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167
Rolex
Ref. 6239, caseback stamped "6242" to the inside
Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Musketeer"
An attractive, very unusual and extremely sought-after stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Paul Newman "Musketeer" dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- CHF150,000 - 300,000€162,000 - 324,000$188,000 - 377,000
CHF273,050
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1969
- Reference No
- 6239, caseback stamped "6242" to the inside
- Case No
- 2'046'790
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Musketeer"
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet stamped "7205" and "57" to the endlinks, max length 200 mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "4 66"
- Dimensions
- 37mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
A superbly collectible example of ref. 6239, this watch sports two remarkable details.
First and foremost, it features one of rarest and most collectible declinations of the “Paul Newman” dial: the so-called “Musketeer” variation. Usually, Paul Newman dials have a concentric circle pattern (azurage) all the way to the edge of the sunken subdials, which present vertical “walls” . However, on Musketeer dials the azurage covers only two-third of the dials; the remaining outer sector is smooth and gently slopes up to the main dial surface: a completely different design than the standard one. The present dial is preserved in outstanding condition with round luminous dots that are intact and have aged with light patina. The outer track has barely any signs of ageing as well which is very rare for this dial variant. Musketeer Paul Newmans appear to occur throughout the 2’xxx’xxx range, with examples sold by Phillips ranging from 2’036’574 to 2’737’249.
In addition to this, intellectual intrigue is found within the caseback, which is stamped with the never-produced reference 6242. Employing non-matching case references within the back of vintage Daytonas is a well-documented Rolex custom which adds intrigue to the piece. In this instance, however the reference is a never produced one and possibly intended for the unreleased vintage Yachtmaster, whose Daytona-based prototype indeed bears ref. 6242 inside its back
On top of this, the piece is offered in superb condition, with a dial that is practically pristine, featuring unmolested tritium accents - which have acquired a lovely warmth with time - and a virtually flawless surface.
First and foremost, it features one of rarest and most collectible declinations of the “Paul Newman” dial: the so-called “Musketeer” variation. Usually, Paul Newman dials have a concentric circle pattern (azurage) all the way to the edge of the sunken subdials, which present vertical “walls” . However, on Musketeer dials the azurage covers only two-third of the dials; the remaining outer sector is smooth and gently slopes up to the main dial surface: a completely different design than the standard one. The present dial is preserved in outstanding condition with round luminous dots that are intact and have aged with light patina. The outer track has barely any signs of ageing as well which is very rare for this dial variant. Musketeer Paul Newmans appear to occur throughout the 2’xxx’xxx range, with examples sold by Phillips ranging from 2’036’574 to 2’737’249.
In addition to this, intellectual intrigue is found within the caseback, which is stamped with the never-produced reference 6242. Employing non-matching case references within the back of vintage Daytonas is a well-documented Rolex custom which adds intrigue to the piece. In this instance, however the reference is a never produced one and possibly intended for the unreleased vintage Yachtmaster, whose Daytona-based prototype indeed bears ref. 6242 inside its back
On top of this, the piece is offered in superb condition, with a dial that is practically pristine, featuring unmolested tritium accents - which have acquired a lovely warmth with time - and a virtually flawless surface.
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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