Superbly rare and stunning, the present Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, reference 6239, is fitted with an extraordinary and exclusive retailer-signed ‘Paul Newman’ dial. Bearing the Linz signature, this Texas based retailer was founded in 1877, and grew as a result of the contribution of five brothers. Delightfully nicknamed the ‘Linz Paul Newman’, the present Rolex Cosmograph was made in 1968 and is one of the rarest reference 6239s known to exist. The firm’s co-founder Joseph Linz retired in 1907, prompting the remaining family members to change the company name from Linz to Linz Brothers.
Their unforgettable logo, with the letter N printed backwards, adds an interesting element to the dial that makes it extremely desireable to collectors. As a result, this wristwatch is an ultra rare member of the revered Rolex Daytona family of watches, and only an elite few are able to proudly say this watch has graced their collection. The grené off-white Paul Newman tri-color dial combined with the black subsidiary dials creates a color scheme that truly is as good as it gets, with the bright red ‘Daytona’ text at 6 o’clock and the red outer seconds scale. Its desirability is further enhanced by its overall excellent condition.
Since leaving the Linz retail store, the present watch has continued to be cherished in the most esteemed private collections in the world. Illustrating its importance, the widely acclaimed Daytona authority, Pucci Papaleo, chose this very watch to be prominently featured in his historical tome, “Ultimate Rolex Daytona”. For the enthusiast who cherishes history and extreme rarity, this piece is an heirloom that echoes the legacies of both a family-owned retailer and superior craftsmanship by Rolex.