.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
To find one Paul Newman dial reference 6263 “panda” from long term ownership is astounding in its own right. To find two in less than a year which are just 24 numbers case numbers apart and both in equally outstanding condition is truly incredible, and it is a huge honour for Christie’s watch department to be in the privileged position to do so.
Following on for the spectacular result from the May 2017 Hong Kong auction where case number 2’648’486 sold for 4,020,000 HKD we are pleased to offer its sibling watch almost certainly produced in the same batch and consigned directly from the original owner.
This reference 6263 was purchased by the consignor’s mother as a belated 21st birthday present while they were on holiday in Bermuda in the early 1970s from the retailer Crisson, who are still an authorised dealer for Rolex. The reason for buying the Daytona over other watches that were being offered, was due to the fact that the gentleman was training to be a pilot at the time and was aware that such watches were issued to the Peruvian Air Force so enjoyed the direct aviation connection.
While continuing his time in the cockpit it was discovered that the aircraft he was flying vibrated far too much to make the smaller polished hands visible against the white background of the dial so it was soon left in the safe at home. As a result the watch has remained virtually unworn since it was laid up in 1973 providing a real time warp example of the Paul Newman reference 6263.
As one would expect, the case shows deep lug holes, sharp edges and lustrous brushed finish to the top of the lugs. The watch has also retained its original mark 1 pushers, mark 1 bezel, original crown bearing only the coronet, as well as a correct 7835 folded link Oyster bracelet with matching 271 end links and a date code for the second quarter of 1971. The case back is stamped 6239 inside, a feature displayed by many early screw pusher Daytona models including the legendary RCO (Rolex Cosmograph Oyster). In addition all the lume plots in place and have aged to an attractive warmer tone.
This watch exemplifies the matching all-over patina that collectors crave and provides an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire this iconic model with continuous history direct from the original owner.
Following on for the spectacular result from the May 2017 Hong Kong auction where case number 2’648’486 sold for 4,020,000 HKD we are pleased to offer its sibling watch almost certainly produced in the same batch and consigned directly from the original owner.
This reference 6263 was purchased by the consignor’s mother as a belated 21st birthday present while they were on holiday in Bermuda in the early 1970s from the retailer Crisson, who are still an authorised dealer for Rolex. The reason for buying the Daytona over other watches that were being offered, was due to the fact that the gentleman was training to be a pilot at the time and was aware that such watches were issued to the Peruvian Air Force so enjoyed the direct aviation connection.
While continuing his time in the cockpit it was discovered that the aircraft he was flying vibrated far too much to make the smaller polished hands visible against the white background of the dial so it was soon left in the safe at home. As a result the watch has remained virtually unworn since it was laid up in 1973 providing a real time warp example of the Paul Newman reference 6263.
As one would expect, the case shows deep lug holes, sharp edges and lustrous brushed finish to the top of the lugs. The watch has also retained its original mark 1 pushers, mark 1 bezel, original crown bearing only the coronet, as well as a correct 7835 folded link Oyster bracelet with matching 271 end links and a date code for the second quarter of 1971. The case back is stamped 6239 inside, a feature displayed by many early screw pusher Daytona models including the legendary RCO (Rolex Cosmograph Oyster). In addition all the lume plots in place and have aged to an attractive warmer tone.
This watch exemplifies the matching all-over patina that collectors crave and provides an exceptionally rare opportunity to acquire this iconic model with continuous history direct from the original owner.