150 Rolex Exceedingly Rare, Attractive and Very Well Preserved, Daytona, Chronograph Wristwatch in Steel, Black Paul Newman Dial, Retailed by Tiffany & Co, With Tiffany Confirmation Letter, Reference 6239

Estimate: €500,000 –⁠ 1,000,000

Model: Daytona
Reference: 6239
Case Material: Stainless Steel
Bracelet Material: Stainless Steel
Year: 1969
Movement: Manual
Caliber: 722-1
Case N°: 1 781 949
Dimensions: 37 mm
Signed: Dial, Movement and Case
Accessories: Tiffany Confirmation Letter and Pucci Papaleo’s Confirmation Letter
Literature: Sold at Phillips “Geneva Watch Auction: EIGHT—Geneva Auctions 10–11 November 2018” as lot 132A for CHF 540,500 This specific watch is published in Pucci Papaleo’s Book “Ultimate Rolex Daytona” at Page 180–183

Chronographs first appeared in the Rolex catalog in 1937 utilizing movements from Valjoux. The initial single button two register pieces were soon followed by the now-familiar configuration of two buttons and three registers. The arrival of the Ref 6239 and 6241 are particularly notable as they brought significant change. While the case remained the same as the 6238, Rolex introduced the use of inverted colors for the chronograph sub dial. The tachymeter scale was moved from the dial on to the watch-enlarged bezel, increasing the watch diameter of 1 mm, a small change that made a significant visual difference. This change provided an increased dial plate for more varied and intricate design, such as the “exotic” dials, manufactured and supplied by Singer and with either a 2-colored dial in white or black or a 3-colored dial in white or black with red accents, as seen on the current example. These exotic dials were later to become known as “Paul Newman” dial. It is characterized by its square markers in the chronograph scale and subsidiary dials, as well as the alternating patterning of the coloration. At the time, these exotic dial variants proved less popular, and so were sold in significantly fewer numbers than those with standard dials. Now the situation has completely reversed and Paul Newman dials are definitely the most desired configuration for a Daytona. What makes the present lot even more unusual and rare is not only its exotic black configuration with “T Swiss T” printed in slanted script, but mainly the 3rd line of text found on this watch: the Tiffany & Co signature. This brand is undoubtedly the most historic, iconic and prestigious luxury retailer in the United States. Few companies have captured the public imagination to such an extent as Tiffany & Co. Its relationship with watches goes back to their earliest days, and they have reserved their horological partnership to the world’s two most preeminent watch brands, Patek Philippe and Rolex. Tiffany & Co stamped Daytonas of any era some of the rarest and most desired vintage watches on the market, and in this instance, found on a black Paul Newman dial of such a rare reference, in such condition and with Tiffany’s official letter confirming its sale at their boutique in April 1969, makes this a unique opportunity for collectors. Furthermore, just to make much clearer the importance of this watch, it has also been published in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo.