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Short answer, it was already a relatively expensive watch, then add the Paul Newman connection and you've got a really expensive watch. Paul Newman's own watch sold in 2017 for $17.75 million, the most expensive wristwatch ever sold. Average vintage Daytona's range from $100,000 to as much as $600,000 depending on age, condition, etc. A current Daytona in Platinum is around $70,000 and the sky's the limit when you start adding jewels.
THE HISTORY OF THE ROLEX DAYTONA MODEL
The history of the Rolex Daytona is an interesting one in which this watch developed along parallel lines to the Submariner. Both watches were originally designed for “working men” and served a particular function as timepieces. While the Submariner was specifically built to withstand the pressure of underwater diving, the Daytona, named for the famous racetrack in Florida, was built strictly as a timekeeper of the millisecond variety.
THE ROLEX DAYTONA WATCH HAS SEEN THREE SEPARATE SERIES
Series one. The original Cosmograph Daytona has lived through three separate series. The original series was produced in very small quantities, beginning in 1963 and lasting through the 1980s. These watches have a four-digit model number and feature a manual-wind movement.
Series two. Because of the demand of the iconic first Daytona series, a second series was introduced in 1988, with automatic winding. These watches feature a five-digit number and were produced up until 2000.
Series three. In 2000, Rolex began producing a third Daytona series, equipped with a movement made in-house and a six-digit model number. These watches are self-winding and have chronograph functions.
Although Daytonas continue to be relatively abundant, the rarest and most sought-after of these watches continue to be the “Paul Newman” variety, a version of the Daytona made famous by the actor of the same name.
THE PAUL NEWMAN DAYTONA HOMAGE
Not all Daytona watches are of the Paul Newman variety. These watches have a specific dial that includes distinguishing features that separate it from the other varieties of this watch. However, these specific details may be so subtle that it is easy for the untrained eye to miss them.
First thing to know, Paul Newman Daytona is a sports watch and can only have the reference number 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265. These numbers must be featured in order for the Rolex to be authenticated. Furthermore, all of the Paul Newman Daytona references have domed crystals made of acrylic. Sub-dials include block markers rather than lines and each sub-dial center has crosshairs placed on it. The seconds sub-dial is marked at 15, 30, 45 and 60. On other Daytona watches, these markings exist at 20, 40 and 60.
A true Paul Newman Daytona comes in one of four colors for the dial and specific combinations of layout of dial features. These colored dial versions exist on the models 6239, 6241, 6263, 6264 and 6265. No replacement version exists for this watch.
INTERACTIVE GRAPH OF PAUL NEWMAN DAYTONA AUCTION PRICES
Individual models can be toggled on or off within the graph by clicking on the model numbers on the right side of the graph.
DESCRIPTIONS AND HISTORICAL PRICES OF ROLEX DAYTONA PAUL NEWMAN FOR SALE
ROLEX DAYTONA PAUL NEWMAN REFERENCE 6239
This is the one that started them all; the actual model worn by Paul Newman, until he passed. It is the most common and least expensive of the “Paul Newman Daytona’s”. The 6239 features a 300 units-per-hour, stainless steel bezel; pump pushers for the chronometer, and a Valjoux 722, 17 jewels, 18,000 beats-per-hour movement. Like the modern Daytona, it was available in both white and black dials. The dials were a three color dial, consisting of black, white, and red, and featuring the word "Daytona" written above the register at the 6 o'clock position. This was the first Daytona model to move the tachymeter scale off the dial and on to the bezel. Production on the 6239 models began in mid 1963.
Wow! I do rememebr Paul wearing a watch, it was light colored but don't know if it was this one. I REALLY shoudda knicked it
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