Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE Geneva Saturday, May 11, 2019 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1969
    Reference No: 6239
    Case No: 2'004'745
    Model Name: Daytona "Paul Newman"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, one end link stamped 57, max length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped 3.67
    Dimensions: 36.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by an additional Rolex Mk 1 acrylic Daytona bezel.

  • Catalogue Essay

    An archetypal “Paul Newman” Daytona, this reference 6239 perfectly embodies the Hollywood legend. It is immediately recognizable thanks to its three-dimensional ivory dial with "Art Deco style" numerals. It was during the filming of “Winning” that Paul Newman fell in love with racing. His wife, Joanne Woodward, consequently gifted this exact Daytona variant to her husband, inscribed with phrase “DRIVE CAREFULLY ME”. It is thanks to this particular design that exotic-dialed Cosmographs are now synonymous with the philanthropic icon.

    Having resided in a private collection for many years, this timepiece is preserved in impressive condition and has aged gracefully over time. Showcasing full lugs, the satin finishes are crisp. The lug-holes remain a considerable distance from the edge of the case, evidence of its original condition. Most notably, this watch is offered with an additional acrylic Rolex "Mk 1" Daytona bezel in addition to the original one. Preferring the watch with black acrylic, the consigner had worn this timepiece often with the accompanying bezel in the past.

    Reference 6239 was introduced in 1963, which was a breakthrough year for Rolex. Named the "Cosmograph”, the model featured for the very first time a tachymeter scale on the bezel. While originally announced as the "Le Mans" it was eventually called "Daytona”.

  • 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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Ref. 6239
A rare, attractive and well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "Paul Newman" dial, bracelet and additional "Mk 1" acrylic bezel

Circa 1969
36.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF130,000 - 180,000 
€116,000-160,000
$131,000-181,000

Sold for CHF200,000

Contact Specialist
Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Sale
+ 41 79 637 1724
aghotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: NINE

Geneva Auction 11-12 May 2019