Signed Rolex, Oyster, Cosmograph, Paul Newman Model, Ref. 6265, Case No. 2'851'490, Circa 1971

Among the most rare and attractive variations of the legendary Paul Newman dial, the so-called “Panda” version is distinguished by its striking color scheme. The only colors present on this dial are white (background) and black (registers and outer track). It is speculated that this monochromatic version was designed to boost the sales of the Exotic (as Rolex used to call Paul Newman dials at the time). In fact, Paul Newman dials were not appreciated at the time of their commercialization: the public deemed them too unusual and eccentric, and this is the reason behind their scarcity. The Panda variation exchanges the red fifth of a second divisions for white ones, making the overall look of the dial more elegant and streamlined. As this design was soon discontinued (it can be found on serial numbers between circa 2.2 and circa 3 million), it is a safe assumption that the effort did not succeed. As a matter of fact, Paul Newman dials in their entirety will go out of production just a little while later (the last ones can be found on serial numbers around 3.2 million).