Rolex

• cal. 722-1 manual winding nickel lever movement, 17 jewels • tri-colour white brown and red dial, applied square indexes, luminous baton hands, 3 engine-turned brown subsidiary dials for 30-minute and 12-hour registers and constant seconds, outer minute and 1/5 second divisions • brushed and polished Oyster case with screw-down crown, pushers and back, steel bezel calibrated for 200 units • case, dial and movement signed • with a stainless steel Oyster bracelet

Please note that the movement has not been checked for timekeeping accuracy and Sotheby's will not be held responsible for any repairs should they be require. Movement is in working order while cataloguing but the zero-back system is not resetting to zero properly. Dial in good conditions with registers faded into a brown shade and the outer minute and second divisions in red changed into light red. Luminous dots are missing. Case in good condition. Overall it is a very rare model due to its colour changed registers.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping.

Important Notice regarding importation into the United States of Rolex watches
Sotheby's cannot arrange for the delivery of Rolex watches to the United States because U.S. laws restricts the import of Rolex watches. The buyer or a designated agent may collect the property in the country of sale."

Referred to as the 'Paul Newman’ dial by Rolex collectors, the present watch bears a unique and highly attractive dial discoloration both to the registers and outer minute track. Amongst all reference 6239 chronographs, the present example could be considered by Daytona enthusiasts to be the most exquisite ‘brown dial’. As collectors and scholars have noticed over recent years, some dials have acquired unique and unusual discoloration and patination with age and the effect on the present watch is arguably the best in terms of iconography.
The exotic dial ‘Paul Newman’ lends itself, perhaps better than any other brand or model, to the enhancing effects of age related discolouration and patination. As a consequence, the collector’s dream to own the most beautiful color change dials has led to some extraordinary results in recent auctions, notably the 6263/6239 inverted Oyster brown dial which sold at Sotheby’s Geneva in November 2010 for CHF 464,500.
This present reference 6239 is part of the last series equipped with the caliber 722-1 and surpasses all expectations from a collector’s point of view, being the first one seen to have this unique and even tone of discoloration. The watch’s undeniable aesthetic appeal is certain to captivate Rolex aficionados.