Racing driver Vic Elford spotted wearing a Rolex

In 1968, Rolex began a tradition of presenting Cosmograph Daytona chronographs to winners of the 24 Hours of Daytona endurance race. Vic Elford, the British racing driver who piloted a Porsche 907 to victory that year, received one of the earliest documented examples—a steel Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239. The photograph shows Elford displaying the watch in its original box, with the distinctive cushion case and tachymeter bezel characteristic of early Daytona production. This specific reference represents a pivotal moment in both motorsport history and Rolex's factory award programme.

The ref. 6239, produced from 1965 to 1969, utilizes the manually wound Valjoux 72 chronograph calibre, a three-register movement offering 12-hour chronograph capability and 60-minute and 30-minute subdials. The case measures 37 mm in diameter—compact by modern standards—machined from stainless steel with a tachymeter bezel calibrated to 400 units per hour. The dial presents the classic matte black finish with applied indices and Mercedes-style hands, while the Oyster bracelet with folded links and solid end links ensures period-correct construction. Water resistance stands at 100 metres, sufficient for daily wear but not dive-rated.

The 6239 occupies a unique collector position as the last reference to employ the Valjoux 72 movement before Rolex's transition to the in-house calibre 4030 in 1969. Award watches carry additional historical weight: factory-presented examples typically bear engraving on the case back and arrive in presentation packaging, elevating provenance and desirability. Elford's example saw active racing use across multiple event victories, imparting genuine wear and historical authenticity prized by serious collectors.

Elford's ownership spanned decades of competitive racing. The watch subsequently entered the celebrated Porsche collection of comedian Jerry Seinfeld, himself an accomplished horologist and automotive enthusiast. Seinfeld featured the Daytona during an episode of his web series "Comedians in Cars Getting Coffee," publicly crediting Elford in the episode credits—a rare public acknowledgement of an award watch's racing lineage. Phillips Watches offered the watch at auction in December, presenting collectors an opportunity to acquire one of the sport's most historically significant Rolex chronographs.

Factory award Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 examples command premiums substantially above standard production variants, with grey-market valuations ranging between $150,000 and $250,000 depending on condition and provenance documentation. This particular example's dual celebrity ownership—Elford and Seinfeld—combined with its competition history and public exhibition create exceptional rarity. Daytona ref. 6239 specimens with racing provenance remain among the most sought chronographs in the secondary market.