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Lot Essay
A truly awesome 18k gold reference 6239 dating from 1968, this ‘Champagne Paul Newman’ Daytona impresses from the very moment it is seen. Not only incredibly good looking and superbly preserved in exceptional original condition, to the best of our knowledge, it is the first time it has been offered at international auction. This gold 6239 is one of the great rarities of the Daytona family, only a tiny number, thought to be around 300 pieces - a fraction of the approximately 14,000 watches made during reference 6239s production run - were cased in gold. Its rarity is magnified as one of a very small number of known examples fitted with a champagne-coloured ‘Paul Newman’ dial with gold graphics in the subsidiary dials. Made originally for the American market, the movement balance bridge is accordingly engraved ‘ROW’, this being Rolex’s code for watches intended for import into the United States.
The overall aesthetic of this reference 6239 is simply breathtaking, exuding vintage luxury, the gold case with polished tachymeter bezel perfectly harmonizing with the pale champagne of the dial, the raised gold indexes sparkling as they catch the light. The look is completed by the black outer minutes/seconds scale and black subsidiary dials with gold graphics that achieve the perfect tonal colour contrast.
Surviving in quite remarkable condition, it is evident that this watch has not been regularly worn over the last almost 60 years. The gold on the bezel has developed a patina that occurs only after many years being stored away and is so highly-prized by collectors. Displaying full proportions and with correct brushed surface finishes, the sharp edges of the case retain excellent definition. Equally impressive, the engraved numbers between the lugs, and the punched gold hallmark on the back of the lower-right lug is superbly crisp and sharp. Interestingly, research has established that the present watch was always presented on a strap rather than a gold bracelet.
‘Glorious’ is the only way to describe the untouched champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial, showing the lightest and most charming natural aging, the luminous dots remain intact and full, and match the hands perfectly. The ‘T Swiss T’ designation below 6 o’clock is the correct style for this model, being noticeably bolder and featuring the distinctive ‘slanted W’ in the word ‘Swiss’. The reverse of the dial is correctly signed by the dial maker Singer.
It is a rare occurrence indeed when such a sublimely original specimen of this rarest variation of the reference 6239 appears on the open market. The present specimen, previously unknown to the global market, affords international collectors the chance to obtain a true Rolex vintage grail watch, an impeccable gold reference 6239 with ‘champagne’ Paul Newman dial.
The overall aesthetic of this reference 6239 is simply breathtaking, exuding vintage luxury, the gold case with polished tachymeter bezel perfectly harmonizing with the pale champagne of the dial, the raised gold indexes sparkling as they catch the light. The look is completed by the black outer minutes/seconds scale and black subsidiary dials with gold graphics that achieve the perfect tonal colour contrast.
Surviving in quite remarkable condition, it is evident that this watch has not been regularly worn over the last almost 60 years. The gold on the bezel has developed a patina that occurs only after many years being stored away and is so highly-prized by collectors. Displaying full proportions and with correct brushed surface finishes, the sharp edges of the case retain excellent definition. Equally impressive, the engraved numbers between the lugs, and the punched gold hallmark on the back of the lower-right lug is superbly crisp and sharp. Interestingly, research has established that the present watch was always presented on a strap rather than a gold bracelet.
‘Glorious’ is the only way to describe the untouched champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial, showing the lightest and most charming natural aging, the luminous dots remain intact and full, and match the hands perfectly. The ‘T Swiss T’ designation below 6 o’clock is the correct style for this model, being noticeably bolder and featuring the distinctive ‘slanted W’ in the word ‘Swiss’. The reverse of the dial is correctly signed by the dial maker Singer.
It is a rare occurrence indeed when such a sublimely original specimen of this rarest variation of the reference 6239 appears on the open market. The present specimen, previously unknown to the global market, affords international collectors the chance to obtain a true Rolex vintage grail watch, an impeccable gold reference 6239 with ‘champagne’ Paul Newman dial.