Important Modern & Vintage Timepieces
Monaco, Jul 19, 2022
LOT 367
ROLEX
REF. 6240, CHRONOGRAPH, MINUTE AND HOUR COUNTERS, BLACK DIAL WITH WHITE REGISTERS, "OYSTER" BRACELET; "COSMOGRAPH" SO-CALLED "PAUL NEWMAN"; STAINLESS STEEL
REF. 6240, CHRONOGRAPH, MINUTE AND HOUR COUNTERS, BLACK DIAL WITH WHITE REGISTERS, "OYSTER" BRACELET; "COSMOGRAPH" SO-CALLED "PAUL NEWMAN"; STAINLESS STEEL
EUR 200,000 - 400,000
USD 212,000 - 422,000 / HKD 1,660,000 - 3,310,000 / CHF 202,000 - 404,000
Very fine and very rare, stainless steel, manual-winding, “tonneau”-shaped, gentleman’s wristwatch, water-resistant with screwed case-back, “Oyster” winding-crown, black colour dial with white colour registers, so-called "Paul Newman", applied radial indexes with luminescent dots, subsidiary seconds at 9, chronograph (activated by the two round-shaped push-pieces, so-called "Millerighe") with tachometric scale graduated on the acrylic "epoxy" insert stainless steel bezel for 200 units per hour), half-instantaneous 30-minute counter and 12-hour counter.
| Grading System | |
|---|---|
Case: 2-8 |
Very good Slightly scratched |
Movement: 2* |
Very good Overhaul recommended, at buyer's expense |
Dial: 2-01 |
Very good HANDS Original |
Brand Rolex, Geneva
Model "Cosmograph", so-called "Paul Newman"
Reference 6240
Year 1967
Case No. 1 658 406
Material stainless steel
Bracelet stainless steel Rolex "Oyster" bracelet with deployant clasp
Diameter 37 mm.
Caliber 722-1 (based on Valjoux 72)
Signature dial, case and movement
Notes
Rolex, Ref. 6240
When Malcolm Campbell (1885-1948) broke the speed record of 445 km/h on the Daytona Beach circuit in 1935, it was with a Rolex on his wrist.
In 1959, the "Daytona International Speedway" was born, a four km long circuit that hosts the most famous car races such as the “Daytona 500” or the “Rolex 24 At Daytona”, the American equivalent of the “24 Heures” of Le Mans, of which the Rolex "Daytona" is also the official watch. The eponymous chronograph of the Rolex manufacture was thus consecrated as THE watch of the car racers.
In 1959, the "Daytona International Speedway" was born, a four km long circuit that hosts the most famous car races such as the “Daytona 500” or the “Rolex 24 At Daytona”, the American equivalent of the “24 Heures” of Le Mans, of which the Rolex "Daytona" is also the official watch. The eponymous chronograph of the Rolex manufacture was thus consecrated as THE watch of the car racers.
It is the reason why Rolex developed an “exotic” dial for racing drivers offering a better visibility. First, because of the two-colour dial, or like here the three-colour dial, in black and white with a red tachymeter scale; second with the indexes in the registers which are boldly square and Arabic numerals.
According to the specialists, although it has never been confirmed, for every one “exotic” dial, roughly 24-four “Daytona” dials were produced, and many of those "exotic" dials are no longer still in existence today. They are named “Paul Newman” after the famous eponymous Hollywood actor who use to wear a Rolex “Daytona” Ref. 6239 with an “exotic” dial.
According to the specialists, although it has never been confirmed, for every one “exotic” dial, roughly 24-four “Daytona” dials were produced, and many of those "exotic" dials are no longer still in existence today. They are named “Paul Newman” after the famous eponymous Hollywood actor who use to wear a Rolex “Daytona” Ref. 6239 with an “exotic” dial.
Produced between 1965 and 1969, the Ref. 6240 was considered as an experimental watch. Indeed it was the first water-resistant “Cosmograph” “Daytona” having screw-down chronograph push-pieces. With approximately 1 700 pieces made, it is, by far, the rarest screwed push-pieces, meaning “Oyster”, manual-winding “Daytona”.
To come across a Ref. 6240 is rare, but this example with its dial is even rarer. Here, the dial matches with the references 6262, 6264 and 6240. Only few example of 6240 appeared with an “exotic” dial and, at today, very few pieces exhibit a white three-colour “Paul Newman” dial.
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Rolex, “Daytona”
In 1963, the first “Cosmograph” introduced into Rolex’s collection was launched. In 1964, Rolex joined the French races “Le Mans” and also with the famous American car circuit “Daytona”. The “Cosmograph” was first marketed under the name “Le Mans”, but Rolex very quickly opted for the name “Daytona”. This is the beginning of a legendary adventure ...!