Rolex
Ref. 6239
A very rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and bracelet
Manufacturer : Rolex
Year : Circa 1969
Reference No : 6239
Case No : 1’988’104, inside caseback stamped “6239
Model Name : Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman
Material : Stainless steel
Calibre : Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
Bracelet/Strap : Stainless steel Rolex riveted Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm
Clasp/Buckle : Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “ROLEX U.S.A C&I 77
Dimensions : 36.5mm diameter
Signed : Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed A legendary sports icon and highly sought-after, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman” ref. 6239 became a phenomenon the moment the gavel hammered down on selling with a record breaking price of $17.52 million USD, world’s most expensive wristwatch belonging to the Hollywood legend himself, Paul Newman.
A quintessential “Paul Newman” Daytona, this example perfectly embodies the Hollywood legend. It was during the filming of “Winning” that Paul Newman fell in love with racing. His wife, Joanne Woodward, consequently gifted this exact Daytona variant to her husband, inscribed with phrase “DRIVE CAREFULLY ME”. It is thanks to this particular design that exotic-dialed Cosmographs are now synonymous with the philanthropic icon.
Making its important debut in 1963, the ref. 6239 was the very first reference to feature “Daytona” on the dial and was also the very first chronograph by the firm to have an engraved tachymeter scale on the bezel instead of the dial. Produced mainly in stainless steel, the reference was also made in 14K and 18K yellow gold. Originally named as the "Le Mans", it was eventually named the "Daytona” after the 24 Hours of Daytona automobile race - a choice possibly also motivated by marketing reason, the USA being at the time a fast-growing market for the company.
While it was released with either a silver or a black dial, dial supplier Singer made a small batch of what was referred to as “exotic dials” and later known more commonly as “Paul Newman” dials. These rare and exotic dials featured an art-deco inspired graphic and typography compared to regular examples. It is believed that only between 1,000 – 1,500 examples of pump pusher references including 6239, 6241 and 6262 were produced with “Paul Newman” dials. Furthermore, differing from earlier examples of the reference, examples from 1967 – 1969 featured the updated cal. 722-1, such as the present wristwatch.
Bearing the same configuration as Paul Newman’s timepiece, the present example dates back to circa 1969 with a 1.98 million serial. Sparking memories of the Newman phenomenon, this model is one of the most iconic Daytonas ever produced.
