906
Rolex
Ref. 6241
Cosmograph Daytona, 'Lemon"
An extremely rare, fine and attractive 14k gold chronograph wristwatch with tropical Paul Newman ‘lemon’ grené dial, white graphics and 14k gold bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$1,600,000 - 3,200,000€174,000 - 348,000$200,000 - 400,000
HK$4,960,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1969
- Reference No
- 6241
- Case No
- 2'112'936
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona, 'Lemon"
- Material
- 14k yellow gold
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 722, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 14k gold <em>Rolex Jubilee</em> Bracelet, max. length 180mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 14k gold <em>Rolex</em> deployant clasp, stamped 14k, U.S.A
- Dimensions
- 37.5mm diameter
- Signed
- <em>Case, dial and movement signed</em>
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Rolex’s reference 6241 is one of the rarest examples of the famed Daytona chronograph available to collectors today. Produced between 1966 and 1969, research estimates approximately 2000 examples were made in stainless steel, with 300 in 18k yellow gold and an even smaller number in 14k gold. The model, the immediate successor to the reference 6239, featured a new black acrylic bezel with tachometer scale, and a redesigned case now slightly widened at the 3 in order to facilitate winding. It was also Rolex’s first chronograph to feature the wording ‘Daytona’. Rolex wound down production of push down button chronographs with the introduction of the reference 6240, the brands first chronograph featuring screw-down pushers, and the designation ‘Oyster’.
The present example, fresh to the market from the original owner, is among the elite of Daytona chronographs, not only is the case in 14k gold, but more importantly it sports the highly desirable and rare Paul Newman dial. This is enhanced by the very rare dial type with yellow background and black subsidiary dials featuring white numerals. As if this could not be any rarer, the black subsidiary dials are now turning tropical, thus making this lovely example one of the rarest models available to only a very lucky few.
The ‘Lemon’ dial Paul Newman seen here is only known in a limited number, a handful at most. The yellow patina varies in hue for each example, but all have engine-turned black subsidiary dials with white numerals. This is a marked difference from other known dial styles on gold examples, which typically feature a champagne dial and black numerals. The dial is well preserved and in original condition.
This fine 6241 Paul Newman is accompanied by its original 14k U.S. A. Jubilee bracelet. The watch has an honesty, which demonstrate that is has been lovingly cared for by it owner over the last approximately 50 years. The present example provides passionate collectors of the famed Paul Newman, a very rare opportunity to not only own of the rarest models, but one in yellow gold and one with the wonderful ‘lemon’ dial.
The present example, fresh to the market from the original owner, is among the elite of Daytona chronographs, not only is the case in 14k gold, but more importantly it sports the highly desirable and rare Paul Newman dial. This is enhanced by the very rare dial type with yellow background and black subsidiary dials featuring white numerals. As if this could not be any rarer, the black subsidiary dials are now turning tropical, thus making this lovely example one of the rarest models available to only a very lucky few.
The ‘Lemon’ dial Paul Newman seen here is only known in a limited number, a handful at most. The yellow patina varies in hue for each example, but all have engine-turned black subsidiary dials with white numerals. This is a marked difference from other known dial styles on gold examples, which typically feature a champagne dial and black numerals. The dial is well preserved and in original condition.
This fine 6241 Paul Newman is accompanied by its original 14k U.S. A. Jubilee bracelet. The watch has an honesty, which demonstrate that is has been lovingly cared for by it owner over the last approximately 50 years. The present example provides passionate collectors of the famed Paul Newman, a very rare opportunity to not only own of the rarest models, but one in yellow gold and one with the wonderful ‘lemon’ dial.
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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