104
Rolex
Ref. 6239
Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman”
An extremely desirable and beautifully well-preserved yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne “Paul Newman” exotic dial, and bracelet
Full-Cataloguing
• Extremely rare configuration of 18K yellow gold 6239 with champagne “Paul Newman” exotic dial
• Exceptionally preserved dial with perfectly intact luminous hour markers and matching hands
• Stunning case and bracelet condition
• Later sourced Rolex 18K yellow gold riveted Oyster bracelet
One of the more joyful feelings in human existence is running into an old friend unexpectedly and being genuinely thrilled and shocked to reencounter them. Such was the case with this reference 6239 Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman”, which appeared unexpectedly one unassuming day in the lead up to the present sale, and our research showed that we previously sold it at auction in 2020 when it was offered by the family of the original owner.
Not only is it still in the identical impressive state of preservation as back then, but since then, a magnificent 18K yellow gold Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet was sourced for it, accenting the monochromatic livery of the champagne Paul Newman dial and the 18K yellow gold bezel.
The original owner at the time of the watch’s consignment in 2020 was born in Gothenberg, Sweden, in 1920, and immigrated to Pasadena, CA in 1935, joining the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1938. A veteran of World War II, he flew more than 67 missions, reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel and receiving 14 medals, including the Distinguished Flying Cross. He purchased the Daytona in Geneva during his civilian career at North American Aviation.
Though the entire production run of the reference 6239 totaled about 14,000 units, only approximately 300 of these are believed to have been cased in 18K yellow gold – fitted with either an exotic or non-exotic dial. Only a handful fitted with champagne Paul Newman dial have appeared at public auction, most notably the so-called “Golden Pagoda”, first publicly sold during Phillips Geneva’s 2018 sale “Daytona Ultimatum”. Incredibly, the present example is just 4 serial numbers away from that of the “Golden Pagoda”, and 10 numbers away from another original owner 6239 in the same configuration sold at Phillips Hong Kong in 2025.
The case and dial remain in the same state of preservation as its sale in 2020, as subsequent owner(s) continued the tradition of the original owner by only wearing the watch carefully for special occasions, if at all. The case is in superb overall condition, with thick lugs that retain their original satin finishing. The truly magnificent dial is virtually flawless, with a gorgeous creamy champagne tone. Its outstanding quality is further evidenced by examining the original luminous hour markers. Each is perfectly full and intact, and perfectly match the luminous hour and minute hands. The larger, slightly slanted “T SWISS T” designation at 6 o’clock is exactly correct for its serial number range.
The reappearance on the market of such a prestigious example of an already coveted model is a rare opportunity, and one not to be missed by the discerning collector.
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.