Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE Hong Kong Monday, November 30, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1969
    Reference No: 6264
    Case No: 2’357’390
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona ''Paul Newman''
    Material: 18k yellow gold
    Calibre: Automatic, 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, 170 mm. maximum length, end links stamped 57
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k yellow gold Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex SA 1.69
    Dimensions: 37.5 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex service card and receipt dated 24 July 2012, original Oyster Cosmograph Daytona instruction manual, product literature, period Rolex green leather passport wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
    Literature: For another reference 6264 "Paul Newman" however cased in 14k gold and with a citric tone dial, please see Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, page 316 and 317.

  • Catalogue Essay

    This example, also known as the "John Player Special" is quite literally, breathtaking. The correct yellow gold Oyster bracelet stamped 1.69 is in terrific condition and is original to the watch. The case is extraordinary, with the correct satin finishes and extremely crisp milled band to the case back. The reference and case numbers can be seen without the aid of a loupe, and the black insert has hardly any sign of wear. Then, we come to the dial. This "Paul Newman" dial is remarkable. The step is very prominent, the concentric circles within the subsidiary dials clearly visible. The luminous dots sit wonderfully on the outer track, but then overlap to reveal the step and sit on top of the black center of the dial.

    All of these features come together and present us with a mind blowing "John Player Special".

    The Rolex Daytona was first introduced in 1963 in the form of the reference 6239. Over the past 50 years, the Daytona has evolved and Rolex has manufactured many references with different dials and case configuration. Of the Daytona series, the most collectible and sought after variants are those fitted with exotic dials or as the market has lovely nicknamed them ‘Paul Newman’ dials.

    Most commonly found, mounted on a reference 6239, those fitted to the rarer references has sky rocketed in value in recent years, mainly due to the knowledge on the market.

    The present lot, a Rolex Daytona reference 6264 was manufactured for roughly 3 years only, being introduced in the late 1960s and discontinued in approximately 1972. The condition and quality is outstanding and places this ‘Paul Newman’ at the very top of the tree.

  • 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. 6264
A fine and extremely rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, “Paul Newman” and fitted presentation box

Circa 1969
37.5 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$2,500,000 - 3,500,000 

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: ONE

Hong Kong Auction 1 December 2015 11am