Rolex Daytona Paul Newman

The legendary Rolex Cosmograph "Daytona" wristwatch traces back at least to 1961, when Rolex began manufacturing the Rolex Cosmograph. Rolex was a sponsor of the Daytona 24 hour race at the time, and named its new chronograph watch after that famous race. It was a brilliant marketing ploy.

Although Rolex continues to manufacture a version of the "Daytona" to the present time, the rarest versions of the Rolex Daytona are the first versions, the 6238, 6239, 6240, 6241, 6262, 6263 6264 and 6265 References, made from 1961 to 1987, and now out of production. The 6238, 6239, 6241 and 6262 References were the first versions, and were not "Oyster" versions, they did not have a screw down winding crown or screw down timing buttons. The movement used was a manual wind Valjoux cal. 72, named the Rolex Cal. 722. The 6263, 6264 and 6265 References were produced commencing 1970, were Oyster versions with screw down crown and screw down timing buttons. The movement used remained based on the manual wind Valjoux cal. 72, but with some refinements, and was called the Rolex Cal. 727. These Daytonas are the original Rolex Daytona watches, and are very rare and very collectible. The movement has proven to be exceptionally reliable and accurate. In fact, the Cal. 727 was certified as a chronometer in some cases. [The Daytona Saga by William Messina]

By far the most rare of the original Rolex Daytona watches, in fact rarest of all Daytonas, are those with the so-called "Paul Newman" dial. The Paul Newman dial was an option available from Rolex for a limited time during production of these original Daytonas. It is considered an "exotic" dial. The appearance differences between a Paul Newman dial and a normal Daytona dial of the time are subtle and may pass without notice to the untrained or hurried eye. On closer inspection, the Paul Newman dial is distinct from a normal Daytona dial and if one knows what to look for, one can easily and quickly tell a Paul Newman dial from a normal Daytona dial. First, to be authentic, a Paul Newman dial must be in a Reference 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265 watch, installed by Rolex Geneva as original. All of these References had acrylic domed crystals. Once this simple provenance has been determined, the easiest visual way for the layman to determine a Paul Newman dial from a normal Daytona dial is in the sub-dials (the dials that are the opposite or contrasting color of the main dial). The sub-dials of a Paul Newman dial will have block markers instead of lines, will have crosshairs across each sub-dial meeting at centre (the normal Daytona dial does not), and the minutes sub-dial placed at 9:00 is marked at 15, 30, 45 and 60, whereas a normal Daytona dial is marked at 20, 40 and 60. A Paul Newman dial may or may not have the word "Daytona" written on the dial above the hour sub-dial located at 6:00. The Paul Newman dial came in four color and layout combinations, and was installed as an option by Rolex on the Daytona line of watches in the Reference 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265 watches. There are a number of other differences between a normal Daytona dial and a Paul Newman dial that a knowledgable collector will be aware of to determine authenticity. The Paul Newman dial has been out of production for some time now, probably since the early 1970's, and Rolex is not able to supply any replacement version of it. [BSJOnline June 2007] [The Daytona Saga by William Messina]

It is said that Paul Newman himself to this day wears a Reference 6239 Daytona and has done so since 1972, the watch having been given to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, when Mr. Newman took up automobile racing.

Interestingly, these original Daytona watches were not in demand when produced, and accordingly were available for appallingly little money, but have gained rapid esteem in the collector milieu and today are known as the "Holy Grail" of collectible watches and fetch astronomical prices at auction, purchased by avid collectors in the know and other cognoscenti. They do not become less rare with the passage of time, particularly the Paul Newman dial version. [Paul Newman by Samuel E Rinaldi] [Rolex Daytona 90 by James Montgomery]

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