Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1968 Reference No: 6241 inside caseback stamped 6239 Case No: 1'766'150 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman" Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster "solid links" bracelet stamped "571" and "78350 19" to the endlinks, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "CP12" and "78350" Dimensions: 37.5mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by additional crystal in Rolex paper sleeve, Bucherer Service Guarantee card dated January 27, 2021, service details and service invoice documents dated March 2021, additional stainless steel Rolex pin buckle and Phillips leather strap
Catalogue Essay
Reference 6241 was produced approximately from 1966 to 1969. Scholars estimate that no more than 3'000 pieces were produced during the model’s manufacture period, of course only a small fraction of them bear the hallowed “Paul Newman” dial. With a dial configuration identical to Paul Newman’s “Paul Newman”, the present piece elevates the aesthetic package well above a "standard" Newman dial, as it boasts incredibly attractive mocha ‘tropical’ register beautifully aged with equal intensity and homogeneity - a true collector's dream. As with all correct ‘tropical’ dials, the white graphics inside the counters are clear and bright, indicating no unwarranted tampering.
Last appearing at auction in 2020, the present piece was in the meanwhile mechanically serviced by Bucherer. Denoting knowledge and respect for such an important timepiece, no important component was exchanged. Only the joints and the crystal have been upgraded and furthermore the old crystal still accompanies the watch, thus fully maintaining the originality of the piece while at the same time ensuring its perfect mechanical functioning. Furthermore, an Oyster bracelet was added to the piece, thus offering the possibility of wearing the piece with the more elegant leather strap or with the more sporty iconic Oyster bracelet - a further expansion of the already remarkable wearability of a Paul Newman Daytona.
"Paul Newman” dials found on references 6239 and 6241 have several peculiarities. They are incredibly three-dimensional, featuring a step between the outer register and the main background. Towards the end of the 1960s, the “T Swiss T” designation positioned at 6 o’clock was printed with a slight slant and thus dubbed the “sing-a-song” to collectors, which we see on this example. Later generation dials would feature a flatter “T Swiss T” script, no longer in a pyramid shape.
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.