COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA Ref. 6239

Newman’ dial. Nonetheless, what collectors appreciate is the mostattractive natural ‘tropical’ patina of the subsidiary dials. Over the years, their colour has changed from black to an appealing shade of ‘toffee’ brown. This phenomenon is caused by the reaction of materials in the dial to elements such as the sun and other forms of light. Note that the white part of the dial has also turned to an attractive cream colour.

Very few examples of a Rolex ‘Paul Newman’ with such an appealing patina are known. What was originally considered to be a defect has become, today, highly desirable and coveted.

This watch was consigned to auction by its original and only owner. This piece came with an incredibly full set, comprising the original guarantee, invoice, box and outer packaging.

The watch was originally purchased new as a gift in 1975, by which time it was already seven years old and had a price tag of only £134.

The name ‘Cosmograph’ was first used on another Rolex watch: the Ref. 6062 Oyster Perpetual with moon phases and triple date, which was produced from 1950 to 1953. At the time it was called ‘Cosmograph’ because the moon phases were indicated against the backdrop of a dark blue starry sky. The name was then used again in 1963 to designate this new chronograph, a reference to the various space conquests that so fascinated the world in the late 1950s.

Geneva, 13 May, 2018

Very rare stainless-steel chronograph wristwatch with registers, ‘tropical’ subsidiary dials and bracelet

Ref. 6239

Case 2004742

Cosmograph Daytona c.1969

CHF 200,000 – 400,000

US$ 208,000 – 416,000

SOLD CHF 951,000