Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XII Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1968
    Reference No: 6241 inside caseback stamped 6239
    Case No: 1'766'150
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex buckle
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Reference 6241 was produced approximately from 1966 to 1969. Scholars estimate that no more than 3000 pieces were produced during the model’s manufacture period, and only a small part of them with “Paul Newman” dials.

    While its dial configuration is identical to Paul Newman’s “Paul Newman” watch, it also boasts mocha ‘tropical’ registers that have aged beautifully. As with all correct ‘tropical’ dials, the white graphics inside the counters are clear and bright, showing they have not been meddled with. A mix between black and brown, the registers have the potential to become even more brown, intense and rich with time. The ivory portion of the dial has also aged gracefully and exhibits an even vanilla tone.

    The “Paul Newman” dials of references 6239 and 6241 have several peculiarities. They are incredibly three dimensional, featuring a step between the outer register and the main background. Towards the end of the 1960s, the “T Swiss T” designation positioned at 6 o’clock was printed with a slight slant and thus dubbed the “sing-a-song” to collectors, which we see on this example. Later generation dials would feature a flatter “T Swiss T” script, no longer in a pyramid shape.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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132

Ref. 6241 inside caseback stamped 6239
A rare and very attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "Paul Newman" dial and mocha "tropical" subsidiary registers

Circa 1968
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
CHF150,000 - 250,000 
€139,000-232,000
$163,000-272,000

Sold for CHF327,600

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East

41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XII

Geneva Auction 6 - 7 November 2020