197
Rolex
Ref. 6263 inside caseback stamped 6262
Oyster Cosmograph "Paul Newman Panda"
A fine, extremely rare and very attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Mark 1.5 dial, brown "tropical"outer minute track, bracelet and box
- Estimate
- CHF300,000 - 600,000€259,000 - 518,000$310,000 - 620,000
CHF408,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1972
- Reference No
- 6263 inside caseback stamped 6262
- Case No
- 3'048'248
- Model Name
- Oyster Cosmograph "Paul Newman Panda"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 7835/19, end links stamped 271, max length 195 mm.
- Clasp/Buckle
- Folding deployant clasp stamped 2.71
- Dimensions
- 37mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by fitted Rolex presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The ‘Paul Newman’ has become one of the most coveted and instantly recognisable chronograph wristwatches among Rolex collectors today.
The present reference 6263 is nicknamed the “Panda due to the dial's exotic black and white color scheme which mimics the colors on the face of the delightful bear. In an interesting twist of fate the Daytona chronographs with “Paul Newman” dials which are avidly sought after today were quite unpopular upon launch and this lack of commercial success led Rolex to produce very limited numbers making these timepieces exceedingly rare.
We are delighted to offer the present example with Mark 1.5 dial, based on the configuration and print of the text, in such original and complete condition.
The dial of the present lot is a pleasure to behold. It’s zen like serenity is further enhanced thanks to the lack of unnecessary inscriptions, the art-deco style of the font used and the hash marks with small squares found on the subsidiary dial are also characteristic of “Paul Newman” style dials. Adding further to its desirability is the fact that the outer minute track has turned a harmonious brown "tropical" color. Fitted with an acrylic bezel, the reference is also recognized for its screw-down pushers for improved water resistance.
It is interesting to underline the rare presence of the “millerighe” pushers that were only fitted on the earliest examples.
The combination of rarity, quality and good looks make this Rolex 6263 a trophy watch worthy of a prominent place in the world’s finest collections.
The present reference 6263 is nicknamed the “Panda due to the dial's exotic black and white color scheme which mimics the colors on the face of the delightful bear. In an interesting twist of fate the Daytona chronographs with “Paul Newman” dials which are avidly sought after today were quite unpopular upon launch and this lack of commercial success led Rolex to produce very limited numbers making these timepieces exceedingly rare.
We are delighted to offer the present example with Mark 1.5 dial, based on the configuration and print of the text, in such original and complete condition.
The dial of the present lot is a pleasure to behold. It’s zen like serenity is further enhanced thanks to the lack of unnecessary inscriptions, the art-deco style of the font used and the hash marks with small squares found on the subsidiary dial are also characteristic of “Paul Newman” style dials. Adding further to its desirability is the fact that the outer minute track has turned a harmonious brown "tropical" color. Fitted with an acrylic bezel, the reference is also recognized for its screw-down pushers for improved water resistance.
It is interesting to underline the rare presence of the “millerighe” pushers that were only fitted on the earliest examples.
The combination of rarity, quality and good looks make this Rolex 6263 a trophy watch worthy of a prominent place in the world’s finest collections.
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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