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Lot Essay
With a monochromatic black and white palette, the ‘Panda’ Paul Newman is simply superb, considered by many to be one of the most attractive dial variations to be found on a vintage Daytona - it is certainly one of the rarest and most recognizable.
The present watch has aged naturally, the white background of the unrestored dial has remained fresh, the luminous material having acquired the patina of an almost 50-year life. Very importantly it still features its original MK I pushers, virtually immaculate MK I bezel and original crown bearing only the coronet. The bracelet has the date code for the first quarter of 1971, the same year as the watch, and is the correct 7835 folded-link Oyster bracelet with matching 271 end links. Furthermore, it is offered with a contemporary box, punched guarantee and brochures.
The case back is stamped inside with the reference 6262, an interesting feature of many early reference 6263 watches due to Rolex using leftover case backs from the previous models (6240 and 6262). This traces the origins to the first series 6263, now highly sought-after and appreciated by Rolex collectors.
The present ‘Panda’ 6263 is the model that collectors crave and provides collectors with the opportunity to acquire what is unquestionably one of the most sought-after of all vintage Rolex sports watches.
A similar example is illustrated and described in: Rolex Daytona dalla nascita al mito, un viaggio tra tecnica e stile, Carlo Pregola, Stefano Mazzariol and Giovanni Dosso, pp. 194. For another ref. 6263 with ‘Paul Newman Panda’ dial see: Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo, pp. 348 to 351.
Reference 6263
Sporting a black bezel and screw down pushers, it inherits the legacy of reference 6240, the first of the screw down pusher Daytonas, also featuring a black bezel. The similarity is obvious, the differences much less so. As a matter of fact, however, the case design of reference 6263 is slightly bigger, the movement is the new calibre 727, whilst reference 6240 is usually fitted with the older calibre 722 (even though early examples are known with the earlier 72B calibre, and late ones with cal. 722-1). The defining feature of both references is undeniably the presence of the screw down pushers, which make the entire watch look bigger, more sporting and masculine.
The present watch has aged naturally, the white background of the unrestored dial has remained fresh, the luminous material having acquired the patina of an almost 50-year life. Very importantly it still features its original MK I pushers, virtually immaculate MK I bezel and original crown bearing only the coronet. The bracelet has the date code for the first quarter of 1971, the same year as the watch, and is the correct 7835 folded-link Oyster bracelet with matching 271 end links. Furthermore, it is offered with a contemporary box, punched guarantee and brochures.
The case back is stamped inside with the reference 6262, an interesting feature of many early reference 6263 watches due to Rolex using leftover case backs from the previous models (6240 and 6262). This traces the origins to the first series 6263, now highly sought-after and appreciated by Rolex collectors.
The present ‘Panda’ 6263 is the model that collectors crave and provides collectors with the opportunity to acquire what is unquestionably one of the most sought-after of all vintage Rolex sports watches.
A similar example is illustrated and described in: Rolex Daytona dalla nascita al mito, un viaggio tra tecnica e stile, Carlo Pregola, Stefano Mazzariol and Giovanni Dosso, pp. 194. For another ref. 6263 with ‘Paul Newman Panda’ dial see: Ultimate Rolex Daytona, Pucci Papaleo, pp. 348 to 351.
Reference 6263
Sporting a black bezel and screw down pushers, it inherits the legacy of reference 6240, the first of the screw down pusher Daytonas, also featuring a black bezel. The similarity is obvious, the differences much less so. As a matter of fact, however, the case design of reference 6263 is slightly bigger, the movement is the new calibre 727, whilst reference 6240 is usually fitted with the older calibre 722 (even though early examples are known with the earlier 72B calibre, and late ones with cal. 722-1). The defining feature of both references is undeniably the presence of the screw down pushers, which make the entire watch look bigger, more sporting and masculine.