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Lot Essay
The present watch is a very attractive example of a reference 6239 Daytona with Paul Newman dial, featuring a crisp bezel and desirable red outer fifth-seconds ring. Preserved in remarkable condition the rarity and appeal of the present watch are further enhanced by its original ref. 7835-19 bended links bracelet introduced in 1968 by Rolex.
Reference 6239 was the very first model of the celebrated Daytona series and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It is thought that the model was available in the US already in 1963. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, reference 6239 was the firm's first chronograph with the tachometer scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability.
The dials of the early models featured only the designation Cosmograph, referring to the outer space travels of the early 60s. The Daytona was added on later series to mark Rolex's sponsorship of the renowned NASCAR stock car race.
The so-called exotic or tropical dial, were later called Paul Newman dials, so named after the actor was photographed wearing a reference 6239 Daytona in a publicity shoot for the film Winning.
For descriptions and illustrations of the reference 6239 see Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61. Different versions of reference 6239 in regard to case material and dial layout are furthermore described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296-303.
Reference 6239 was the very first model of the celebrated Daytona series and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It is thought that the model was available in the US already in 1963. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, reference 6239 was the firm's first chronograph with the tachometer scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability.
The dials of the early models featured only the designation Cosmograph, referring to the outer space travels of the early 60s. The Daytona was added on later series to mark Rolex's sponsorship of the renowned NASCAR stock car race.
The so-called exotic or tropical dial, were later called Paul Newman dials, so named after the actor was photographed wearing a reference 6239 Daytona in a publicity shoot for the film Winning.
For descriptions and illustrations of the reference 6239 see Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61. Different versions of reference 6239 in regard to case material and dial layout are furthermore described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296-303.