Rolex Daytona 6262

Rolex Daytona 6262 Three Color Black Paul Newman Dial

Released in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has become perhaps the most iconic chronograph the world has ever seen. Famed for its legendary design, a rich heritage in motorsport and ties to famed actor and race car driver Paul Newman whose wearing the watch spurred a watch collector frenzy, the Daytona's reputation precedes itself. However, it wasn’t always that way for the Daytona. Released to celebrate Rolex becoming the Daytona International Speedway's official timekeeper the year before in 1962, the Cosmograph was actually a commercial failure in the early years of its launch. Debuting as the ref. 6239, the Cosmograph was up against industry titans like Heuer, Breitling and others. Measuring in at 37mm and powered by its iconic Valjoux movement, the ref. 6239 was always up to the task, but customers would choose the other options instead. While Rolex had called the Cosmograph both the Le Mans and the Daytona, they eventually stuck with the Daytona name in 1965 and birthed the fully-fledged icon that we know today. In addition to the evolution of its name, another tactic Rolex employed to popularize their watch was giving it new dial variants, with the exotic dial, or “Paul Newman” dial as it is known, existing as one of those dial variants. Offered here we have the fabled Daytona ref. 6262. Launched in 1970 and produced for only one year, the ref. 6262 introduced the upgraded manual-wind Valjoux cal. 727 to the Daytona, while reintroducing pump chronograph pushers and a stainless steel bezel to the collection. While the ref. 6262 is a rare watch in and of itself, the example we have here is particularly notable due to its black exotic “Paul Newman” dial, as identifiable with square counters in its white subdials and red accents along its white chapter ring. An icon of horology and greater pop culture, the Paul Newman Daytona was popularized in the 1980s when collectors caught on to Paul Newman wearing his famous example, and since then the Daytona as a whole has become one of the most desirable watches in horology, and the four digit ‘Paul Newman’ exotic dial examples like the one we have here stand as the apex predator of that food chain. Brand : Rolex Dimensions : 37.5mm Model : Daytona Movement : Manual-wind Valjoux cal. 727 Reference : 6262 Bracelet : Stainless Steel Folded Oyster Bracelet with 271 Endpieces Year : Circa 1970 Condition : Excellent Material : Stainless steel Included : Watch, Inner and Outer Box Dial Color : Black THE DIAL Boasting the exotic or "Paul Newman" dial, this ref. 6263 features a reverse panda dial with its white subdials sporting a unique serif font with red inscriptions along the white chapter ring that surrounds the dial's large black center. THE CONSTRUCTION Identical to the Daytona ref. 6239, the ref. 6262 boasts the same pump pushers and stainless steel bezel as the watch that Paul Newman himself wore, only the ref. 6262 is powered by the upgraded cal. 727 movement. TIMING MACHINE READOUT This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.