10 Rolex Absolutely Exceptional and Very Attractive, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Yellow Gold, With Champagne “Paul Newman” Dial, Reference 6239

Estimate: €500,000 –⁠ 1,000,000

Model: Daytona
Reference: 6239
Case Material: Yellow Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 1968
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 722
Case N°: 1 938 075
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

The Rolex Daytona is nowadays one of the most, if not the most, sought after wristwatch by collectors and neophytes all over the world. Be it manual or automatic, the race for this specific model has now reached record levels. It is interesting to note how the name Daytona has now entered the collective language to describe a certain watch but the story could have been very different since initially the name used was that of Le Mans, except then opt for the city of Florida for business reasons. The very first model of the iconic Cosmograph Daytona family was the reference 6239, launched approximately in 1963 and discontinued in 1969. Equipped with the manual calibers 72B (all 1965) and later the 722, it was available in stainless steel or alternatively 18 k like the present lot or 14 k yellow gold and what differentiated this model from the previous 6238 was the presence of a bezel with already engraved the tachometer scale. It is assumed that around 14 000 specimens of this reference were produced and only 300 were made in 18 kt gold, a very small part, it should also be emphasized that only a part of these was equipped with this particular exotic dial which will later be called “Paul Newman” by the actor who has always worn it on his wrist. 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 offered in this auction is a very nice and beautiful example of Daytona 6239: realized in 18 kt yellow gold, this watch has been carefully preserved in very good conditions, with still its pump pushers, its twin lock winding crown of 6 mm wide and the very fresh and crisp yellow gold graduated bezel but, of course, the whole watch is highlighted by the presence of an exceptionally well-preserved Paul Newman dial. It offers the very appreciable champagne background and black recessed subsidiary counters with champagne minutes/seconds, outer black track and black Daytona signature at six o’clock. This watch represents an extremely rare opportunity to acquire one of the “Holy Grail” models for vintage Rolex collectors and is one of the very few to have been manufactured with this exotic and charming configuration.