Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Musketeer", Reference 6239 | A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Musketeer dial and bracelet, Circa 1969 | 勞力士 | Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Musketeer" 型號6239 | 精鋼計時鏈帶腕錶，備 Musketeer 錶盤，約1969年製

Rolex
Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Musketeer", Reference 6239
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Musketeer dial and bracelet, Circa 1969
勞力士
Cosmograph Daytona "Paul Newman Musketeer" 型號6239
精鋼計時鏈帶腕錶，備 Musketeer 錶盤，約1969年製

Dial: black Musketeer
Calibre: cal. 722-1 mechanical, 17 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 1'988'075
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet and folding clasp
Size: 37 mm diameter, bracelet circumference approximately 195 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Accessories: none

Condition Report:
The movement is in working condition at the time of cataloguing. All functions are in working condition. The plexi glass with wear visible with the naked eye. There are very minor spotting at places at the subsidiary registers due to ageing, only visible under a strong loupe. The lumes on the indexes and hands have aged evenly with very minor discolouration and do react under UV. The hour and minute hands with minor wear from past servicing. The hands on the registers with signs of oxidation throughout. The step is nice and pronounced. The bezel has been replaced in previous servicing. The case with minor polishing and light surface wear throughout but retains very nice proportions. The numbers between the lugs are very crisp. The case back with nice crisp milled edge and surface wear. There is minor signs of opening. The reference "7835" bracelet with endlinks "271" is stretched with surface wear throughout and is stamped for the 4th quarter of 1968.

Catalogue Note:
The Rolex Daytona does not need an introduction as it is possibly the world’s most popular sports watch of all time. The legendary collection originated way back in 1963 when Rolex released reference 6239 as a replacement for reference 6238. Bold and yet groundbreaking, the tachymeter scale was moved to the bezel instead of the dial, to which the design has remained until this day.

As an attempt to test out the reaction of the market, Rolex released a few dial configurations at the time. There were standard silvered and black dials, and there were rare “exotic” dials. These “exotic” dials are distinguished by the three dimensional construction, with sunken subsidiary dials and sunken outer chapter ring which unfortunately back then did not get a lot of love from collectors. Based on the bitter response, it was estimated that every 20 standard dial Daytonas sold, an “exotic” dial Daytona was sold. However, it wasn't until seeing the watch on legendary car racer and actor Paul Newman's wrist that the market finally realized how uncommon and collectible the dial was, which set off a frenzy of one of the most sought-after Rolex watches to date.

In superb and honest condition, the current watch sported a reverse panda configuration with a nice and attractive red chapter ring, the contrast is impeccable yet further enhances the sportiness of the watch. The present dial goes one step further and is known as the 'Musketeer' variation. Usually Paul Newman dials have a concentric circular pattern on the subsidiary dials, however, on a Musketeer dial, this pattern only covers two third of the surface. The remaining portion is not only smooth, it is also sloped, giving the dial a different and very sought after look.