234 Rolex Extremely Rare and Very Well Preserved, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, With “Paul Newman” Dial, Reference 6241, Received From the Family of the Original Owner

Estimate: € 180.000 –⁠ 360.000

Model: Daytona Reference: 6241 Case Material: Stainless Steel Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel Year: 1970 Movement: Manual Caliber: 722 Case N°: 2 371 127 Dimensions: 37 mm Signed: Dial, movement and case Manual winding Daytona are still one of the favorites among collectors. As known, they can be divided in categories based on some of their characteristics: by caliber, four later references featuring caliber 727 (launched in the late 1960s) and three earlier models featuring earlier calibers (72B, 722, 722-1). Based on the type of bezel: steel/gold for 6239/6262 and 6265 or acrylic for 6240, 6241.6264 and 6263. For screw-down pushers (6240, 6263 and 6265) or pump pushers (all the other references). But also, and mainly, for their style of dial: classical or the iconic “Paul Newman” version. Presumably destined for the American market, but immediately loved by the Italians too, the Daytona “Paul Newman” is one of the most fascinating phenomena in the watch collecting market. The lot here offered is a gorgeous example of reference 6241 in stainless steel: presented in 1966 sports a slightly wider metal bezel that, for the first time, had an acrylic insert and is part of that brunch of Daytona’s powered by the caliber 722. The stainless steel case with screw downtick is fairly preserved but, of course, the whole watch is highlighted by the presence of an exceptionally well-preserved Paul Newman dial. As expected for a 6241 with circa 2 million serial numbers, the T Swiss T designation is in “sing-a-song” style, with shorter extremities and taller center. It offers the very appreciable black background and white recessed subsidiary counters with red minutes/seconds outer track and red Daytona signature. Coming directly from the family of the original owner that kept the watch safely for many years, this 6241 is the nom-plus-ultra for watch collectors in terms of both quality and provenance.