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Lot Essay
The Cosmograph Daytona is considered an undisputable icon among sports watches. When it comes with a Paul Newman dial its appeal and collectability are amplified manifolds.
The reason behind the allure of Paul Newman dials is at least two-sided. First, the aesthetic appeal of this variant is undeniable, and it is a marked departure from the normal Daytona dial: it is not a matter of adding simply a scale or a designation. The entire dial has been thoroughly redesigned by Rolex to the point of adding an outer sunken track, which compels a much more difficult production methodology. Additionally, the scales inside the subsidiary dials, characterized by square numerals, are completely different from what found on normal production dials. The color scheme changes as well, with the red outer divisions.
In the intention of Rolex, this alternative dial - at the time known as "exotic" - was probably meant to provide a more elaborated and playful version of their bestselling chronograph. Ironically, the commercial results of these dials were, at the time, disastrous. As it turns out, customers regarded this version as excessively eclectic, borderline eccentric. This is the reason behind the rarity of this dial variation, which in turn is the other motivation behind the appeal of the Paul Newman Daytona.
With the passing of time, the true beauty of this model has eventually been rediscovered and understood by the watch collecting community, and the Paul Newman is now one of the most collectible, recognizable, iconic and sought-after vintage timepieces.
An example in condition as stunning as the present watch is hard to come by: the dial is absolutely unspoiled and unrestored, and presents a strong step to the outer track, as expected in early Paul Newman dial. The bezel of the watch is moreover a second series bezel, graduated to 300 units per hour, and with a dot to mark 275 UPH, absolutely correct for a watch with this serial number. These bezel underwent a simplification process: first series bezel are graduated to 300 UPH, present the 275 UPH designation, and the hash-marks went all the way to 120 UPH. Third series instead are graduated to 200 UPH only, and have 50 UPH more or less in the spot where one can find 300 UPH on earlier series.
The reason behind the allure of Paul Newman dials is at least two-sided. First, the aesthetic appeal of this variant is undeniable, and it is a marked departure from the normal Daytona dial: it is not a matter of adding simply a scale or a designation. The entire dial has been thoroughly redesigned by Rolex to the point of adding an outer sunken track, which compels a much more difficult production methodology. Additionally, the scales inside the subsidiary dials, characterized by square numerals, are completely different from what found on normal production dials. The color scheme changes as well, with the red outer divisions.
In the intention of Rolex, this alternative dial - at the time known as "exotic" - was probably meant to provide a more elaborated and playful version of their bestselling chronograph. Ironically, the commercial results of these dials were, at the time, disastrous. As it turns out, customers regarded this version as excessively eclectic, borderline eccentric. This is the reason behind the rarity of this dial variation, which in turn is the other motivation behind the appeal of the Paul Newman Daytona.
With the passing of time, the true beauty of this model has eventually been rediscovered and understood by the watch collecting community, and the Paul Newman is now one of the most collectible, recognizable, iconic and sought-after vintage timepieces.
An example in condition as stunning as the present watch is hard to come by: the dial is absolutely unspoiled and unrestored, and presents a strong step to the outer track, as expected in early Paul Newman dial. The bezel of the watch is moreover a second series bezel, graduated to 300 units per hour, and with a dot to mark 275 UPH, absolutely correct for a watch with this serial number. These bezel underwent a simplification process: first series bezel are graduated to 300 UPH, present the 275 UPH designation, and the hash-marks went all the way to 120 UPH. Third series instead are graduated to 200 UPH only, and have 50 UPH more or less in the spot where one can find 300 UPH on earlier series.