Signed Rolex, Cosmograph, Daytona, Paul Newman model, ref. 6264, case no. 2’372’828, circa 1970

When Rolex introduced their new chronographic calibre 727 in 1969, most of the Daytona line was upgraded. Reference 6239 – pump pushers and metal bezel – became reference 6262, and reference 6241 – pump pushers and black bezel – became the present reference 6264. Reference 6240, with black bezel and screw pushers, did not receive an immediate upgrade. This is probably because the market was originally quite wary of the screw pushers to the point of some customers complaining the prominent buttons would wear down shirt’s cuffs. However, after few years, in 1972, the superior waterproof capabilities of the screw pushers case was fully recognized, and not only reference 6240 was upgraded with the new calibre – spawning two references: 6263 and 6265, with respectively black and metal bezels – but furthermore references 6262 and 6264 were at the same time discontinued. This decision resulted in these two references being the Daytona models with the shortest production run: only 4 year from ’69 to ’72, and consequently among the most difficult to obtain.

The present piece not only is an extremely well-preserved example of this highly collectible reference, but it furthermore features the hallowed “Paul Newman” dial – or “exotic”, as it was at the time called by Rolex. It is interest to note how the dial correctly lacks the “Oyster” designation, as in fact the case is not an Oyster case due to the lack of screw pushers, and features a flat Swiss designation, as opposed to the sloped “sing-a-song” designation found on earlier Paul Newman versions.

The bracelet ref. 7835 with endlinks stamped 271 and clasp dated 2.71 is a perfectly correct match for the watch and adds a final layer of appeal to this already highly remarkable timepiece.