Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1970 Reference No: 6239; inside caseback additionally stamped 6239 Case No: 2’330’444 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman John Player Special” Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet, end links stamped 71, 200mm max overall length Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 37mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed. Accessories: Rolex Atelier de Restauration guarantee paperwork, detailed invoice, fitted wooden presentation box, and outer box.
Catalogue Essay
Of the 14,000 reference 6239s produced beginning in 1963 until 1969, only approximately 300 were cased in 18K yellow gold. And of those 300, only the barest handful were fitted with the luxurious, audacious black Paul Newman “John Player Special” dial. The present example is one of those, having been serviced and authenticated by Rolex Geneva’s own Atelier de Restauration in 2021, with only its movement serviced. It remains preserved in stunning condition, with a flawless dial and impressively proportioned case and bracelet.
While it is most common to see the JPS dial fitted to the acrylic bezel reference 6241, it is even rarer – though not unheard of – to see it fitted to the metal bezel reference 6239. When paired with an ultra-luxurious 18K yellow gold Oyster bracelet, the effect is unparalleled. Fitted with the extremely coveted “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial, the combination is unquestionably striking.
Though serviced by Rolex, the service invoice included with the watch gives explicit instructions not to restore the case, bracelet, or dial. Of all the interventions that could have taken place, only the movement was serviced and the crystal replaced. The dial retains the correct “T-SWISS-T” “sing-a-song” variant, and the bezel is a slightly later, Mark 2 200 UPH from the mid 1970s.
The combination of the gold bezel and gold bracelet is quite an alluring one, and the wrist presence it provides unrivaled. We are thrilled to present this reference 6239 with black Paul Newman “John Player Special” dial from the collection of an international connoisseur.
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.
Ref. 6239; inside caseback additionally stamped 6239 An extremely rare, luxurious, and well-preserved yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, black “Paul Newman John Player Special” dial, and Rolex Atelier de Restauration guarantee and box
Circa 1970 37mm Diameter Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
