The 18k JPS Paul Newman Daytona 6264

Few timepieces are more coveted than a late-1960s gold Rolex Daytona. At the top of this exclusive group is a true gem: the ‘John Player Special’, named after the legendary 1970s Formula 1 livery, due to its black and gold “Paul Newman” dial. Exceedingly rare and produced in very small quantities over a short period of time, Daytona JPS models seldom appear for sale and fewer than 10 pieces of a gold ref. 6264 are known to exist. This single lot sale offers an ultra-rare Rolex Daytona JPS reference 6264 in 18-carat gold.

ROLEX, COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA PAUL NEWMAN "JOHN PLAYER SPECIAL", REF 6264 AN EXTREMELY RARE AND OUTSTANDINGLY BEAUTIFUL YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET CIRCA 1969. ESTIMATE £320,000–650,000.

How the Rolex Daytona Became a Collector Favourite
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A History of the Manual Rolex Daytona

1963
1965
1966
1969
1969
1975
1988

Rolex introduced the Cosmograph model.

Reference 6239
The reference 6240 was introduced. The model featured screw down pushers increasing water resistance and a new acrylic bezel.

Reference 6240
The reference 6241 was introduced. The model featured the traditional pump pushers for the chronograph and also the new calibrated acrylic insert .

Reference 6241
The celebrated references 6263 and 6265 were introduced in stainless steel, 14k and 18k gold. The reference was powered with the new 722 calibre and both references featured screw down pushers and a metal or acrylic calibrated bezel.

Reference 6263
Reference 6265
The references 6262 and 6264 were introduced both with push down buttons. These are the rarest Daytona references and a 6264 made in 18k gold is thought to exist in fewer than 10 examples.

Reference 6262
Reference 6264
The “Big Red” Daytona dials were released for the reference 6265 and 6263.

Reference 6265
Reference 6263
Rolex introduced its first automatic Daytona, reference 16520.

Reference 16520