A Technical Study of Big Eyes Dials for Daytona 6263 and 6265

A Technical Study of Big Eyes Dials for Daytona 6263 and 6265

The topic of BIG EYES dials for the Daytona 6263 and 6265 references has already been addressed by various experts and collectors.

The purpose of this brief guide is therefore to revisit this subject in detail, using high-quality photographs.

Although the Reference 6239 turned out to be a commercial flop when it was launched in 1963, the Rolex Daytona has since become a true icon among Rolex collectors.

An advertisement from the 1980s in which a watch dealer specifically stated that he did not purchase manually wound Daytonas

Some of the most well-known and beloved manual wound Daytona references among brand enthusiasts are those characterized by screw-down pushers, namely the 6263 and 6265.

A wonderful and rare Rolex Daytona 6263 with first series dials and pushers (Courtesy Jatucka)
A Rolex Daytona 6263 with Big Red dial (Andrea Piccinini Archive)

The References 6263 and 6265, produced from around 1969 to 1988, underwent several modifications over the years in various components: the crown and screw-down pushers were updated multiple times to improve water resistance. The bracelets, links, end links, and clasps were reinforced for greater durability against shocks and tears. The cases were enlarged and slightly redesigned, gradually abandoning the slender and elongated shapes of the early series.

Two different types of screw-down pushers appeared on the 6263 and 6265

However, References 6263 and 6265 were not only subject to technical improvements; the aesthetic components were also continuously refined to achieve perfect harmony among the various elements of the watch.

The bezel graphics were modernized from serifed to more contemporary fonts, the dial bases evolved from Grené to Matte and then to Sunburst, and the dial printings were repositioned on the dial multiple times.

A comparison between first and last series 6263 bezels

This series of updates and improvements led to the final versions of References 6263 and 6265, featuring the iconic red DAYTONA inscription positioned above the sub-dial at 6 o’clock.

A Rolex Daytona 6263 in its final version with a BIG RED dial (Andrea Piccinini Archive)

Today, I would like to draw your attention to a particular type of dial that was fitted on some rare examples of the 6263 and 6265 references in the early 1970s: the so-called BIG EYES dial.

The nickname BIG EYES was coined by Rolex collectors to highlight the fact that the chronograph sub-dials on this type of dial are larger than usual.

However, true BIG EYES dials are often confused with others that have similar characteristics but they are not.

One of the 6263/6265 dials that is often mistaken for a true BIG EYES

Let’s now review all the characteristics that a BIG EYES dial must have to be so named:

  1. As mentioned earlier, the sub-dials must be oversized.
  2. The “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph” inscription is positioned lower than usual, far apart from the applied crown.
  3. The “R” in Rolex has a very distinctive shape, typical of the early 6263 and 6265 models.
  4. The “T Swiss T” inscription should touch the the 6 o’clock sub-dial.
  5. Sigma (Goute à Prior) markings are sometimes present.
The characteristics of a true BIG EYES dial

If and only if all these features are present, we can say that we are looking at a genuine and rare First Series BIG EYES dial.

Here’s a useful comparison between a BIG EYES dial (left) and another similar 6263/6265 dial often confused with a true BIG EYES (right).

Comparison between BIG EYES and non-BIG EYES dials.

BIG EYES dials can be found in different variants in the steel References 6263 and 6265. The color combinations are essentially two, always with contrasting sub-dials.

Silver BIG EYES dial with black printed graphics, black sub-dials with silver graphics.
Black BIG EYES dial with silver printed graphics, silver sub-dials with black graphics

Some rare examples of BIG EYES dials can also display beautiful color change in the black paint.

An example of color change in a BIG EYES dial
Another BIG EYES dial with sub-dials that have turned brown

BIG EYES dials also exist for the 6263/6265 references in yellow gold.

A rare example of a black sigma BIG EYES dial with contrasting champagne sub-dials

You should now be able to independently distinguish a rare BIG EYES dial.

This article was written by me and published on the website of Roberto “Jatucka” Randazzo in 2019. I thank Roberto for allowing me to add it to the blog of my website.

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