A Deep Dive on the Rolex “Big Red”

The Rolex Daytona: A Collector’s Timepiece

The Daytona instantly became a staple of the Rolex catalog when it debuted in 1963. Over the years, the collection has notched some milestone moments for the Rolex brand. Models like the Paul Newman Daytonas of the 1960s and 70s helped solidify the collection and brand’s place in history. Then came the El Primero Daytonas of the 1980s, which marked the brand’s first collection of automatic chronographs. By the new millennium, Rolex had introduced their own in-house chronograph caliber into the collection. It wasn’t long before the Daytona officially became a collector’s timepiece.

What Makes the Daytona Collectible?

So, what makes a particular Daytona model collectible? We’ve already named a few reasons, like celebrity status or a special movement. However, there are other Daytona variations that are highly coveted but much less obvious to the unseasoned eye. For instance, take the Reference 116508 that debuted just a few years ago in 2016. Collectors have deemed this model highly prized for its entirely yellow gold construction and unique green dial. Like many of the now-collectible models before it, people didn’t think much of the Ref. 116508 when it first launched. It would take time and another celebrity endorsement before this iteration of the model became collectible. Music legend and watch fanatic John Mayer called the Ref. 116508 a “sleeper hit.” Then, the model became an overnight sensation. Still, sometimes you have to dig a bit deeper to understand the power of a particular model. Again, it’s not always so obvious. The perfect example of such a model is the Daytona “Big Red.”

Rolex Daytona “Big Red”

We already know the 1970s and 80s were a sweet spot for the Daytona. The “Big Red” may very well represent the sweetest. This iteration of the Daytona, reference 6265, came around 1978 and remained in production for about ten years. It gets its name from the distinctive and bold red lettering spelling out “DAYTONA” above the register at six-o’clock. The “Big Red” is hard to miss. Let’s dig into the particulars of this model, and you can be the judge of how it measures up.

The Movement

We’ll start from the inside out. The Daytona “Big Red” houses the Valjoux 727 hand-wound mechanical movement. No, it’s not a Rolex in-house movement. No, it’s not the automatic movement of the El Primero Daytonas or other contemporary variations. This is a classic column wheel construction chronograph movement with seventeen jewels and a 48-hour power reserve. This is absolutely not a modern movement. In fact, quite the opposite – it’s vintage, and that’s part of its appeal. Believe it or not, many collectors enjoy or even prefer a manually wound movement to an automatic one.

The Design

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While the movement may be a bit more polarizing, the design is where the “Big Red” really comes to life. The 40mm construction is the perfect example of how this model straddles vintage and contemporary elements. This is dare-we-say the perfect size. It’s not the stuff of monstrous modern models nor the now-petite models past. It’s not too big, not too small – it’s just right. This build in combination with the robust screw-down pushers and Oyster bracelet give this vintage model just enough contemporary appeal. It’s worth noting the switch from pump pushers to screw-down isn’t just aesthetic. The screw-down pushers, along with the Twinlock screw-down winding crown add to the model’s water resistance. Next, we have a unique stainless steel tachymeter bezel design. This coupled with a somewhat monochromatic silver dial, applied crown, and indices really make the black registers pop like a panda dial. Lastly, a telltale vintage element is the acrylic crystal.

Closing Thoughts

In a way, the Daytona “Big Red” represents both the end and beginning of an era. It’s not quite a Paul Newman and not quite an El Primero. Instead, it combines some of the best of features old and new models into a seemingly perfect Daytona. At the end of the day, this is a model with history, presence, and character. If you’re smitten, you’re in luck. We have a Daytona “Big Red” in our inventory, and you can shop it right here.