Fine and very rare stainless steel manual-winding chronograph, featuring the celebrated “Paul Newman” exotic dial, its originally dark surface displaying an attractive tropical evolution towards warm brown tones, red outer minute track and red “DAYTONA” designation above the subsidiary register at 6 o’clock. With black acrylic tachymeter bezel, screw-down case back, pump chronograph pushers and stainless steel Oyster bracelet.

The reference 6241 occupies a particularly important position within the history of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. Produced for only a relatively short period during the second half of the 1960s, it is distinguished from the reference 6239 by its black acrylic bezel, giving the watch a dramatically different appearance.
The present example is further distinguished by its highly coveted “Paul Newman” exotic dial. Characterized by its contrasting subsidiary registers, Art Deco numerals, square-ended register markers and distinctive red details, this dial configuration has become one of the most recognizable designs in vintage Rolex collecting.

Of particular appeal is the tropical evolution visible across the dark dial surface. Rather than remaining uniformly black, the dial has developed warm brown and tobacco tones, creating a striking contrast with the silver registers and red printing.

Very few comparable examples have appeared publicly at auction. Most notably, a Rolex Daytona reference 6262 “Paul Newman”, case no. 2,750,821, featuring a naturally discoloured “Dark Chocolate” main dial, was offered by Aguttes in Paris in December 2024. Preserved by the family of its original owner and accompanied by its presentation box, the watch achieved an exceptional €705,399 including premium. Aguttes specifically noted the natural discoloration of the dial to its distinctive dark chocolate tone.

An even rarer expression of the same phenomenon can be found among the celebrated reference 6263 “Oyster Sotto” Paul Newman Daytonas. Monaco Legend Auctions sold a reference 6263, case no. 2,197,852, in October 2023 for €1,730,000 including premium. Its originally black Paul Newman dial had developed an exceptionally homogeneous tropical brown coloration described by the auction house as a rich “milk chocolate” hue.

Combining the rarity of the reference 6241, the iconic Paul Newman dial configuration and an attractive tropical patina, the present watch represents a particularly charismatic example of one of the most desirable vintage Rolex chronographs.