Daytona 'Paul Newman' 6239

An Early Paul Newman. A Landmark Daytona.

Few watches have achieved the mythical status of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Paul Newman”. This exceptional Reference 6239 from 1967, serial 1626XXX, takes us back to the very beginning of that story. The watch features an early first series case with the earliest three colour Exotic dial configuration.

Reference 6239, together with the 6241, was one of the first Daytona models with pump pushers available with the exotic Paul Newman dial. This early example comes from the beginning of the Paul Newman Daytona era.

What makes this watch particularly special and rare is its place within that early production. With its 1.62 million serial, first series case and earliest three colour dial configuration, this is an early Paul Newman Daytona. Representing the beginning of what would eventually become one of the most collectible  dial designs in vintage Rolex watch collecting.

The Dial That Defines the Watch

At the heart of this 6239 is its first series three colour Exotic dial. The dial features a deep black base with three contrasting white subdials, a red outer track and the red Daytona signature above the hour counter. At 6 o’clock is the large “T SWISS T” signature.

It is this contrast that gives the early Paul Newman dial so much of its character. Black, white and red come together in a layout that is immediately recognizable, yet remarkably balanced. The applied steel indexes retain tritium at their inner ends, complemented by steel baton hour and minute hands with tritium.

The result is one of the most important dial configurations found on an early Daytona.

First Series Details

The early character of the watch continues beyond the dial. Surrounding it is the first series MK1 steel tachymeter bezel, graduated to 300 units per hour and in intervals of one unit up to 100. This is a period correct bezel. Also period correct are the P3 steel pump pushers.

The Calibre 722-1

Inside beats the manually wound Rolex calibre 722-1, a 17-jewel chronograph movement. Contemporary to the production period of the watch, its bridge has the signature “MONTRES ROLEX S.A. · GENEVA.”

Jubilee Bracelet

The watch comes with a Jubilee bracelet, fitted with 74 end links and carrying a production marking of 1/70. Its signed clasp is marked “Patented & Registered.”

An Important Early Paul Newman

An early 1.62m serial. A first series 6239 case. The earliest three colour Exotic dial. First series steel bezel. P3 pump pushers. And the manually wound calibre 722-1.

This is more than just a beautiful and rare vintage Daytona. It represents the early days of the Paul Newman dial, which would later become one of the most iconic designs in vintage Rolex collecting.

An early Paul Newman, from the beginning of the legend. An absolute banger of a grail watch. Enjoy the pictures!