The History of the Rolex Cosmograph part II : The screw down pushers

Nov 29, 2021,16:11 PM
 

The introduction of screw down pushers and a larger winding crown in the mid 1960’s changed both the aspect the status of the Rolex Cosmograph: although is still had the same diameter, the watch appeared bigger and more rugged. The mention Oyster on the dial was an additional part of pure Rolex DNA put into the watch.

 

1971 edition of the “24 hours of Daytona”

 

The first Cosmograph with screw down pushers was introduced in 1965 with reference 6240 powered by cal. 722 and its production continued until 1969. For this model, the mention Oyster reappeared on the dial of a chronograph: previously, it was only used on older chronographs with pump pushers to distinguish them from the models with square pushers.

 

Cosmograph ref. 6240 with tropical dial (Photo O&M)

 

The qualification Oyster – that guaranteed improved water resistance - was due to the presence of screw down pushers as well as a 7mm winding crown from the 700 series (instead of the 6mm from the 600 series mounted the Cosmographs with pump pushers). The pushers used for the reference 6240 are often referred to as the “prototype pushers” or the “fat pushers”; they will be used until the early 1970’s on the references 6263 and 6265.

 

Fat screw-down pushers for ref. 6240 and early ref. 6263/6265

 

The reference 6240 was mainly available with a black bakelite bezel, but according to M. Pisani it is quite probable that Rolex produced the first examples (1965/67) with a metal bezel also.

 

There is a debate among collectors to determine if the first 6240’s could have been issued without the mention Oyster on the dial. Some people admit it for very early examples and some others don’t want to hear about it. Here’s a one owner 6240 with a 1,29 million serial number, a 6239 caseback and a 72B movement: the dial does not carry the word Oyster

 

 

Early Cosmograph ref. 6240

 

The production of the final version of the manual wound  Cosmograph  started in 1971 with the references 6263 and 6265, powered by cal. 727 (21,600 bph) and with a case featuring screw down pushers. The production stopped in 1978, but the most recent examples have cases with a number of over 9 digits (1986 to 1987) because the cases where only numbered at the moment the watch went into circulation.

 

Early 1970’s Cosmograph ref. 6265 with white “ s” dial and “fat” pushers (Photo A. Shear)

 

The only difference between the two references is the bezel: bakelite for the 6263 and stainless steel for the 6265.

 

Cosmograph ref. 6263 with white “ s” dial and service pushers (Photo A. Shear)

 

As for the dials, they were either black matt or satin-finish silvered. For the gold watches, they were black or champagne with matt finishing.

 

Late 1970’s Cosmograph ref. 6263 with black dial and red Daytona (Photo A. Shear)

 

In spite of these improvements, the Cosmograph never became a great seller. In the mid1980’s, Rolex decided that it was time to “upgrade” the watch to the “level” of the other toolwatches of the brand, that had bigger cases and sapphire crystals.

 

Booklet for the Cosmograph ref. 6263

 

Early 1970’s race on the Daytona Speedway

 

Acknowledgements: M. Pisani

 

 

 

 

 

 

This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2009-04-24 08:33:19 This message has been edited by DrStrong on 2009-04-28 01:15:38


More posts: 62396240626362656542DaytonaGMT Master

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Please do not do this to me ;-) I forgotten them a long time ago...

 
 By: PoyFR : April 24th, 2009-06:21
Fantastic work! Thank you for sharing it... and do not forget to keep them rolling ;-) for me it is a pleasure reading about them as I once was all over them all. Here are some scans of La Revue des Montres 'Stephan Ceijka' 1992 FRONT COVER OF No7 La Revu...  

NICE work Jeff....

 
 By: Philipps : April 24th, 2009-08:05
g Best Philipp...  

That's Cosmograph extravaganza ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:19
No message body

Maybe you will fall again someday ?

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:18
thanks for the kind words Yves. Cheers Jeff

Thanks JEFF.... great post! LOVE them! Style-Icon no1... and....

 
 By: bullibeer : April 26th, 2009-23:51
Here are some that triggered my wrist..... Had to let go of some... but they will always stay in my heart!!!!!!!! 6265 FAP Tropical Tropical 6263 Sigma dial 6263 Big Red 6263 some others......  

This is what I call GREAT pictures...thanks !

 
 By: DrStrong : April 27th, 2009-01:12
you've have among the most terrific Cosmographs around...Wow ! Cheers Jeff

Another very interesting reading, Jeff

 
 By: amanico : April 24th, 2009-08:16
The World of the Daytona is a bit complex, and this kind of write up is very helpful, indeed. What's next? Best, my friend. Nicolas

Newman dials will follow my friend...

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:20
it's mandatory ;-)

Thank you Jeff for your....

 
 By: kaiserfranz : April 24th, 2009-10:16
...interesting report. The right stuff for Daytona junkies Have a nice weekend Matthias

Brilliant post

 
 By: Oztimelord : April 24th, 2009-16:51
Jeff, Love reading your Daytona posts as they remind me as to why I love my Daytona collection. My 6263. One of my best pics Regards Rene...  

Great panda, a true Rolex classic ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:21
No message body

very great post!

 
 By: dayman : April 24th, 2009-19:37
It is one of the best posts I have read recently in most of the Rolex Forums. Sincerely waiting for your part 3 on 16520, part 4 on 116520,,,,,,,,,,,

thanks !

 
 By: Ryan5446 : April 24th, 2009-22:46
for the interesting info on the screw down pushers...  

Beautiful illustration of my point...

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:23
nice watch and gorgeous picture ! Cheers Jeff

Good work!

 
 By: smith : April 25th, 2009-06:10
Regards Smith...  

Thanks Jean Paul ;-) [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:24
No message body

Nice job, Jeff!

 
 By: E.J. : April 25th, 2009-09:45
A really great post, like always my friend. Thanks to this kind of post, we can look certanlly magnificient watches and know more about them. So, I must thank you for it. Best Emilio

Thanks a lot Emilio ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : April 25th, 2009-10:17
No message body

Thank you

 
 By: Quan : April 26th, 2009-04:33
thank you and thank you Jeff

My pleasure Quan [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : April 27th, 2009-01:09
No message body

more...

 
 By: Philipps : April 26th, 2009-12:43
g Rgrds.P...  

I ....See.

 
 By: amanico : April 26th, 2009-13:56
Wow, Philipps... You really want me to die! Speechless. Best, Nicolas

Moderators, these kind of post...

 
 By: E.J. : April 26th, 2009-14:11
must be deleted!.... LOL Phillips, do you want that we die for shock? Impressive collection, and a pleasure for us that you share it with us. Thanks. Best Emilio

The famous Roma flea market ;-) [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : April 27th, 2009-00:48
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Ohhh ??? Is that sooo ??

 
 By: bimbeano : April 27th, 2009-04:11

Goodness gracious...

 
 By: Davo : April 27th, 2009-04:44
now THAT's what I call a fine Rolex collection...

Simply wonderful work, Jeff! Really great...

 
 By: tomvox1 : April 26th, 2009-20:24
...research, photos and fantastic content--an extremely logical history and sweet eye candy to boot--thanks! Best regards, Tom

Thanks for the kind words Tom...

 
 By: DrStrong : April 27th, 2009-00:49
and good to see you around here my friend ! Cheers Jeff

Another excellent write up .many thanks [nt]

 
 By: watch-guy.com : April 27th, 2009-01:51
No message body

Excellent review Jeff ..

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : November 29th, 2021-17:29
Thanks for refreshing my memory on this subject. We just all have to take care out there with so many of these watches being messed around with due to sheer greed and deception.