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 Cosmograph was up against industry titans like Heuer, Breitling and others. Measuring in at 37mm and powered by its iconic Valjoux movement, the ref. 6239 was always 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. Offered here we have the fabled Daytona ref. 6262. Launched in 1970 and produced for only one year, the ref. 6262 introduced the upgraded manual-wind Valjoux cal. 727 to the Daytona, while reintroducing pump chronograph pushers and a stainless steel bezel to the collection. While the ref. 6262 is a rare watch in and of itself, the example we have here is particularly notable due to its black exotic “Paul Newman” dial, as identifiable with square counters in its white subdials and red accents along its white chapter ring. 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 in excellent overall condition. Case lugs are thick and well defined, with a high polish sheen that has developed on the top lug surfaces. There are minor dings and marks visible, but nothing noteworthy. The bezel has nearly all of its black enamel fully intact. Oyster crown shows signs of surface wear and some surface marks visible on the embossed coronet. The dial is in excellent condition. The dial exhibits bright whites and reds, with little to no signs of fading typically found on these dials. Luminous dots remain intact with minimal signs of aging visible on them. There are light areas of discoloration visible in the subdials as seen in the images. Luminous inserts in the hands are toned similarly to the dial. Watch comes on a period folded oyster band, with 12 links, fitting approx. a 7 1/4" wrist, with proper 271 Daytona endpieces. Watch is accompanied by a period inner and outer box set.

We're proud to present this truly exceptional Paul Newman Daytona for auction on Loupe This. To many, the Paul Newman ref. 6262 represents the very pinnacle of watch collecting, with its heritage, extreme rarity and unmistakable design all coming together in the form of a truly spectacular wristwatch that many consider to be the ultimate Rolex.