Notes
** This lot will require an export license/passport. Please refer to the T&Cs for further information
Provenance
Property of a Gentleman from Monaco
Biography
When Malcom campbell broke the speed record of 445 km/h with his Bluebird on the Daytona Beach track in 1935, he had his Rolex on the wrist.
This partnership initiated between the brand and the pilot by Hans Wilsdorf founder Of Rolex himself, is considered as the first engagement with adventurers and pioneers, a tradition that continues to this day, making it a major event in the brand's history.
In memory of this great adventure, Rolex decided in 1963 to name "Daytona" its first chronograph intended for car racing enthusiasts...
The iconic actor Paul Newman, himself an excellent car racer, probably the best symbol of casual class and cool chic, made no mistake when he chose to wear a timepiece that combined elegance and performance: his choice goes for the Rolex Daytona.
The Daytona was offered with two dial styles, the one that would later be nicknamed the "Paul Newman" in honor of its illustrious ambassador, was initially designated as the "exotic dial" by Rolex.
These specific dials, of great beauty and unique style, are now the object of true worship.
The example offered for sale, a Daytona reference 6263 Panda dial (cream white background and contrasting black registers) is the most sought-after version with its first-generation screw-down pushers, its "Oyster" designation on the dial, which the versions with classic pushers do not have, and the superb black "Bakelite" bezel.