Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI Geneva Saturday, November 5, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1972
    Reference No: 6263, inside caseback stamped 6262
    Case No: 2'849'358
    Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph "Paul Newman Panda"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "7835", endlinks stamped "71N", max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “2.70”
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex Guarantee stamped Karl Hauser - Uhren, Munchen, dated 19th July 1972, original receipt from 1972 and service papers.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Introduced in 1971 alongside the reference 6265, the present Rolex reference 6263 with Mark 2 "Paul Newman" dial, other than possibly being the "perfect tool watch" is also the most desirable, beautiful, and sought-after standard Paul Newman in today's market. The model is fitted with screw down pushers, inherited from the previous reference 6240, rendering the case fully waterproof and earning itself the name "Oyster" - Notably, whilst the 6263 was fitted with an acrylic bezel, reference 6265 was fitted with a metal bezel with tachymeter scale.

    The Paul Newman references 6263 generally features "exotic" white or black dials made by Singer. Those fitted with a white dial and black subsidiary registers are known today to collectors as "Panda dial" given the color scheme that mimics its namesake. Inside the timepiece, beats the caliber 727, an evolution from the caliber 722-1 and 72 A. The movement is present on Rolexes from 1969 till 1987.

    Extremely contemporary for today's standards and aesthetics, the "PN" 6263 was not initially an immediate success - this forced Rolex to reduce and cease production quite rapidly, inevitably making those few Paul Newman's reference 6263 that have resisted the test of time extremely rare and collectable in today's day and age.

    The present Rolex reference 6263, fitted with an incredibly well preserved Mark 2 “Panda” dial, is a wonderful representation of the model. Preserved in excellent overall condition, the dial is exceptional in all aspects - remaining virtually flawless, with no marks, blemishes, or scratches to be found anywhere on its surface. The whitish grené surface of the dial is clean and very bright, slightly turning to a very faint yellow hue - the original luminous hour markers are all complete and perfectly intact and have aged to a beautiful and consistent light cream color. The art-deco style of the font used, and the hash marks with small squares found on the subsidiary dial, are also characteristic of “Paul Newman” style dials. It is quite interesting to also notice the rare presence of the “millerighe” pushers.

    The combination of rarity, quality and amazing looks make this Rolex 6263 "Paul Newman" a trophy watch worthy of a prominent and rightfully deserved place in the world’s finest collections.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 6263, inside caseback stamped 6262
A fine, rare, and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Mk2 “Paul Newman” dial, outer minute track, bracelet and guarantee

1972
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF250,000 - 500,000 
€257,000-515,000
$250,000-501,000

Sold for CHF630,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East
+41 22 317 81 81
AGhotbi@phillips.com
 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva
+41 22 317 96 63
TiffanyTo@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XVI

Geneva Auction 5 - 6 November 2022