249 Rolex Very Well Preserved and Extremely Rare, Daytona Chronograph, Wristwatch in Steel, With Black Paul Newman “Musketeer” Dial, Reference 6239

Estimate: €180,000 –⁠ 360,000

Model: Daytona
Reference: 6239
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1969
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 722
Case N°: 2 046 790
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

Launched in 1963 as a new-generation chronograph, the Cosmograph soon gained the name that became the mark of an icon: Daytona. Designed as the ultimate tool for endurance racing drivers, the Cosmograph Daytona was robust, waterproof and featured a tachymetric scale on the bezel for calculating average speed. Nowadays, exactly 70 years later, manual winding Daytona are still one of the favorites among collectors. Whether they have screwed or pump pushers, they are absolutely on the watch to have in every collection and so is for the dials: 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. Rolex launched reference 6239 in 1962 as the very first Cosmograph Daytona model in their chronograph collection. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, it was the beginning of a legend, and today the Daytona is one of the most sought-after models with extensive wait lists at boutiques all over the world. Usually, Paul Newman dials have a concentric circle pattern on the flat subdials. Upon observation of this prestigious Cosmograph Daytona, one will notice that the subdials are “vessel shaped,” where the concentric circular threads extend towards the border covering most of the counter’s surface but are then met with a blank slanting track. This slope offers the traditional effect but at the same time distinguishes its dial from the rest of the well-known versions with its slight proportional difference to all future productions of the “Paul Newman” dials. Presented in excellent condition, this rare dial variation will surely appeal to the most discerning among Daytona collectors.