Rolex - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1968
    Reference No: 6241
    Case No: 1’766’105
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, “Paul Newman”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 7835, end links stamped 71N, max length
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamp 4.68
    Dimensions: 37mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex presentation box, and copy of Rolex Service papers confirming the tri-color dial with case serial number 1’766’105.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex’s Daytona chronograph sits in the pantheon of greatest timepieces ever produced. First released in 1963 with the reference 6239, the model has evolved gracefully over the last five decades, and has become a grail watch amongst collectors. The reference 6241 was produced from approximately 1966 to 1969 with scholarship estimating no more than 3000 examples were manufactured, with only a small percentage fitted with the iconic “Paul Newman” dial. Produced in stainless steel as well as 14 karat and 18 karat gold, this reference was the first Daytona offered with a black acrylic bezel, offering an alternative to the steel bezel found on the reference 6239.
    Officially named the “exotic” dial by Rolex and now known worldwide as “Paul Newman” dials, they were poorly received by the market and discontinued at the beginning of the 1970s. Today, Paul Newman Daytonas are not only the most coveted vintage chronographs amongst Rolex collectors, but have become a household name due in large part to the record-breaking, USD $17.8 million obtained for Paul Newman’s personal Daytona fitted with a “Paul Newman” dial auctioned by Phillips in New York in October 2017.
    Featuring a dial configuration identical to Paul Newman’s “Paul Newman” Daytona, this reference 6241 is a wonderful example with a well-preserved case and dial. Its ivory white color aged beautifully with fully intact luminous hour markers, which have aged to a sandy yellow hue.

    Offered for the first time at auction, this Daytona has been safely stored in a vault over the last 20 years, and was lovingly serviced by Rolex. This is an excellent opportunity to own one of the most distinguished and sought after chronographs on the market today, and is a trophy piece for a collector.

  • 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. 6241
A rare and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Paul Newman” dial and bracelet

Circa 1968
37mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
$120,000 - 240,000 
CHF111,000-222,000
€106,000-213,000
HK$936,000-1,870,000

Sold for $277,200

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021