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In the previous post on our blog we highlighted the main  useful elements for identifying a service dial for Daytona References 6263 and 6265.

In particular, we have identified and highlighted the main differences between a “Small Red Daytona” supply dial and a “Big Red Daytona” original dial.

These , we remember, mainly consist in the size and narrowness of the Daytona writing, in the font of the chronograph sub-dials, and in the presence or absence of serifs in the graphics.

Once these important elements have been clarified, we can now further develop the subject.

Specifically, today we will talk about the only currently known exception to the fact that the “Small Red Daytona” is a supply dial for Daytona references 6263 and 6265.

In fact, even if fairly unknown by the collectors community, a variant of the “Small Red Daytona” dial was fitted as original equipment in the very last production of 6263/6265 serial R.

Let’s immediately see this this dial.

FRONT :

BACK :

3 O’CLOCK SUB-DIAL :

6 O’CLOCK SUB-DIAL AND DAYTONA WRITING DETAIL :

As we can notice from this series of Macro Shots, the Daytona writing is still small and narrow, but the the chronograph sub-dials fonts are thicker and the graphics come with much more serifs.

This variant it has so far been noted only in the configuration with Silver Soleil dial.

At the moment we have not been able to identify a dial with the same features in the black version.

Unusual fact, but consistent with the commercial dynamics of the time.

Probably the Silver Soleil version was the most requested and in the face of a high demand further prints of it were made at the end of the 80’s to equip the very last 6263/6265 produced.

The “cliché” used for those dials is definitely characterized by “Mixed Graphics”.

By “Mixed Graphics” we mean that graphics and fonts are a mixture between the “Small Red Daytona” and the “Big red Daytona” dials.

The Daytona writing is narrow, small and very similar to the one in “Small Red Daytona” dials, but the sub-dials fonts and serifs are basically identical to those of the “Big Red Daytona” dials.

These differences and similarities can be observed by the following comparisons between a “Big Red Dial”, a “Small Red Dial” and this unusual “Mixed Graphics Dial”.

FRONT :

BACK :

3 O’CLOCK SUB-DIALS :

6 O’CLOCK SUB-DIALS AND DAYTONA WRITING DETAIL :

The Daytona reference 6263 and 6265 with this unusual “Mixed Graphics Dial “ were noticed in very few specimens of reliable provenance.

The dial that we have analyzed today is certainly very interesting for the study of the evolution of the Daytona Reference 6263 and 6265 dials,  also for the most experienced collectors.

Thanks for your attention, see you next time!