Released in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has become perhaps the most iconic chronograph the world has ever seen. Famed for its legendary design, a rich heritage in motorsport and ties to famed actor and race car driver Paul Newman whose wearing the watch spurred a watch collector frenzy, the Daytona's reputation precedes itself. However, it wasn’t always that way for the Daytona. Released to celebrate Rolex becoming the Daytona International Speedway's official timekeeper the year before in 1962, the Cosmograph was actually a commercial failure in the early years of its launch. Debuting as the ref. 6239, the reference we have here and the same reference that Paul Newman himself wore, the Cosmograph was up against industry titans like Heuer, Breitling and others. Measuring in at 37mm and powered by the iconic Valjoux cal. 722 movement, the ref. 6239 was up to the task, but customers would choose the other options instead. While Rolex had called the Cosmograph both the Le Mans and the Daytona, they eventually stuck with the Daytona name in 1965 and birthed the fully-fledged icon that we know today. In addition to the evolution of its name, another tactic Rolex employed to popularize their watch was giving it new dial variants, with the exotic dial, or “Paul Newman” dial as it is known existing as one of those dial variants. Best known for the square counters in its subdials and red accents along its chapter ring, the dial our ref. 6239 here features is indeed the ‘Paul Newman’ dial. An icon of horology and greater pop culture, the Paul Newman Daytona was popularized in the 1980s when collectors caught on to Paul Newman wearing his famous example, and since then the Daytona as a whole has become one of the most desirable watches in horology, and the four digit ‘Paul Newman’ exotic dial examples like the one we have here stand as the apex predator of that food chain.

Watch is offered in excellent condition on a 1972-dated American rivet Oyster bracelet with 12 links. Bracelet shows some stretch and has surface marks along the links. Case has been previously polished, and edges of the lugs are soft but full. Visible scratches and dents can be seen. Dial is in excellent condition and generally "eye clean", with minor imperfections and a couple marks on the surface visible upon close inspection or with the use of a loupe. Luminous dots are intact, but a few of them are slightly discolored, namely the one at 3 o'clock. Bezel has slightly soft edges, with surface marks and scratches but fully visible text.

Considered to be the quintessential "Paul Newman" Daytona configuration, this white Paul Newman dial ref. 6239 is in the exact same configuration that Paul Newman famously owned and wore, which led it to becoming perhaps the most iconic watch in the industry.