1001
Rolex
Ref. 6263, inside caseback stamped “6239”
Cosmograph Daytona, "Paul Newman Oyster Sotto"
An extremely rare and well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Paul Newman Mk 2 "Oyster Sotto" dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$3,200,000 - 5,500,000€377,000 - 647,000$410,000 - 705,000
HK$4,445,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1969
- Reference No
- 6263, inside caseback stamped “6239”
- Case No
- 2’197’835
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona, "Paul Newman Oyster Sotto"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7835-19”, endlinks stamped “271”, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “H”
- Dimensions
- 37.5mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The most unattainable and sought-after variant of all Paul Newman wristwatches is unequivocally the “Oyster Sotto Paul Newman”. Scholars estimate that less than 25 examples have appeared, and no more than a handful have been sold at auction thus far.
The moniker “Oyster Sotto”, meaning “Oyster Underneath” in Italian, signifies the correct dial configuration of a ref. 6263 “Paul Newman” fitted with three-color black dial, also known as “RCO” - “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster” rather than “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph”, the latter of which is the correct configuration of a “Paul Newman” 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 ref. 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 ref. 6263’s waterproof ability. Hence, the "Oyster" print does not display any serifs and looks unusual compared to the "Rolex Cosmograph" font.
To the best of our knowledge, the present black “Oyster Sotto” from 1969 is characteristic of the rarer Mk 2 variant, bearing a serial number of 2’197’835. The Mk 2 dial features a slightly elongated "tail" to the "R" in Rolex. The dial remains in excellent condition, with luminous dots intact and round. Vibrant colors and sharp graphics give the dial a striking, captivating presence. Its superb state of preservation makes this a phenomenal example. Other correct features of this watch are the first generation "Millerighe" screw-down pushers and the Mk 1 bezel.
Beautifully preserved, it is not an overstatement to say that the present specimen is a true “Crown Jewel” for all collectors of highly important timepieces.
The moniker “Oyster Sotto”, meaning “Oyster Underneath” in Italian, signifies the correct dial configuration of a ref. 6263 “Paul Newman” fitted with three-color black dial, also known as “RCO” - “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster” rather than “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph”, the latter of which is the correct configuration of a “Paul Newman” 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 ref. 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 ref. 6263’s waterproof ability. Hence, the "Oyster" print does not display any serifs and looks unusual compared to the "Rolex Cosmograph" font.
To the best of our knowledge, the present black “Oyster Sotto” from 1969 is characteristic of the rarer Mk 2 variant, bearing a serial number of 2’197’835. The Mk 2 dial features a slightly elongated "tail" to the "R" in Rolex. The dial remains in excellent condition, with luminous dots intact and round. Vibrant colors and sharp graphics give the dial a striking, captivating presence. Its superb state of preservation makes this a phenomenal example. Other correct features of this watch are the first generation "Millerighe" screw-down pushers and the Mk 1 bezel.
Beautifully preserved, it is not an overstatement to say that the present specimen is a true “Crown Jewel” for all collectors of highly important timepieces.
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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