Six years have passed since the remarkable sale of the iconic Rolex Daytona previously owned and worn by the late Paul Newman, the renowned Hollywood legend and race car driver with piercing blue eyes. The extraordinary timepiece, a stainless steel model 6239 adorned with a unique dial famously referred to as the Paul Newman dial, was purchased for him by his wife, Joanne Woodward, in the late 1960s.
It is widely regarded as the most renowned watch in contemporary history, engraved with the heartfelt inscription "Drive Carefully, Me" on its caseback. This legendary watch commanded a staggering price of $17.8 million at the esteemed Phillips auction.
Now, in an exciting development, two additional Daytonas from Paul Newman's personal collection are set to be featured at the prestigious Sotheby's Important Watches auction on June 9th. Although these two Daytonas do not possess the coveted Paul Newman dials, they are exceptional timepieces in their own right.
Furthermore, as they are more recent iterations of Rolex's highly sought-after chronograph, prospective buyers can bid with greater peace of mind, knowing that the watches are not as delicate or prone to damage. These meticulously crafted timepieces were not only designed for measuring race car performance but also boast the practicality of being water-resistant up to depths of 100 meters, owing to their screw-down crowns and pushers.
Lot 27 showcases a stainless steel 16520 model from 1993, equipped with a Zenith El Primero movement. It features a pristine white dial adorned with tritium luminescent material. The second timepiece, known as lot 30, is Paul Newman's final Daytona, manufactured in 2006 and crafted from elegant white gold. This particular reference, labeled 116519, boasts a captivating black dial, complemented by a supple leather strap. Notably, it showcases Super-LumiNova hands and indices, ensuring optimal visibility in low-light conditions.