Property from an Important Asian Collector
875
Rolex
Ref. 6265
Oyster Cosmograph “Paul Newman”
A well-preserved, rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- HK$2,650,000 - 4,300,000€312,000 - 506,000$340,000 - 551,000
HK$3,810,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1971
- Reference No
- 6265
- Case No
- 2’849’195, inside caseback stamped “6262”
- Model Name
- Oyster Cosmograph “Paul Newman”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “7835”, endlinks stamped “271”, max length 195mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “1.72”
- Dimensions
- 37mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
What makes a watch legendary? Is it the history it made, its design's originality, or merely the person who appeals to many who choose the timepiece as their own? The Rolex Cosmograph “Paul Newman” fits into all the above. A combination of one of the world’s leading manufacture, a world-renowned racetrack, and one of Hollywood’s most prominent and finest actor Paul Newman, the Rolex Cosmograph fitted with an exotic Paul Newman dial has gone from relative obscurity in the 1960s and 1970s, to being the most sought after collectors’ choice amongst vintage chronographs till this day. A legacy for sixty years and counting, it is considered to many as grails that few will own, especially for the ones that retain its original flavour and good looks. This Rolex Cosmograph Paul Newman ref. 6265 with the desirable panda dial will undoubtedly satisfy a discerned collector.
Reference 6265 was introduced to the market in approximately 1969 and ceased production in the late 1980s. The model features screw-down pushers and thus carries an "Oyster" designation on the dial. It is powered by calibre 727, a Rolex upgrade of Valjoux calibre 72 and the final evolution of this movement (following cal. 72A, 72B, 722, and 722-1). From the late 80s, with reference 16520, Rolex started to employ an El Primero-based Cal. 4030 movement in the Cosmograph.
The present example bearing a 2’849’XXX case serial falls into the batch of circa 1971 and is all period-matching according to our research. Well-preserved with a stainless steel Oyster case, the timepiece features a stunning 'panda' Paul Newman dial with sharp serifs of the “Oyster Cosmograph” showing clearly under the view of the loupe and the lume plots remain intact on the dial have further aged with a desirable warm yellow hue, presenting a delicate balance of cream and black colour scheme of the dial that are further complimented with the period-matching screw-down pushers, bezel and bracelet.
This present lot is a remarkable specimen that stood the test of time in both respect of historical importance and the state of preservation. Reference 6265, with a hall of fame status, will be a satisfying addition to a long-term collection.
Reference 6265 was introduced to the market in approximately 1969 and ceased production in the late 1980s. The model features screw-down pushers and thus carries an "Oyster" designation on the dial. It is powered by calibre 727, a Rolex upgrade of Valjoux calibre 72 and the final evolution of this movement (following cal. 72A, 72B, 722, and 722-1). From the late 80s, with reference 16520, Rolex started to employ an El Primero-based Cal. 4030 movement in the Cosmograph.
The present example bearing a 2’849’XXX case serial falls into the batch of circa 1971 and is all period-matching according to our research. Well-preserved with a stainless steel Oyster case, the timepiece features a stunning 'panda' Paul Newman dial with sharp serifs of the “Oyster Cosmograph” showing clearly under the view of the loupe and the lume plots remain intact on the dial have further aged with a desirable warm yellow hue, presenting a delicate balance of cream and black colour scheme of the dial that are further complimented with the period-matching screw-down pushers, bezel and bracelet.
This present lot is a remarkable specimen that stood the test of time in both respect of historical importance and the state of preservation. Reference 6265, with a hall of fame status, will be a satisfying addition to a long-term collection.
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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