US import tariffs: Non-US origin lots in this sale (including watches and timepieces with Swiss-made or non-US made movements) will be subject to special tariffs upon import to the USA, currently ranging from 10% to 39% on the total invoice price (hammer price plus buyer’s premium). Buyers are responsible for paying any applicable tariffs, duties, taxes and charges when importing their purchased lots. Due to the evolving nature of international trade regulations, we recommend clients consult with their local customs office or advisor for up-to-date information on the applicable tariffs.
70
Rolex
Ref. 6263
Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" "Oyster Sotto" "RCO"
An incredibly well preserved, supremely rare and "fresh to the market" stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with "Oyster Sotto" Paul Newman dial, bracelet, warranty and box
- Estimate
- CHF400,000 - 800,000€432,000 - 863,000$502,000 - 1,000,000
CHF1,391,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1971
- Reference No
- 6263
- Case No
- 2'085'496
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" "Oyster Sotto" "RCO"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster "folded links" bracelet stamped "7835" and "271" to the endlinks, max length 205mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "4 68"
- Dimensions
- 37.5mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex warranty card dated July 26, 1971 and stamped by Gorizia, Italy retailer "Orologeria - Gioielleria R. De Savorgnani", Italian instruction leaflet and presentation box
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The most unattainable and sought-after variant of all steel Paul Newman wristwatches is unequivocally the “Oyster Sotto Paul Newman”. Scholars estimate that less than 30 examples have appeared overall on the market.
The present newly discovered Oyster Sotto resided for most of its life in the same family, from which it was purchased a few years ago by the consignor. Given the scarcity of these watches and their renown, the thrill of the resurfacing of a lost example is destined to be an ever dwindling occurrence – a statement even more true in the case of a specimen of such remarkable condition. The case fully preserves its architecture, and the dial is in absolutely superb condition with a pristine surface, strong graphics and tritium accent which have acquired a charming light ivory tonality. The presence of its original Warranty is the icing on the cake which will satisfy even the most hardcore completionist.
The moniker “Oyster Sotto”, meaning “Oyster Underneath” in Italian, gives away the main characteristic of this dial: it reads “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster” rather than “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph” as usually found on Daytona dials (from manual oyster models). This is because "Oyster Sotto" dials were fitted to the earliest ref. 6263s which newly featured waterproof screw down pushers. The dials were originally created for non-oyster references 6262 or 6264, which bore "Rolex Cosmograph" only. The "Oyster" designation was thus later added to the dial underneath the previous lines to denote ref. 6263’s improved waterproof capability. Hence, the "Oyster" print does not display any serifs and looks inconsistent compared to the "Rolex Cosmograph" font. Oyster Sotto dials can be found exclusively on reference 6263, which is in contrast with the white Paul Newman variation made for the steel screw-down pusher models 6263 and 6265 (the “true” Panda, coincidentally the second most sought-after steel Paul Newman dial).
It appears that Oyster Sotto dials were employed on cases with serial numbers between the high 2’0xx’xxx and the low 2’2xx’xxx and executed in two batches, distinguishable by minute variations of the font. MK I dials – such as the present one – feature much less prominent serifs.
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 present newly discovered Oyster Sotto resided for most of its life in the same family, from which it was purchased a few years ago by the consignor. Given the scarcity of these watches and their renown, the thrill of the resurfacing of a lost example is destined to be an ever dwindling occurrence – a statement even more true in the case of a specimen of such remarkable condition. The case fully preserves its architecture, and the dial is in absolutely superb condition with a pristine surface, strong graphics and tritium accent which have acquired a charming light ivory tonality. The presence of its original Warranty is the icing on the cake which will satisfy even the most hardcore completionist.
The moniker “Oyster Sotto”, meaning “Oyster Underneath” in Italian, gives away the main characteristic of this dial: it reads “Rolex Cosmograph Oyster” rather than “Rolex Oyster Cosmograph” as usually found on Daytona dials (from manual oyster models). This is because "Oyster Sotto" dials were fitted to the earliest ref. 6263s which newly featured waterproof screw down pushers. The dials were originally created for non-oyster references 6262 or 6264, which bore "Rolex Cosmograph" only. The "Oyster" designation was thus later added to the dial underneath the previous lines to denote ref. 6263’s improved waterproof capability. Hence, the "Oyster" print does not display any serifs and looks inconsistent compared to the "Rolex Cosmograph" font. Oyster Sotto dials can be found exclusively on reference 6263, which is in contrast with the white Paul Newman variation made for the steel screw-down pusher models 6263 and 6265 (the “true” Panda, coincidentally the second most sought-after steel Paul Newman dial).
It appears that Oyster Sotto dials were employed on cases with serial numbers between the high 2’0xx’xxx and the low 2’2xx’xxx and executed in two batches, distinguishable by minute variations of the font. MK I dials – such as the present one – feature much less prominent serifs.
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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