Introduced in 1971 as a major update to Rolex’s chronograph line, the Daytona 6263 was a race-ready watch. It featured a 37mm oyster case, screw-down pushes and crown, an upgraded movement, and a fixed black acrylic tachymeter bezel.
This prized collectors item was discontinued around the late 1980s, meaning there are very limited numbers in rotation.
Rolex enthusiasts nicknamed the two variations of the now rare 6263: the “Big Red” Daytona and the “Little Red” Daytona.
In this blog, we will break down the major differences between these two timepieces.
“Big Red” Daytona vs “Little Red” Daytona Dial Differences
In 1975, Rolex began printing the words “Daytona” in red above the 6 o’clock subdial, which birthed the “Big Red” and “Little Red” variations of the model.
“Big Red” was classified by the large, bold lettering of the word “Daytona,” while the “Little Red” referred to the version with a much smaller inscription. This smaller iteration notably was a replacement or service dial at the time.
Aside from the size and prominence of the word “Daytona” at the 6 o’clock on the dial, both of these watches are practically identical.
“Big Red” Daytona and “Little Red” Daytona Market Value
On the vintage Rolex market, the “Big Red” is more coveted and has a much higher value, since it is the "original" and "untouched" version of the Daytona 6263.
One in pristine condition sells in the high five to six-figure range.
For example, a mint-conditioned “Big Red” Daytona can sell for around $250,000. One from Paul Newman’s personal collection sold for $5.48 million at auction in 2020.
On the other hand, the “Little Red” holds less value, since it is a replacement dial, and can sell for significantly less.
Still, these models have collector significance and can fetch a market value around $60,000.
Is "Big Red" or "Little Red" a Better Investment?
Collectors overwhelmingly prefer the “Big Red” Daytona 6263 over the “Small Red” Daytona 6263. The large red lettering speaks to the watch’s originality, showing that the watch has remained untouched since its production in the early 1970s to 1980s.
In contrast, the “Little Red” Daytona 6263 does not have anywhere near the same demand.
This seemingly small detail on a watch reflects that Rolex collectors value originality above all else when it comes to vintage watches.
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Which Daytona 6263 do you prefer? Comment Below!
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