Rolex - The New York Watch Auction: XI New York Saturday, December 7, 2024 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1970
    Reference No: 6262; inside caseback additionally stamped 6239
    Case No: 2’553’499
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex folded Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped 357, max overall length 190mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 3.72
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Superbly iconic and highly sought-after, Rolex “Paul Newman” dials are widely considered one of the most beautifully-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. Only in production for four short years, making it one of rarest Daytona models, it was quickly replaced by the references 6263 and 6265 with waterproof, screw-down pushers.

    Exactly what one would expect to find on this 2.5 million serial watch, the dial features a white outer scale with white flat "T Swiss T" designation, an evolution from the previously seen red scales with sing-a-song T Swiss T designation. The Paul Newman dial is beautiful and very well-preserved, with a charming ivory dial and all of its original luminous material intact.

  • 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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153

Ref. 6262; inside caseback additionally stamped 6239
A rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” exotic dial and bracelet

Circa 1970
37mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$150,000 - 300,000 
CHF132,000-264,000
€141,000-281,000
HK$1,170,000-2,330,000

Sold for $203,200

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Deputy Chairman, Watches, Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
watchesny@phillips.com

Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: XI

New York Auction 7 - 8 December 2024