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Lot Essay
Of all the Rolex Paul Newman watches, the reference 6264 must be considered the rarest and perhaps most coveted. The reference 6264 on offer here excites even more. It is is in excellent overall condition, displaying sharp milling on the back and crisp gold marks on the underside of the lugs, as well as beautifully preserved outlines. This alone would be enough to entice the eager connoisseur. However, the present watch stands out by virtue of two additional rare features. Firstly, it is distinguishable by its white printing on the engine-turned black subsidiary dials. Rolex usually produced yellow gold Paul Newman Cosmographs with champagne-coloured numbers and calibration on their black totalizers. Secondly, it displays the rare colour-change feature on its outer fifths of a second chapter ring. Upon close inspection, the trained eye will perceive the dark chocolate colour of the chapter ring, which has changed from the original black over the years. Only a few Rolex watches display such a colour-change on their dials, greatly enhancing their desirability among collectors.
With its deep brown rim, the watch is as "healthy" and original as dark chocolate. This watch is as exceptional a trophy as any discerning Rolex aficionado could wish for.
Rolex reference 6264 was introduced in 1970 and produced for only three years. Together with reference 6262, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch featuring the simple round push-down buttons. All future chronograph references, starting with references 6263 and 6265 in 1971, bear screw down chronograph buttons. Reference 6264 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14K and 18K gold. It has a bezel with black plastic insert and white tachymetre graduation.
A further Paul Newman example of reference 6264 with rare white numerals inside the subsidiary dials is illustrated and described in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 254-255.
With its deep brown rim, the watch is as "healthy" and original as dark chocolate. This watch is as exceptional a trophy as any discerning Rolex aficionado could wish for.
Rolex reference 6264 was introduced in 1970 and produced for only three years. Together with reference 6262, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch featuring the simple round push-down buttons. All future chronograph references, starting with references 6263 and 6265 in 1971, bear screw down chronograph buttons. Reference 6264 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14K and 18K gold. It has a bezel with black plastic insert and white tachymetre graduation.
A further Paul Newman example of reference 6264 with rare white numerals inside the subsidiary dials is illustrated and described in 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, pp. 254-255.