833
Rolex
Ref. 6263, inside case back stamped 6239
Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman'
A fine and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with ‘Paul Newman’ dial, 'tropical' outer minute track, bracelet and guarantee
- Estimate
- HK$2,800,000 - 5,600,000$350,000 - 700,000
HK$4,880,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1971
- Reference No
- 6263, inside case back stamped 6239
- Case No
- 2'653'869
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman'
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Mechanical, 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel <em>Rolex Oyster</em> bracelet, 185 mm. maximum length
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel<em> Rolex </em>folding deployant clasp stamped 1.71
- Dimensions
- 37.5 mm. diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed </em>
- Accessories
- With <em>Rolex </em>punched Guarantee dated 4 December 1974.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The ‘Paul Newman’ has become one of the most fashionable and discerning chronograph wristwatches among Rolex collectors today. The unusual dial layout, coupled with ‘matchstick’ registers, is instantly recognizable upon a glance.
The Paul Newman reference 6263 generally features either a white or black dial. Those fitted with a white dial and black subsidiary registers, such as the present watch, are given the moniker ‘Panda’, due to its color scheme that mimics its namesake. In contrast, those fitted with a black dial, white registers and a red outer track are dubbed ‘Oyster Sotto’, due to the dial configuration of the watch.
While the 'Panda' is considered a vintage wristwatch, its appearance is still incredibly modern today. Due to the reference's unpopularity at the time of production, only very limited number of pieces were ever manufactured. Many retailers had 'Paul Newmans' sitting in stock years after its production. As such, the model is much rarer compared to its non-Paul Newman counterparts.
A similar example was sold at Phillips’ START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs, lot 34, for an astounding 929,000 CHF.
John Goldberger's Opinion
The ‘Paul Newman’ Cosmograph Daytona has undergone subtle changes throughout its production history. The present watch, featuring a desirable Mk 2 dial, displays sharp serifs to the ‘Oyster Cosmograph’ graphics.
In contrast, watches fitted with a Mk 1 dial do not feature serifs to the ‘Oyster Cosmograph’ graphics. This wristwatch also features its original Mk 1 pushers, which is correct when one considers the serial number. The dial has been preserved in really excellent condition, and the outer track has aged to a warm 'tropical' tone, displaying a fascinating brown chocolate colour shade that is a sight to behold.
The case is wonderful, with sharp edges and milled finish. The watch furthermore retains its original bracelet, stamped for the first quarter of 1971. Rarer still is the presence of the original punched guarantee from South America, dated 4 December 1974, which brings the watch to another level in terms of collectability.
The Paul Newman reference 6263 generally features either a white or black dial. Those fitted with a white dial and black subsidiary registers, such as the present watch, are given the moniker ‘Panda’, due to its color scheme that mimics its namesake. In contrast, those fitted with a black dial, white registers and a red outer track are dubbed ‘Oyster Sotto’, due to the dial configuration of the watch.
While the 'Panda' is considered a vintage wristwatch, its appearance is still incredibly modern today. Due to the reference's unpopularity at the time of production, only very limited number of pieces were ever manufactured. Many retailers had 'Paul Newmans' sitting in stock years after its production. As such, the model is much rarer compared to its non-Paul Newman counterparts.
A similar example was sold at Phillips’ START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs, lot 34, for an astounding 929,000 CHF.
John Goldberger's Opinion
The ‘Paul Newman’ Cosmograph Daytona has undergone subtle changes throughout its production history. The present watch, featuring a desirable Mk 2 dial, displays sharp serifs to the ‘Oyster Cosmograph’ graphics.
In contrast, watches fitted with a Mk 1 dial do not feature serifs to the ‘Oyster Cosmograph’ graphics. This wristwatch also features its original Mk 1 pushers, which is correct when one considers the serial number. The dial has been preserved in really excellent condition, and the outer track has aged to a warm 'tropical' tone, displaying a fascinating brown chocolate colour shade that is a sight to behold.
The case is wonderful, with sharp edges and milled finish. The watch furthermore retains its original bracelet, stamped for the first quarter of 1971. Rarer still is the presence of the original punched guarantee from South America, dated 4 December 1974, which brings the watch to another level in terms of collectability.
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.
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