131
Rolex
Ref. 6264
Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Lemon"
An extraordinary and possibly unique 14k yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman Lemon” dial, possibly the only known 14K example in this serial range
Full-Cataloguing
- Chronograph
- The only known reference 6264 "Lemon" in a 14k yellow gold case within this serial range
- One of the most important Daytonas to appear on the auction market
- Preserved in exceptional condition with a stunning dial
Please see the Archivio Pucci Papaleo digital archive record here.
While any vintage Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with a “Paul Newman” dial can be considered a trophy watch for a collector, when one is found bearing a “Paul Newman Lemon” dial, it becomes an ultimate trophy due to its utmost rarity and attractiveness. This fact is compounded when it is the only known example in 14k yellow gold in this serial range, and also possibly has the earliest serial number with "Lemon dial" that has come on the market.
To be considered a “Lemon” Paul Newman, the main dial must have a matte-finished, grené texture with an almost powdery effect with a more cream yellow color than a metallic gold or champagne. Compared with the dial on the champagne Paul Newman Daytonas, the “Lemon” dials feature an intense and creamy shade of yellow that sets them apart. Furthermore, instead of the more commonly-found champagne text within the subsidiary registers, they have vivid, white-printed Art Deco numerals – a coveted characteristic immediately spotted by those who know. Overall, the combination of the creamy yellow dial and stark, white sub-dial numerals is quite striking – especially when paired with a black outer track.
Not only is the case incredibly well preserved, with a very thick case displaying sharp facets and edges throughout, the dial is a sight to behold. The dial is striking not just thanks to its excellent state of preservation. The luminous dots remain round, intact and have aged with warm patina, perfectly complementing the striking dial. Furthermore, the mk 1 bezel is correct for this serial range and model.
Most of the existing yellow gold “Paul Newman” Daytonas with “Lemon” dial fall within a known serial range, meaning that they were produced within a special batch. The first production series, or Mk1, dates to 1970 and with just a single example in 14k gold, all with serial numbers in the 2.3 million range. The second production series, or Mk2, dates to 1971 - all with serial numbers in the 2.8 million range and fitted with new cases specifically made for the reference, supplied by C.R. Spillmann.To date.
To the best of our knowledge, the list of reference 6264 Paul Newmans with Lemon dials in the 2.3 million serial range are the following:
2'357'377 (the present watch)
2'357'384
2'357'385
2’357’409
2'357'419
2'357'421
2’357’442
2'357'452
2’357’455
2'357'468
2’357’479
As such, the present watch is to the best of our knowledge possibly the earliest known example to come on the market, and also the only one in this serial range with a 14k yellow gold case.
Given the fact that the Cosmograph Daytona was originally a commercially produced “tool watch” made for everyday use, the fact that less than a dozen of examples are known with this dial speaks volumes about the rarity of the model.
A grail among grails, the present reference 6264 “Paul Newman Lemon” in 14k yellow gold is thus possibly unique and offers a perfect storm of highly appealing traits which propels the present timepiece to the pinnacle of desirability for the connoisseur of highly important and attractive timepieces. It presents a rare opportunity to acquire not only a trophy piece, but one of the very best and rarest examples in that category.
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.