.jpg?w=1)
拍品专文
The present lot presents an extremely rare and exciting opportunity for collectors. This fresh to market Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona has been consigned by a descendant of the original owner, a Canadian test pilot who purchased the watch in November, 1971, in Paris as a gift to himself for his accomplishments. Astonishingly, the watch comes complete with its original Rolex guarantee, dated and stamped by the retailer, Fred in November, 1971, as well as the original sales invoice from Fred on the same date for the original purchase price of 1,100 Swiss Franc, as well as the original Rolex presentation box.
The original owner began his career in the RCAF flying F86 Sabres at nineteen and went back to school to complete his Engineering Physics degree so he could follow his dreams of become a test pilot. During his career he was a production pilot on F104 Starfighters before becoming chief test pilot where he tested various aircraft, which included testing a tilt wing aircraft (CL84) with the US government (landing one at the Pentagon!) Most notable was his work on the Bombardier Challengers and Regional Jets. These aircraft are widely used as private aircraft and commercial jets today.
However, without the attributed provenance and complete condition of this stunning watch, the watch itself is very rare discovery. Rolex reference 6264 was introduced in 1970 and produced for only three years. Together with reference 6262, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch featuring the simple round push-down buttons. All future chronograph references, starting with references 6263 and 6265 in 1971 bear screw down chronograph buttons. Reference 6264 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14k and 18k gold. It has a bezel with black plastic insert and white tachymeter graduation.
Of all the Rolex Paul Newman watches, the reference 6264 must be considered the rarest. When Rolex introduced their new chronographic caliber 727 in 1969, most of the Daytona line was upgraded. Reference 6239 – pump pushers and metal bezel – became reference 6262, and reference 6241 – pump pushers and black bezel – became the present reference 6264. Reference 6240, with black bezel and screw pushers, did not receive an immediate upgrade. This is probably because the market was originally quite wary of the screw pushers to the point of some customers complaining the prominent buttons would wear down shirt’s cuffs. However, after few years, in 1972, the superior waterproof capabilities of the screw pushers case was fully recognized, and not only reference 6240 was upgraded with the new caliber – spawning two references: 6263 and 6265, with respectively black and metal bezels – but furthermore references 6262 and 6264 were at the same time discontinued. This decision resulted in these two references being the Daytona models with the shortest production run: only 4 year from ’69 to ’72, and consequently among the most difficult to obtain.
Kept in pristine condition with the care that one would expect form an accomplished pilot, the watch is in extremely good condition. Kept in a drawer for most of its life, the dial is beautifully preserved without blemishes to the cream sector. The case is also in remarkably good condition, stamped 2 70 and 2 71 to the endlinks, matching the date of the watch serial number as well as Rolex Guarantee.
The original owner began his career in the RCAF flying F86 Sabres at nineteen and went back to school to complete his Engineering Physics degree so he could follow his dreams of become a test pilot. During his career he was a production pilot on F104 Starfighters before becoming chief test pilot where he tested various aircraft, which included testing a tilt wing aircraft (CL84) with the US government (landing one at the Pentagon!) Most notable was his work on the Bombardier Challengers and Regional Jets. These aircraft are widely used as private aircraft and commercial jets today.
However, without the attributed provenance and complete condition of this stunning watch, the watch itself is very rare discovery. Rolex reference 6264 was introduced in 1970 and produced for only three years. Together with reference 6262, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch featuring the simple round push-down buttons. All future chronograph references, starting with references 6263 and 6265 in 1971 bear screw down chronograph buttons. Reference 6264 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14k and 18k gold. It has a bezel with black plastic insert and white tachymeter graduation.
Of all the Rolex Paul Newman watches, the reference 6264 must be considered the rarest. When Rolex introduced their new chronographic caliber 727 in 1969, most of the Daytona line was upgraded. Reference 6239 – pump pushers and metal bezel – became reference 6262, and reference 6241 – pump pushers and black bezel – became the present reference 6264. Reference 6240, with black bezel and screw pushers, did not receive an immediate upgrade. This is probably because the market was originally quite wary of the screw pushers to the point of some customers complaining the prominent buttons would wear down shirt’s cuffs. However, after few years, in 1972, the superior waterproof capabilities of the screw pushers case was fully recognized, and not only reference 6240 was upgraded with the new caliber – spawning two references: 6263 and 6265, with respectively black and metal bezels – but furthermore references 6262 and 6264 were at the same time discontinued. This decision resulted in these two references being the Daytona models with the shortest production run: only 4 year from ’69 to ’72, and consequently among the most difficult to obtain.
Kept in pristine condition with the care that one would expect form an accomplished pilot, the watch is in extremely good condition. Kept in a drawer for most of its life, the dial is beautifully preserved without blemishes to the cream sector. The case is also in remarkably good condition, stamped 2 70 and 2 71 to the endlinks, matching the date of the watch serial number as well as Rolex Guarantee.