Important Watches, Collector's Wristw...

Noga Hilton, Geneva, Jun 14, 2003

LOT 336

So-called "Paul Newman" Rolex Oyster Cosmograph, so-called "Paul Newman", Ref. 6239/6240, with anti-reflex black bezel. Produced from 1961 to 1976. Very fine and rare, water-resistant, stainless steel gentleman's wristwatch with round button chronograph, registers, tachometer and a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet.

CHF 30,000 - 40,000

EUR 20,000 - 27,000 / USD 23,000 - 31,000

Sold: CHF 43,700

C. three-body, polished and brushed, screwed-down case back, buttons and crown, tachometer graduation on the bezel to 200 units per hour.D. matte silver with applied steel tritium-coated indexes, auxiliary "guilloché" black dials for the seconds, the 12 hour and 30 minute registers. "Bâton" tritium-coated steel hands. M. Cal. 727, rhodium-plated, 17 jewels, straight line lever escapement, monometallic balance adjusted to 3 positions, shock-absorber, self-compensating Breguet balance spring.Dial, case, and movement signed.Diam. 37 mm.


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Grading System
Grade: AAA

Excellent

Case: 3

Good

Movement: 3*

Good

Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense

Dial: 3-5-01

Good

Poor

HANDS Original

Notes

Ref. 6239 Produced from 1961 to 1976. The first examples with the exotic dial, the so-called "Paul ewman" model, came on the market around 1970. They were produced in 18K yellow gold, 14K yellow gold, and stainless steel. A similar watch is published in "Rolex, Collecting Wristwatches", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova, 2001, pp. 439, 442, 444, 445, 446, 487, 488, 489. Ref. 6240 This reference was produced in stainless steel only from 1965 to 1969, in very few examples. It was published in the Rolex catalogues for the Italian market in 1966 and was the first Cosmograph watch with screwed-down chronograph buttons. It may be considered as a prototype of the references 6263 and 6265. A similar watch is published in "Collecting Rolex Wristwatches", by Osvaldo Patrizzi, Guido Mondani Editore, Genova 2001, p. 447.