Exclusive First Look: This Custom Daytona Is a Tribute To One of the World’s Rarest Rolexes
Tropical Thunder.
Artisans de Genève has done it again – the Geneva-based master craftsmen who came out with the world’s first custom skeleton dial Rolex Daytonas last year have created another bespoke timepiece in tribute to one of the rarest Rolexes of all time.
Maxim.com can exclusively reveal that the Tribute to 6240 Tropical, as it’s called, is an horological homage to the ultra-rare Rolex Ref. 6240 Daytona chronograph made from 1966-1969 with “tropical” or faded dial and sub-dials, original examples of which sell for around $200,000.
It took Artisans de Genève several years to come up with a natural oxidation process that would lead to a uniform patina echoing the fading on an original watch from the ’60s. And “tropical” is no mere catchphrase – each Tribute to 6240 dial will in fact be sent to the Bahamas to age in the tropical climate there.
Only 15 examples of the Tribute to 6240 Tropical will be offered for sale by special order to collectors worldwide for €31,260 or about $35,000 apiece; check it out here.
Based on the modern Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520, the Tribute to 6240 Tropical features a bespoke bakelite bezel, created using period-correct machinery. And the amount of patina can be specified depending on how long you choose to have ADG age your watch’s dial: five weeks for a dark patina (as pictured), and seven weeks for more of an amber tone.
Artisans de Genève has also replaced modern watch’s screw-down pushers with longer vintage-style “millerighe” pushers, entirely crafted in their workshops. The case of the Tribute To 6240 Tropical has also been machined and finished by hand to give it the look of the original model.
And in their signature touch ADG has modified Rolex’s 4130 movement with their hand-made 22k rose gold rotor that can be seen through a transparent sapphire case back, bearing a Geneva Stripe pattern and circular polishing.
A 1960s Daytona may no longer be affordable for mere mortals, but this beauty has all the style and charisma with the reliability of a modern movement, and you probably won’t even have to take out a second mortgage.
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