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Lot Essay
This endangered species strap is shown for display purposes only and is not for sale. The watch will be supplied with a calf leather strap.
Not only incredibly good looking and superbly preserved in exceptional condition, this privately consigned 18K gold ‘Paul Newman’ reference 6239 has, to the best of our knowledge, never been offered at international auction before. Its rarity is further enhanced by the presence of the original Guarantee issued by the celebrated Orologeria Pisa in Milan in 1972.
Launched in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph reference 6239 was named following the fervor surrounding outer space travel. Later bearing the inscription Daytona, due to Rolex’s involvement with the celebrated International Speedway, the popularity of the chronograph soared throughout the years, leading it to become an icon and source of great fascination.
Only a tiny number, thought to be around 300 pieces - a fraction of the approximately 14,000 watches made during reference 6239s production run - were cased in gold. Of these gold 6239s, justy a handful are known with a champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial with gold graphics in the subsidiary dials.
The present ref. 6239 has survived in remarkable condition and it is evident that it has not been worn for some time. The gold on the right-hand side of the case body has the distinctive blueish patina that develops only after many years being stored away and is so highly-prized by collectors. The numbers between the lugs and the hallmarks are crisp and sharp. Equally impressive is the champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial which shows almost no signs of aging, all but one of the luminous dots remain intact and full and the luminous plots and hands match perfectly.
The aesthetic of this late 1960s watch is simply beautiful, exuding luxury, the gold case with polished tachymeter bezel harmonizes with the pale champagne of the dial, the raised gold indexes sparkling as they catch the light. The overall look is completed by the black outer minutes/seconds scale and black subsidiary dials with gold graphics that achieve the perfect colour contrast.
Hardly ever does such a sublime specimen of this rarest variation of the reference 6239 appear on the open market. It affords collectors the chance to obtain the almost unobtainable.
Reference 6239 is described and illustrated in Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61, and in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296 - 303. For a very similar reference 6239 see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 238. For another comparable example, however reference 6241, please consult Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editions, pp. 252 - 255.
Not only incredibly good looking and superbly preserved in exceptional condition, this privately consigned 18K gold ‘Paul Newman’ reference 6239 has, to the best of our knowledge, never been offered at international auction before. Its rarity is further enhanced by the presence of the original Guarantee issued by the celebrated Orologeria Pisa in Milan in 1972.
Launched in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph reference 6239 was named following the fervor surrounding outer space travel. Later bearing the inscription Daytona, due to Rolex’s involvement with the celebrated International Speedway, the popularity of the chronograph soared throughout the years, leading it to become an icon and source of great fascination.
Only a tiny number, thought to be around 300 pieces - a fraction of the approximately 14,000 watches made during reference 6239s production run - were cased in gold. Of these gold 6239s, justy a handful are known with a champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial with gold graphics in the subsidiary dials.
The present ref. 6239 has survived in remarkable condition and it is evident that it has not been worn for some time. The gold on the right-hand side of the case body has the distinctive blueish patina that develops only after many years being stored away and is so highly-prized by collectors. The numbers between the lugs and the hallmarks are crisp and sharp. Equally impressive is the champagne ‘Paul Newman’ dial which shows almost no signs of aging, all but one of the luminous dots remain intact and full and the luminous plots and hands match perfectly.
The aesthetic of this late 1960s watch is simply beautiful, exuding luxury, the gold case with polished tachymeter bezel harmonizes with the pale champagne of the dial, the raised gold indexes sparkling as they catch the light. The overall look is completed by the black outer minutes/seconds scale and black subsidiary dials with gold graphics that achieve the perfect colour contrast.
Hardly ever does such a sublime specimen of this rarest variation of the reference 6239 appear on the open market. It affords collectors the chance to obtain the almost unobtainable.
Reference 6239 is described and illustrated in Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61, and in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296 - 303. For a very similar reference 6239 see 100 Superlative Rolex Watches by John Goldberger, p. 238. For another comparable example, however reference 6241, please consult Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo Editions, pp. 252 - 255.