What goes together better than a Rolex Daytona and Paul Newman? The two are almost inseparable amongst watch enthusiasts. Paul Newman’s own Daytona became the most expensive watch in the world in 2017 when it sold at auction for $17.5 million USD, and it looks like Christie’s wants to challenge that with their own Newman associated Daytona.
With only three out in the world, the Rolex Daytona 6263 Paul Newman Lemon Dial is known as “The Legend” for a reason.
These 18K gold variants date back to 1969 when Daytonas weren’t one of the most popular watches in the world. These became so rare that many in the watch world couldn’t actually decide if it was real or not, but somehow Christie’s got their hands on one.
Rémi Guillemin, Head of Watches at Christie’s Geneva, believes that this watch “is to my eyes the best-preserved of only three known to exist.” That will surely up the price just a tad. The current pre-sale estimates value watch at CHF 3,000,000 – 5,000,000 (~$4,791,000 – $7,986,000 AUD).
Why is it so sought after (other than its scarcity)? Other than the Paul Newman features (layout, contrasting sub-dials etc.), the watch is valuable because it came from an era of experimentation with colour for Rolex, hence the small numbers produced. Those screw-down chronograph pushers and 18k gold case are also a combination that many believed didn’t exist on lemon dial models. All this adds up to that monster price.
Other than all the things that make it valuable, is it a good-looking watch? Yeah, of course it is. For me, it’s the sub-dials. They don’t look machine printed, but hand done, blemishes and all, but again, you could say that of all Daytonas from the 60s.
The watch will go on sale November 7.
At A Glance
Size: 37.5mm
Dial: Lemon with white subsidiaries
Case: 18K yellow gold
Bracelet: 18K Rolex Oyster with deployant clasp
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