Winning Icons - Legendary Watches of the 20th Century, hosted by Phillips in partnership with Bacs & Russo, will take place on October 26 in New York. Of greatest interest is the Rolex Daytona chronograph from Paul Newman's personal collection (Ref. 6239) - perhaps by far the most coveted piece of passion among collectors of the Rolex cult. The American actor, the bluest-eyed actor in cinema history, received a watch as a gift from his wife Joan Woodworth in 1972 and has frequently appeared in public since then.
Paul Newman © Keystone France
The model on Newman's wrist had a memorable appearance: a cream-colored "panda" dial with black chronograph drives, a red marking of the minute scale and a red Daytona lettering. Until now, this very Rolex dial with contrasting counters bears the name "Paul Newman Daytona". The back cover of the steel case is engraved with the inscription Drive Cafefully Me - in 1972, Newman, who by that time starred in the films "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof", "Anger", "Someone Up There Loves Me", became seriously interested in motor sports and often took risks life.
1 of 2 Rolex "Paul Newman Daytona" Chronograph, Ref. 6239 © Phillips Press Office Rolex "Paul Newman Daytona" Chronograph, Ref. 6239 © Phillips Press Service
The auction lot is tentatively estimated at $ 1 million, but the amount may increase, since the watch has never been put up for public auction.
Recall that the record for the cost of a Rolex watch belongs to the unique historical model Ref. 6,062 Bao Dai, sold at Phillips this May for more than $ 5 million.
Rolex Bao Dai © Phillips Press
Other lots from Winning Icons include Legendary Watches of the 20th Century, a rare chronograph in yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 16568 (circa 1994) and a Rolex Ref. 6200 Big Crown (c. 1954).
1 of 2 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 16568 © Phillips Press Service Rolex Ref. 6200 "Big Crown" © Phillips Press Office>