Important Collectors' Wristwatches, P...

Geneva, May 08, 2010

LOT 465

Rolex Ref. 6239 Stainless Steel ?Paul Newman? Rolex, ?Oyster Cosmograph Daytona?, case No. 1626225, Ref. 6239. Made circa 1963. Very fine and rare stainless steel wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer, steel bezel and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with Fliplock clasp.

CHF 35,000 - 50,000

USD 33,000 - 48,000 / EUR 25,000 - 35,000

Sold: CHF 56,400

C. Three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back and crown, tachometer graduation on the bezel to 200 units per hour. D. Bicolor silver and black with applied steel square indexes and luminous dots, subsidiary dials for the seconds, the 12-hour and 30-minute registers, outer 1/5th seconds division. Luminous steel baton hands. M. Cal. 722-1, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to three positions, shock absorber, self-compensating free-sprung Breguet balance spring, Microstella regulating screws. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 37 mm. Thickness 14 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent
Case: 3

Good
Movement: 3-8*

Good

Slightly scratched

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense
Dial: 3-6-01

Good

Slightly oxidized

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 6239 The Reference 6239 was produced from 1961 to 1976, and the first examples with exotic dial, the so-called "Paul Newman," came on the market in the late 60's. 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 versions it was graduated to 200.
The Ref. 6239 was replaced by the Ref. 6263. It is said that Paul Newman wore a Ref. 6239 "Daytona" since 1972, the watch having been given to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, when Mr. Newman took up automobile racing.