
Reference 6240 'Paul Newman' Daytona | A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Circa 1967
Auction Closed
March 7, 07:13 PM GMT
Estimate
180,000 - 240,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Reference 6240 'Paul Newman' Daytona
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Circa 1967
Dial: black
Caliber: cal. Valjoux 722 mechanical, 17 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 1'659'569
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 37.5 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 190 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: Rolex presentation box, Guarantee Certificate (undated), booklets and hang tags
In production from 1965 to 1969, the reference 6240 was the first Daytona to incorporate screw-down pushers and thus became the first waterproof Cosmograph model to be produced by Rolex. Manufactured solely in stainless steel, the chronograph also features an acrylic tachometer bezel calibrated to 200. There were a few different dial variations found on the reference 6240. Early examples such as the present watch are distinguished by the lack of ‘Oyster’ written on the dial, not yet referring to the screw down pushers. The present watch is further fitted with a highly attractive ‘Paul Newman’ exotic dial, characterized by its square markers in the chronograph scale and subsidiary dials, as well as the alternating patterning of the coloration. Between the 1960s to1980s, it is believed that for every 20 normal Daytona dials, there would be one exotic dial made, making it highly desirable.
The present lot is in excellent condition, and the serial number matches what research believes to be correct for Rolex 6240s with originally fitted Paul Newman dials. They should, just like the present lot, be starting with 1'659'XXX.