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Daytona · 1971 to 1988
“Manual-Wind Daytona”
Grade A · 88/100Today's call: Buy
A: strong buy-and-hold. Ranked #9 of 129 references in The Crown Index vault.
| Original retail (1975) | $420 |
|---|---|
| Market today | $90,000 – $140,000 |
| Vs original retail | +27281% |
| 1-year trend | +4% |
The last manual-wind Daytona, with screw-down pushers and the famous 'Big Red' dial signature. Unsellable at $420 in the 1970s, six figures today.
Every component matters: pushers, bezel, dial, and bracelet are all checked against production-year correctness.
The last and best-loved manual Daytona: screw-down pushers, black acrylic bezel, 17 years of production that nobody wanted at the time. Dealers couldn't give them away in the early 80s; brokers now retire on them.
'Big Red' dials with the red DAYTONA signature are the canonical spec, and exotic 'Paul Newman' versions of this reference reach seven figures. The whole vintage Daytona pyramid rests on this watch and its 6265 twin.
Our verdict: Blue-chip vintage. Buy from a specialist with full documentation or not at all.
| Sizes | 37mm |
|---|---|
| Case & bracelet material | Oystersteel (stainless) |
| Factory bracelet | Oyster |
| Factory bezels | Black acrylic tachymeter |
| Notable dials | Silver; Black; 'Big Red' DAYTONA signature; Exotic Paul Newman (six figures) |
| Caliber | Valjoux 727 |
| Production | 1971 to 1988 (discontinued) |
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