90
Rolex
Ref. 6239
Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman”
An exceptionally well-preserved and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "Paul Newman" exotic dial, bracelet, guarantee, and presentation box, from the original owner
- Estimate
- $200,000 - 400,000
$419,100
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1969
- Reference No
- 6239
- Case No
- 2’003’127; inside caseback additionally stamped 6239
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman”
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, max overall length 200mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex C&I deployant clasp, stamped 7-71, hand-etched with watch serial number 2’003’127
- Dimensions
- 36.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed. Caseback additionally engraved GRADUATION – ‘70 – MIKE WILLIAMS.
- Accessories
- Accompanied by original Rolex guarantee, hang tag, polishing cloth, and fitted presentation box. Further accompanied by Rolex service warranty dated 1992, service booklet, and service box.
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Playing an important role in Rolex history, the reference 6239 introduced in 1963 was the very first Cosmograph Daytona model. Available in stainless steel, 14K, and 18K gold, the 6239 was the first chronograph by the historic manufacture to feature the tachymeter scale outside the dial, incorporated instead on the bezel.
In production as an alternative to the standard silvered and black dials, this dial configuration was originally named "exotic" by Rolex, before its association with the iconic actor. Paul Newman dials were poorly received by the public at first, and thus their production lasted for about 4-5 short years, making them today as scarce as they are appealing. Today, the 6239 with the “Paul Newman” exotic dial configuration is amongst the most sought after by collectors, appreciated for its rarity, enduring aesthetics, and celebrated history.
Becoming increasingly rare is a fresh-to-market “Paul Newman” Daytona such as the present example, which comes from the original owner who received the watch for his high school graduation in 1970, as inscribed on its caseback. An even rarer occurrence, the watch is accompanied with its original guarantee, hang tag with serial number, polishing cloth, and presentation box. The watch is also accompanied by service paperwork and box from a Rolex service in 1992.
The current reference 6239, with stunning tri-color exotic dial bears a very close serial number with both the iconic “Paul Newman’s Paul Newman” Daytona that was sold for a world record $17.8 million by Phillips in October 2017 (serial number 2’005’325) and another exceptional example with tri-color exotic dial from the family of the original owner sold by Phillips in 2023 (2’003’198).
The originality of this absolutely superb timepiece is not to be set aside lightly. The white grené dial is beautifully preserved, with no signs of aging, and all luminous markers are full and intact, acquiring an attractive yellowish-beige hue that matches the luminous material to the handset. The watch is furthermore fitted with a Rolex C&I bracelet, made for American-market watches, dated to 1971 and even etched with the serial number of the watch.
PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
In production as an alternative to the standard silvered and black dials, this dial configuration was originally named "exotic" by Rolex, before its association with the iconic actor. Paul Newman dials were poorly received by the public at first, and thus their production lasted for about 4-5 short years, making them today as scarce as they are appealing. Today, the 6239 with the “Paul Newman” exotic dial configuration is amongst the most sought after by collectors, appreciated for its rarity, enduring aesthetics, and celebrated history.
Becoming increasingly rare is a fresh-to-market “Paul Newman” Daytona such as the present example, which comes from the original owner who received the watch for his high school graduation in 1970, as inscribed on its caseback. An even rarer occurrence, the watch is accompanied with its original guarantee, hang tag with serial number, polishing cloth, and presentation box. The watch is also accompanied by service paperwork and box from a Rolex service in 1992.
The current reference 6239, with stunning tri-color exotic dial bears a very close serial number with both the iconic “Paul Newman’s Paul Newman” Daytona that was sold for a world record $17.8 million by Phillips in October 2017 (serial number 2’005’325) and another exceptional example with tri-color exotic dial from the family of the original owner sold by Phillips in 2023 (2’003’198).
The originality of this absolutely superb timepiece is not to be set aside lightly. The white grené dial is beautifully preserved, with no signs of aging, and all luminous markers are full and intact, acquiring an attractive yellowish-beige hue that matches the luminous material to the handset. The watch is furthermore fitted with a Rolex C&I bracelet, made for American-market watches, dated to 1971 and even etched with the serial number of the watch.
PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER
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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