835
Rolex
Ref. 6263, inside case back stamped 6262
Cosmograph Daytona, 'Paul Newman'
An exceptionally rare and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with ‘Oyster Sotto’ dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$4,800,000 - 9,600,000$600,000 - 1,200,000
HK$5,840,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1970
- Reference No
- 6263, inside case back stamped 6262
- Case No
- 2'200'329
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona, 'Paul Newman'
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Mechanical, 727, 17jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster</em> bracelet, 180 mm. maximum length
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex</em> folding deployant clasp stamped 78
- Dimensions
- 37.5 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The most exclusive and sought-after variant of reference 6263 is, with great certainty, the ‘Oyster Sotto Paul Newman’. In fact, Rolex scholars estimate that less than 20 examples have ever graced the market.
The phrase 'Oyster Sotto', or ‘Oyster Beneath’ in Italian, signifies the correct dial configuration of a reference 6263 ‘Paul Newman’ with three- color black dial. A correct black dial is always printed ‘Rolex Cosmograph Oyster’, as opposed to ‘Rolex Oyster Cosmograph’, the latter of which is correct for a ‘Paul Newman Panda’ with white dial. The black ‘Oyster Sottos’ are the rarest among all Paul Newmans ever produced.
It is interesting to note that ‘Oyster Sotto’ dials were fitted to the earliest 6263s, which newly featured waterproof screw down pushers. The dials were originally fitted to non-waterproof references 6262 or 6264, which bore ‘Rolex Cosmograph’ only. The ‘Oyster’ designation was thus later added to the dial, to denote reference 6263’s waterproof ability. Hence, the ‘Oyster’ print does not display any serifs, and looks unusual compared to the ‘Rolex Cosmograph’ font.
The ‘Oyster Sotto’ has reached new heights in popularity, particularly after having achieved a record-breaking price of 1,985,000 CHF at Phillips’ START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs sale, lot 31.
John Goldberger's Opinion
The ‘Oyster Sotto’ is a very elusive watch, one that hardly ever appears on the market. Correct examples are very hard to find, given the popularity of ‘Paul Newman’ wristwatches today.
As such, I am very pleased to present this ‘Oyster Sotto’. While it was produced among the last batch of ‘Oyster Sotto’ 6263s with a 2.200 million serial number, the dial is completely original with round and complete luminous dots. The Mk 2 dial features a slightly elongated ‘tail’ to the ‘R’ in Rolex, and the white subsidiary dials have aged to an ivory tone. The case back, stamped 6262 is also correct for the ‘Oyster Sotto’ Paul Newman.
The case is preserved in great condition with sharp finishes, original Mk 1 millerighe pushers, and correct bezel. The bracelet is from the period.
The phrase 'Oyster Sotto', or ‘Oyster Beneath’ in Italian, signifies the correct dial configuration of a reference 6263 ‘Paul Newman’ with three- color black dial. A correct black dial is always printed ‘Rolex Cosmograph Oyster’, as opposed to ‘Rolex Oyster Cosmograph’, the latter of which is correct for a ‘Paul Newman Panda’ with white dial. The black ‘Oyster Sottos’ are the rarest among all Paul Newmans ever produced.
It is interesting to note that ‘Oyster Sotto’ dials were fitted to the earliest 6263s, which newly featured waterproof screw down pushers. The dials were originally fitted to non-waterproof references 6262 or 6264, which bore ‘Rolex Cosmograph’ only. The ‘Oyster’ designation was thus later added to the dial, to denote reference 6263’s waterproof ability. Hence, the ‘Oyster’ print does not display any serifs, and looks unusual compared to the ‘Rolex Cosmograph’ font.
The ‘Oyster Sotto’ has reached new heights in popularity, particularly after having achieved a record-breaking price of 1,985,000 CHF at Phillips’ START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs sale, lot 31.
John Goldberger's Opinion
The ‘Oyster Sotto’ is a very elusive watch, one that hardly ever appears on the market. Correct examples are very hard to find, given the popularity of ‘Paul Newman’ wristwatches today.
As such, I am very pleased to present this ‘Oyster Sotto’. While it was produced among the last batch of ‘Oyster Sotto’ 6263s with a 2.200 million serial number, the dial is completely original with round and complete luminous dots. The Mk 2 dial features a slightly elongated ‘tail’ to the ‘R’ in Rolex, and the white subsidiary dials have aged to an ivory tone. The case back, stamped 6262 is also correct for the ‘Oyster Sotto’ Paul Newman.
The case is preserved in great condition with sharp finishes, original Mk 1 millerighe pushers, and correct bezel. The bracelet is from the period.
Literature
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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.
Browse Maker