Rolex - The Geneva Watch Auction: XX Geneva Saturday, November 9, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1969
    Reference No: 6241 inside caseback stamped 6241
    Case No: 2'112'935
    Model Name: Paul Newman "Champagne"
    Material: 14K yellow gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: 14K yellow gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet, end links stamped 57, max length 185mm
    Clasp/Buckle: 14K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp stamped J5
    Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    Daytona chronographs with the coveted “Paul Newman” dials are rare, but the reference 6241 is amongst the rarest. In production for only 3 short years from approximately 1966 to 1969, we estimate that roughly 2000 pieces were produced in stainless steel, with around 1/3 of produced examples cased in yellow gold. The present watch is part of the mega-rare 14k yellow gold models mostly destined for the American market. Many of them were manufactured in one batch, fitted with either black or champagne exotic or non-exotic dials.

    This reference differed from other Daytona models with a new case design that introduced a small protrusion under the crown, which allowed easier winding of the Valjoux caliber 722. It also featured a new bezel composed of a metal support fitted with a black acrylic insert featuring a tachymeter scale printed in white. The “T SWISS T” designation at the lower edge of the dial by 6 o’clock indicates the use of tritium for the hands and luminous hour markers. It is also from this reference on that the word ‘Daytona’ would be officially printed on the dial.

    This bi-color "Paul Newman" dial is correct for a Cosmograph bearing a serial number of 2.112 million, which is completely within a batch of other known examples with this dial configuration. Other known examples of the reference 6241 with the same dial configuration include:

    1) 2'112'911
    2) 2'112'936
    3) 2'112'949
    4) 2'112'960

    The warmth of the 14k yellow gold case perfectly matches the gorgeous cream-colored grené dial, framed and set apart by the black acrylic bezel – the true protagonist of the watch. Displaying crisp graphics and eye-catching details, the dial is presented in a noteworthy state of preservation. The luminous dots are all intact and round, making for an extraordinarily good-looking dial. The case is equally impressive, as the lug holes have a distance between the edge of the case, and two crisp hallmarks beneath the lugs are present.

    Such original, and beautifully well-preserved Paul Newmans hardly ever appear on the market, marking an extraordinarily rare opportunity to acquire a trophy exotic-dialed Cosmograph Daytona. Given the amount of interest which has been circling the Daytona model over the past years, it is not a stretch to say that the discovery of another such piece with a dial as appealing as this one is a highly improbable occurrence.

  • 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.

    View More Works

185

Ref. 6241 inside caseback stamped 6241
A highly attractive, beautifully preserved and rare 14K yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and "Paul Newman" champagne dial

Circa 1969
37.5mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF350,000 - 700,000 
€372,000-745,000
$407,000-814,000

Sold for CHF381,000

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Europe, and Middle East

+41 79 637 17 24
aghotbi@phillips.com

 

Tiffany To
Head of Sale, Geneva

+41 79 460 55 88

tto@phillips.com

 

 

The Geneva Watch Auction: XX

Geneva Auction 9 - 10 November 2024