's watch in condition and age, that sold for close to $160K, well more than double the presale estimate. Not even a full set!

https://www.phillips.com/detail/role...5&searchPage=1

Interestingly, a black 6265, also from the late '70s, sold for a lot less, at about $90000, which is still strong for a 6265. The condition wasn't quite as nice as the other one, but not sure it was $70K less. Perhaps the silver dials are more sought after nowadays and/or someone was willing to pay a lot more for the "floating" dial:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/role...5&searchPage=1

[Boaters]

What a beauty I love The vintage Daytona 6263 and 6265 are just the best. BIG CONGRATS what A beauty. And a little added help from the A TEAM folks..

[Bladeshot]

Originally Posted by swish77

Not to hijack this great incoming thread, but man, some incredibly strong vintage Daytona auction results this week.

Here's a late '70s silver dial 6265 (the "floating" variety with a service crystal), similar to the OP's watch in condition and age, that sold for close to $160K, well more than double the presale estimate. Not even a full set!

https://www.phillips.com/detail/role...5&searchPage=1

Interestingly, a black 6265, also from the late '70s, sold for a lot less, at about $90000, which is still strong for a 6265. The condition wasn't quite as nice as the other one, but not sure it was $70K less. Perhaps the silver dials are more sought after nowadays and/or someone was willing to pay a lot more for the "floating" dial:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/role...5&searchPage=1

Those are stunning prices. The case on the first one looks strong! I’ll be wearing mine tomorrow. Such a great hobby!

Originally Posted by Boaters

What a beauty I love The vintage Daytona 6263 and 6265 are just the best. BIG CONGRATS what A beauty. And a little added help from the A TEAM folks..

Thank you, Mike! It brings a smile.