Important Collectors’ Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, Nov 16, 2008

LOT 303

Ref. 6239, Cosmograph Daytona, Paul Newman Rolex, ?Oyster Cosmograph, Daytona", case No. 1626201 Ref. 6239. Made in 1967. Very fine and very rare, water-resistant, stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with deployant clasp.

CHF 65,000 - 85,000

USD 60,000 - 80,000 / EUR 40,000 - 55,000

Sold: CHF 74,400

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, tachometer graduation on the steel bezel to 200 units per hour. D. Three-color matte black and matte white with square steel indexes and luminous dots, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer minute/seconds division in red. Luminous steel baton hands. M. Cal. 722-1, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 3 positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring,Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 37 mm. Thickness 13 mm. Approx. overall length 180 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-01

Good

HANDS Original

Notes

The ref. 6239 was produced from 1961 to 1976. The first examples with exotic dial, the so-called ?Paul Newman?, came on the market in the late 60s. They were produced in 18K yellow gold, 14K yellow gold and stainless steel. Since the ref. 6239 has round non-screwed down push buttons, some collectors consider it a ?Non-Oyster? model. The famous ?Daytona? inscription was introduced circa 1964. In the very early models the bezel was graduated to 300 units/hour and in the later version it was graduated to 200. Reference 6239 was replaced by ref. 6263. It is said that Paul Newman wore a ref. 6239 ?Daytona? and did so since 1972. The watch was given to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, when he took up automobile racing.