Rolex

• cal.722-1 manual winding nickel lever movement, 17 jewels • black dial, applied square and luminescent indexes to the outer silvered chapter ring with red seconds track, three engine-turned silvered subsidiary dials indicating constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers • two round chronograph pushers to the band, bezel engraved and calibrated for 300 units, screw back and screw-down crown • case, dial and movement signed

The movement is running and the chronograph is working, however is may require service soon. The case has some minor wear and light surface scratches throughout. The outside of the caseback is in nice condition with only minor wear. The lugs appear to have been lightly polished at some point. The numbers between the lugs read 1781960 and 6239, and the number on the inside of the caseback reads 6239. The dial is in nice condition with only minor spotting to the subsidiary dials and slight discoloration to the luminous dots in the outer ring.
"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."

Beginning in the late 1960s, Rolex offered special dials, known as 'exotic' dials, on their Cosmograph Daytona models. Years later, watches with these dials became known as 'Paul Newman' models, because the actor is presumed to have worn one such watch in the 1969 racing film 'Winning'.

The so-called 'Paul Newman' dial is characterized by square markers in the chronograph scale and subsidiary dials and the alternating patterning of the coloration. Though widely available at the time, theses dials were produced in smaller numbers and are rarer to find on watches today.

This particular example features a steel bezel engraved and calibrated for 300 units per hour. Such bezels appeared on the very first examples of the Ref. 6239. Not long after its release, it was replaced by a bezel calibrated for 200 units per hour, as seen on the following lot, made likely only about a year later than the present example.