Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1971
    Reference No: 6263, inside caseback stamped 6239
    Case No: 2'648'519
    Model Name: Oyster Cosmograph, "Paul Newman Panda"
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 727, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 7835 19, end links stamped 271, max length 200mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 1.71
    Dimensions: 37.5mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
    Literature: A similar example of a stainless steel reference 6263 "Panda" is illustrated in Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, pages 348 and 349

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s Oyster Cosmograph has become one of the most celebrated vintage wristwatches today, with collectors passionately vying for the best of the best amongst these icons. The “Paul Newman” dial iteration is even loftier amongst the ranks of rare and sought after chronographs, and within this very select group certain configurations are considered the pinnacle. The “Paul Newman Panda” variant is one of the most desirable amongst collectors today. The nickname “Panda” derived from the dial’s similarity to the bear with a similar white and black pattern. It has a modern classic aesthetic with a clear and easily readable dial.

    Rolex released the reference 6263, along with the reference 6265, in 1969 as a replacement to their first “Oyster” chronograph the reference 6240. While the 6265 retained a steel engraved bezel, the reference 6263 featured the black acrylic bezel with white tachometer scale first seen on the 6240 when it was introduced in 1965. Both the reference 6263 and 6265 were released in stainless steel or gold and featured the upgraded Valijoux caliber 727.

    The present early example has all the hallmarks desired by scholars of the Rolex Daytona. From 1971, the watch features pushers, which are absolutely correct for the reference and serial number, featuring flat-top ridges as opposed to the sharp-top ones found on later iterations. Scholarship suggest these pushers can be found on watches bearing serial numbers between 2.1 and 2.9 million. The caseback is correctly stamped C. R. S. and stamped 6239 indicating that Rolex was using left over cases for their newer production.

    The reference 6263 was produced from 1969 until the late 1980s, and while it is a premier reference amongst watch aficionados, the “Paul Newman” version is highly sought after, the present example is in lovely well-preserved condition and with its “Panda” configuration, it will be a watch all collectors want, but few will own.

  • 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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FROM AN IMPORTANT ASIAN COLLECTOR

Ο825

Ref. 6263, inside caseback stamped 6239
A very rare and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman Panda” dial and bracelet

1971
37.5mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
HK$2,400,000 - 4,000,000 
€264,000-440,000
$308,000-513,000

Sold for HK$4,360,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018