Rolex - Geneva Watch Auction: TWO Geneva Saturday, November 7, 2015 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1969
    Reference No: 6239
    Case No: 2'003'112
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 722, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Oyster folded links, end links stamped 71, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Folding deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 36.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: For this actual reference 6239 with Tiffany & Co. signature, see Pucci Papaleo Ultimate Rolex Daytona, pg. 6

  • Catalogue Essay

    The reference 6239 was the very first model of the celebrated "Cosmograph" series and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It was produced until 1976 and was available in stainless steel, 14ct and 18ct gold. The reference 6239 was the firm's first chronograph with the tachometer scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability.

    The so-called "exotic," later named the "Paul Newman" by Italian collectors, soon became available for the reference 6239 and were either two-colored white/cream and black or three-colored, such as the present watch, with the addition of the red seconds scales.

    When to most Rolex collectors a regular 6239 Cosmograph represents a must have, more discerning (and lucky) collectors are aiming to own one day an example with a Paul Newman dial. To call one day a Tiffany Paul Newman one's own is an extraordinary accomplishment. According to scholarship, this number can be quite precisely named - it is our understanding that only four authentic and correct examples are accounted for today. This makes the present watch one of the world's most important and valuable, yet subtle Rolex Cosmographs, and most likely years will go by until another example may become available.

    The condition of the present example must be described as excellent; it should therefore not surprise anyone that the broadly acclaimed Daytona authority, Pucci Papaleo, chose this very watch to be prominently featured in his historical tome dedicated to the Rolex Daytona.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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Ref. 6239
An extremely rare and important stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, retailed by Tiffany & Co.

1969
36.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
CHF200,000 - 400,000 

Sold for CHF461,000

Contact Specialist
Nathalie Monbaron
+41 22 317 81 83

Geneva Watch Auction: TWO

Geneva Auction 7 & 8 November 2015 6:30pm