A rare Rolex Daytona made in 1967 and kept in a family drawer for more than 45 years sold for CHF 1.143 million at auction in Geneva.
asserted
Daytona → make → Geneva
The 18k yellow-gold watch, a Reference 6239 with a black and champagne “Paul Newman” dial, belonged to the family of its original owner.
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watch → belong → owner
It was later inherited by two sisters before being offered at auction.
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It → inherit → auction
According to Phillips Auction, the watch was listed by Sotheby’s with an estimate of CHF 300,000 to CHF 600,000.
uncertain
watch → accord → 600,000
The sale drew attention to the rarity of yellow-gold versions of the early Rolex Daytona, particularly those fitted with the Paul Newman-style dial.
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sale → draw → dial
The Reference 6239 has an important place in the history of the Daytona.
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Reference → have → Daytona
Rolex launched the model in 1963, and it was discontinued only a few years later.
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it → launch → 1963
Sotheby’s estimates that around 14,000 examples of the Reference 6239 were produced, with only about 300 made in yellow gold.
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300 → estimate → gold
That already makes the yellow-gold version a small part of the total production.
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version → make → production
The watch sold in Geneva is rarer still because of its Paul Newman dial.
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watch → sell → dial
Sotheby’s research suggests that only about 10 gold Reference 6239 watches with Paul Newman dials have resurfaced on the market.
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watches → suggest → market
A rare yellow-gold Daytona
The watch has an 18k yellow-gold case measuring 37 mm in diameter.
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watch → have → diameter
It has a black dial with champagne-coloured registers and is powered by Rolex calibre 722-1, a manually wound movement with 17 jewels.
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It → have → jewels
The case, dial and movement are all signed.
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case → sign → ?
The watch has a gold-plated Rolex buckle and a screw-down case back.
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watch → have → buckle
It does not come with its original box, papers or other accessories.
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It → come → box
Sotheby’s said the watch came directly from the family of the original owner.
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watch → say → owner
It had been left forgotten in a drawer for more than 45 years.
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It → leave → years
That history was an important part of the watch’s provenance when it was presented for sale.
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it → present → sale
The watch was also described as being in exceptional condition.
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watch → describe → condition
The Reference 6239 was the first Daytona model produced by Rolex, according to Sotheby’s.
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Reference → produce → Sotheby
The model was launched in 1963 and was created for the world of endurance racing.
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model → launch → racing
Its design combined a mechanical chronograph with a tachymeter scale, features associated with its racing purpose.
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design → combine → purpose
The few yellow-gold examples have details that set them apart from the more common steel watches.
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that → have → watches
Sotheby’s described the gold versions as having refined dial details, champagne tones, gilt markers and distinctive graphics.
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Sotheby → describe → details
The Paul Newman dial is another feature that makes these watches particularly sought after by collectors.
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watches → make → collectors
The term refers to a specific dial layout used on some vintage Daytona models.
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term → refer → models
The yellow-gold watch sold by Sotheby’s has a black dial with champagne registers.
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watch → sell → registers
Another yellow-gold Reference 6239, known as “The Golden Pagoda”, was also highlighted by Phillips in its coverage of a 2025 Geneva auction.
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Reference → know → auction
Phillips described that watch as having a champagne “Paul Newman” dial and said it was one of the rarest versions of the Daytona.
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it → describe → Daytona
Phillips said that around 14,000 Reference 6239 Daytonas were produced between 1963 and 1969, while only about 300 were made in yellow gold.
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300 → say → gold
This means the gold version was a very small part of the total production.
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version → mean → production
The yellow-gold watches also differed from the steel versions in their appearance.
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watches → differ → appearance
Phillips described the champagne Paul Newman dial as having a warm finish, with three recessed registers and gold graphics.
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Phillips → describe → registers
The auction house also noted that gold was not the usual choice for a Daytona at the time.
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gold → note → time
The Cosmograph was designed as a functional chronograph, while Rolex’s gold watches were more commonly associated with dressier models.
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watches → design → models
Over time, however, rare examples of the Daytona became important pieces for collectors.
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examples → become → collectors
Condition, originality and provenance can be particularly significant when vintage watches are offered at auction.
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watches → offer → auction
The Aporia
