A watch that set records for its almost $18 million sale in auction. The timepiece that belonged to icon Paul Newman and was even nicknamed after him. The Rolex Daytona, especially those of the ‘Paul Newman’ variety, are some of the most sought-after vintage watches on the market. They’re also often faked and modified in different ways. While the Daytona is a well-known watch, the story of Paul Newman’s Daytona itself, how it came to be auctioned and who owned it, is a lesser-known subject.
Paul Newman was an American actor, born in Cleveland in 1925, who served in WWII in the US Navy Air Corps before returning home to play football at Kenyon College. After working in his family business for some time he eventually enrolled at Yale to study drama. His Broadway debut was in 1953 in Picnic where he also met his future wife. He starred in many major films especially in the latter half of the 20th century. Films like Cool Hand Luke, Hud, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, the Hustler, Road to Peridition, and many more. More in relation to horology, Newman was also a successful race car driver and owner of his own food company. In the automotive world he was a professional racer and once part of the Rolex team, he also participated in the 1979 Le Mans race.
Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 / Credit: Phillips
Paul Newman was a forceful celebrity for much of the 20th and the beginning of the 21st century, this star power helping fuel the demand for his own timepieces.
According to Philips, Newman first came to own the ref. 6239 Rolex Daytona after his wife Joanne Woodward bought it for him from Tiffany’s in New York as a gift, supposedly in 1968. This would have been the same timepiece that Newman became famous for wearing throughout his time as an actor in the 1970s and 1980s. With that dial configuration eventually becoming immortalized in collector history as the ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona. This is different than another timepiece, also sold by Phillips, and also a Rolex Daytona gifted to Paul Newman by his wife Joanne – a ref. 6263 – so not a ‘Paul Newman’. This ref. 6239 was the only ‘Paul Newman’ Rolex Daytona that Paul Newman wore – the one that started it all.
Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 with a letter written by his daughter confirming the watch’s provenance / Credit: Phillips
The ref. 6239 in question is engraved “Drive Carefully Me” on the caseback and features to manual winding caliber 722. Its previous owner was Paul Newman’s daughter’s ex-boyfriend, a man by the name of James Cox. He was given the watch as a gift in 1984 by Paul Newman, only deciding to sell it 33 years later in 2017; 9 years after Newman’s death. Cox is said to have contacted his lawyer who eventually put him in touch with Phillips for the sale.
Now, while the new owner of this piece seems to be unknown, the sale is nonetheless a testament, not only to the power of Paul Newman’s stardom but also to how robust the market for the right vintage watches is. After all, $17.8 million dollars is really something for a once $200 sports chronograph.
By: Andres Ibarguen
Read more:
“Paul Newman.” Biography, April 27th, 2017, https://www.biography.com/actor/paul-newman.
“SOLD! THE PORSCHE 935 THAT PAUL NEWMAN RACED AT LE MANS IN 1979.” 24h Le Mans, August 23rd, 2016, https://www.24h-lemans.com/en/news/sold-the-porsche-935-that-paul-newman-raced-at-le-mans-in-1979-42835.
Boutros, Paul. “Lot 8 Rolex ref. 6239.” Phillips, October 26th, 2017, https://www.phillips.com/detail/ROLEX/NY080117/8.
Pulvirent, Stephen. “Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 & One Of Steve McQueen's Heuer Monacos From 'Le Mans' Will Hit The Block At Phillips New York.” Hodinkee, October 28th, 2020, https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/paul-newman-rolex-daytona-steve-mcqueen-heuer-monaco-phillips-auction-news.
Ames Bauer, Hyla. “Paul Newman's 'Paul Newman' Rolex Daytona Sells For $17.8 Million, A Record For A Wristwatch At Auction.” Forbes, October 26th, 2017, https://www.forbes.com/sites/hylabauer/2017/10/26/paul-newmans-paul-newman-daytona-sells-for-15-5-million-a-record-for-a-wristwatch-at-auction/?sh=224ff1a15313.