Rolex. A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Paul Newman dial

Consigned by an important Italian private collector, the present Rolex chronograph is an exciting example of the reference 6239. The attractive and highly coveted dial features luminous material present to all its indexes, the stainless steel case impresses with its full proportions.

First model of the celebrated “Daytona” series, ref. 6239 succeeded the reference 6238 and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. Available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold, it was the firm’s first chronograph with engraved tachometer scale to its bezel and with subsidiary dials printed in a different colour than the main dial for better readability. The so-called Paul Newman dials soon became available for the reference 6239, either two-coloured white/cream and black or three-coloured, such as the present watch, with the addition of the red seconds scales.

For detailed descriptions and illustrations 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