Superbly iconic and highly sought-after, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” dials are among one of the most well-designed chronograph dials of the 1960s. Rather than the tri-color dial often seen on references 6239 and 6241, as well as some early examples of references 6262 and 6264, this slightly later ref. 6262 example boasts an extremely rare Paul Newman dial with bi-color layout - the only red being the "Daytona" text above the hour counter.
Together with reference 6264, fitted with a black acrylic bezel, the metal bezel reference 6262 was the last Rolex chronograph watch to be fitted with pump pushers. Reference 6240, 6263 and 6265 all feature water resistant screw down pushers. While aesthetically similar to its predecessor reference 6239, reference 6262 was fitted with the upgraded Valjoux movement caliber 727, replacing the previous caliber 722-1. One minor aesthetic difference can be found in the slight architectural redesign of the lugs on the 6262 versus the earlier 6239 – they are slightly more elongated.
Presented in superb condition from the “Ride the Wave” collection, this premium ref. 6262 with its attractive bicolor Paul Newman dial has aged ever so slightly to a pleasing ivory color, with its original crème-colored lume plots remaining full and perfectly intact. The present lot is a spectacular example of the reference for the discerning collector.
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.