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170

Rolex

Ref. 6241

Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman - Champagne"

An absolutely stunning, superlatively attractive and extremely rare 14k yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne Paul Newman dial and bracelet

Estimate
CHF350,000 - 700,000
€378,000 - 755,000
$440,000 - 879,000
CHF673,100
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1969
Reference No
6241
Case No
2'112'976
Model Name
Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman - Champagne"
Material
14k yellow gold
Calibre
Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels, stamped "ROW"
Bracelet/Strap
14k yellow gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet stamped "57" to the endlinks, max length 210mm
Clasp/Buckle
14k yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped "7205" and "F"
Dimensions
37.5mm Diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex travel pouch.
Catalogue Essay
Daytona chronographs with the coveted “Paul Newman” dials are rare, but the reference 6241 is amongst the rarest. In production for only 3 short years from approximately 1966 to 1969, we estimate that roughly 2000 pieces were produced in stainless steel, with around 1/3 of produced examples cased in yellow gold. The present watch is part of the mega-rare 14k yellow gold models mostly destined for the American market – as in this instance, certified by the ROW stamp on the movement. Many of them were manufactured in one batch, fitted with either black or champagne exotic (Newman) or standard dials.

This reference differed from other Daytona models with a new case design that introduced a small protrusion under the crown, which allowed easier winding of the Valjoux caliber 722. It also featured a new bezel composed of a metal support fitted with a black acrylic insert featuring a tachymeter scale printed in white. The “T SWISS T” designation at the lower edge of the dial by 6 o’clock indicates the use of tritium for the hands and luminous hour markers. It is also from this reference on that the word ‘Daytona’ would be officially printed on the dial.

This bi-color "Paul Newman" dial is correct for a Cosmograph bearing serial number 2'112'976, which is completely within a batch of other known examples with this dial configuration. Other known examples of the reference 6241 with the same dial configuration include:

1) 2'112'911
2) 2'112'935
3) 2'112'936
4) 2'112'949
5) 2'112'960

The warmth of the 14k yellow gold case perfectly matches the true protagonist of the watch: a gorgeous cream-colored grené dial, framed and set apart by the black acrylic bezel. Displaying crisp graphics and eye-catching details, the dial is presented in a superb state of preservation. The luminous dots are all intact and round, making for an extraordinarily good-looking dial.

Such original and beautifully well-preserved Paul Newmans hardly ever appear on the market – much less so in the rarest 14k variant - making this an extraordinarily rare opportunity to acquire a trophy exotic-dialed Cosmograph Daytona.

Rolex

Swiss | 1905
Founded 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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