The Paul Newman Rolex Cosmograph

The reference 6239 was the very first model of the celebrated «Cosmograph» series and could be found in sales catalogues in Europe as of 1964. It was produced until 1976 and was available in stainless steel, 14K and 18K gold. The reference 6239 was the firm’s first chronograph with the tachometer scale engraved on the bezel and the subsidiary dials printed in a different color than the main dial for better readability.

The so-called «exotic», later named the «Paul Newman» by Italian collectors, soon became available for the reference 6239 and were either two-colored white/ cream and black or three-colored, such as the present watch, with the addition of the red seconds scales.

When to most Rolex collectors a regular 6239 Cosmograph represents a must have, more discerning (and lucky) collectors are aiming to own one day an example with a Paul Newman dial. To call one day a Tiffany–Paul Newman one’s own is an extraordinary accomplishment.

According to scholarship, this number can be quite precisely named – it is our understanding that only four authentic and correct examples are accounted for today. This makes the present watch one of the world’s most important and valuable, yet subtle Rolex Cosmographs, and most likely years will go by until another example may become available.

The condition of the present example must be described as excellent; it should therefore not surprise anyone that the broadly acclaimed Daytona authority, Pucci Papaleo, chose this very watch to be prominently featured in his historical tome dedicated to the Rolex Daytona.