Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV Hong Kong Monday, November 28, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1970
    Reference No: 6262
    Case No: 2’390’641, inside caseback stamped 6239
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, “Linz Paul Newman”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 180mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “1-71”
    Dimensions: 36mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is with no doubt one of the most iconic chronographs ever produced by any manufacturer and the history behind this superlative model is one of the most fascinating among collectors in the community. In the late 1960s, examples of the Cosmograph Daytona were fitted with an exotic dial that were made by Singer, a dial supplier of Rolex at the time. Featuring a unique set of typography and graphics, these dials were later nicknamed the “Paul Newman” after the famous actor was witnessed wearing a ref. 6239 with the illusive exotic dial.

    Introduced towards the end of the 1960’s, the ref. 6262 was released together with its acrylic bezel peer ref. 6264. Considered as a transitional reference, with both models featuring yet pump pushers, they featured an upgraded cal. 727. The production of the reference seized around 1972, making way for two new references with upgraded screw-down pushers, ref. 6263 & 6265. It is estimated that throughout the 9 year production span of references featuring pump pushers, ref. 6239, 6241, 6262 & 6264, only 16,300 examples were produced with approximately 1,120 encased in yellow gold.

    While some examples of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Paul Newmans are rarer than others due to distinctive traits and production numbers, there are only a handful that can be considered by collectors as absolute grails, such as double signed pieces.

    Established in 1877, Texas-based retailer Linz is a family business and was run and groomed by five brothers. The firm’s co-founder Joseph Linz retired in 1907, prompting the remaining family members to change the company name from Linz to Linz Brothers. The retailer’s logo features a unique typeface with the “N” printed backwards making them instantly recognizable.

    The present example ref. 6262 from circa 1970 with a 2.3 million serial displays an attractive “Panda” non-oyster Paul Newman dial that features the rare and highly desirable Linz signature printed below “COSMOGRAPH”. Fresh-to-the-market, the present example is a rare find that has never been offered to the public before making this a truly momentous event for the vintage watch collecting community. Extremely attractive, the dial has been preserved in excellent overall condition with a clean surface and uninterrupted luminous plots. To further enhance the originality of the timepiece it features all the correct components such as the original Twinlock 600 crown and pump pushers as well as a riveted Rolex Oyster bracelet with its clasp stamped “ROLEX USA” and “I-71”.

  • 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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PLEASE NOTE, THIS LOT IS A PREMIUM LOT. TO BID ON THE LOT YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SATISFY OUR PREMIUM LOT PRE-REGISTRATION PROCEDURE NO LATER THAN 24 HOURS BEFORE THE START OF THE AUCTION SESSION IN WHICH IT IS OFFERED. PLEASE ALSO NOTE THAT ALL BIDDERS MUST PLACE BIDS IN PERSON, VIA ABSENTEE BID, OR BY TELEPHONE. PLEASE CONTACT THE DEPARTMENT FOR DETAILS.

1060

Ref. 6262
An extremely fine and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and bracelet, retailed by Linz Brothers

Circa 1970
36mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$1,600,000 - 3,500,000 
€190,000-416,000
$205,000-449,000

Sold for HK$2,142,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
WatchesHK@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XV

28 - 29 November 2022 (Online Registration ends 27 Nov, 2pm HKT)