Rolex Reference 6239 ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona | A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Circa 1968 | 勞力士 型號 6239 ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona 精鋼計時鍊帶腕錶，製作年份約 1968

Rolex

Reference 6239 ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona
A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, Circa 1968

勞力士 型號 6239 ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona
精鋼計時鍊帶腕錶，製作年份約 1968

Dial: black
Caliber: cal. 722-1 mechanical, 17 jewels
Case: stainless steel, screw down case back
Case number: 2'005'269
Closure: stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet with folding clasp
Size: 37 mm diameter, bracelet circumference is approximately 190 mm
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: no
Accessories: Rolex presentation box, full one year Service Warranty paper dated September 9, 1993, and hang tag

Condition Report:
Case: The case has light signs of use and previous signs of polishing. The inside case back with watch maker marks. Some black enamel missing from the numbers on the bezel. The later added bracelet is stamped '78350', end links stamped '571', and clasp stamped 'P5'. Bracelet with light scuffing throughout.

Dial: The dial is in overall good condition. Service hands. Some plots have signs of minor restoration. Some minor marks in the 3 and 9 o'clock register. One 'S' in ' T SWISS T' is partially lacking.

Movement: The movement is running at time of cataloging, however it was not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and may need service at the buyer's discretion. Please note that Sotheby's does not guarantee the future working of the movement.

Catalogue Note:
The iconic reference 6239 ‘Daytona’ was introduced in the United States in 1963 to supersede the reference 6238, and available until 1969. The reference was the first to have the ‘Cosmograph’ dial designation and was produced with several dial configurations. The Tachymeter scale (used for measuring distance over time, aka, speed) which was previously printed on the dial of the 6238 was moved to an enlarged bezel, increasing the watches diameter my 1mm and providing an increased dial plate for more varied and intricate dial design, such as the ‘exotic’ dials, manufactured and supplied by Singer and with either a 2-colored dial in white or black or a 3-colored dial in white or black with red accents as seen on the current example.

These exotic dials were later to became known as 'Paul Newman' dial, after the actor. It is characterized by its square markers in the chronograph scale and subsidiary dials, as well as the alternating patterning of the coloration. At the time, these exotic dialed variants proved less popular, and so were sold in significantly fewer numbers than those with standard dials.

The reference 6239 with Paul Newman dial is an icon and an essential for any complete watch collection.