.jpg?maxwidth=3840)
Lot 261
Rolex. A rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet
SIGNED ROLEX, COSMOGRAPH, DAYTONA, PAUL NEWMAN MODEL, REF. 6239, CASE NO. 1'597'728, CIRCA 1967
Closed12 May 2014
Price Realised
CHF 100,000
More Information
Specialist note
With Rolex presentation box.
Reference 6239, the very first model of the celebrated "Daytona" series, succeeded reference 6238 and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It is thought that the model was available in the US already in 1963 and it remained in production until the mid-1970s. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, reference 6239 was the firm's first chronograph with the tachometre scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability. The dials of the early models featured only the designation "Cosmograph", referring to the outer space travels of the early 60s. The "Daytona" was added on later series to mark Rolex's sponsorship of the renowned NASCAR stock car race.
The most noteworthy aspect of this reference 6239 is however its rare Paul Newman dial configuration including the popular red second scales. The dial is preserved in very good condition and its attractiveness is increased through its cream colour and the luminous accents that suffered no loss and have aged nicely.
For detailed descriptions and illustrations of the dial and bezel variations of reference 6239 see Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61. Different versions of reference 6239 in regard to case material and dial layout are furthermore described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296-303.
Reference 6239, the very first model of the celebrated "Daytona" series, succeeded reference 6238 and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It is thought that the model was available in the US already in 1963 and it remained in production until the mid-1970s. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, reference 6239 was the firm's first chronograph with the tachometre scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability. The dials of the early models featured only the designation "Cosmograph", referring to the outer space travels of the early 60s. The "Daytona" was added on later series to mark Rolex's sponsorship of the renowned NASCAR stock car race.
The most noteworthy aspect of this reference 6239 is however its rare Paul Newman dial configuration including the popular red second scales. The dial is preserved in very good condition and its attractiveness is increased through its cream colour and the luminous accents that suffered no loss and have aged nicely.
For detailed descriptions and illustrations of the dial and bezel variations of reference 6239 see Rolex Daytona - a legend is born by Carlo Pergola, Stefano Mazzariol, Giovanni Dosso, pp. 44 - 61. Different versions of reference 6239 in regard to case material and dial layout are furthermore described and illustrated in I Cronografi Rolex - La Leggenda, Pucci Papaleo Editore, pp. 296-303.