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Getting to know a Daytona Paul Newman "Sotto"

7 min read

Getting to know a Daytona Paul Newman "Sotto"

Published on

27 févr. 25

Author

Clément C.

Reading time

7 minutes

Getting to know a Daytona Paul Newman "Sotto"

The Paul Newman dials of the Rolex Daytona are part of watchmaking mythology... even more so when it comes to a "Sotto."

Few watches generate as much excitement in the collector's market as the Rolex Daytona "Paul Newman" chronograph. Across all generations, the so-called "exotic" dial, also nicknamed "Paul Newman" by collectors, has always sparked passion and repeatedly shattered records at auctions.

What's a "Paul Newman" dial ?

These dials, produced in very limited quantities, were seen in smaller numbers on manually wound Rolex Daytona models from 1963 to 1972, initially experiencing mixed success upon their release.

Paul Newman was gifted a Daytona reference 6239 with an exotic dial in the 1960s by his wife, which gave rise to the legend and its nickname. This very watch was auctioned for $17,000,000 in 2017 by Phillips in New York… a record!

We can divide Daytona models with a "Paul Newman" dial into two categories: first, the references with non-screw-down pushers (6239, 6262, 6241, 6264), and second, the versions with screw-down pushers ensuring a waterproof case (6263, 6265, 6240…), which are rarer and more highly valued in the collector's watch market.

Each of them has its own technical and aesthetic characteristics, such as the "Panda" dial (white dial with black sub-dials) or the "Reverse Panda" (black dial with white sub-dials), the presence or absence of the "Oyster" inscription on the dial, "millerighe" pushers depending on the fineness of the grooves and the production period, and the red minute track outline or lack thereof, depending on the reference.

The specificity of the reference 6263 "RCO":

To fully understand the unique case of this exceptionally rare watch—one of the least produced and most coveted models—some explanation is necessary regarding what gives it its value and singularity: the dial.

The OYSTER inscription was only introduced with the screw-down pushers, which were designed to ensure a waterproof case. The non-screw-down pushers on the earlier references (6239, 6262, 6264) did not provide water resistance, and as a result, Rolex could not use its signature "Oyster" designation on the dial.

The order of the text beneath the Rolex crown is commonly referred to as "ROC" by collectors:

Rolex

Oyster

Cosmograph

There are, however, a few exceptions—without any official explanation—though we can speculate that they were either prototypes or very early production models. These dials are referred to as "RCO" due to the text order:

Rolex

Cosmograph

Oyster

These rare examples that have appeared at auction houses are observed on reference 6263 models that left the Rolex manufacture around 1969, marking the very beginning of production.

The RCO dial is further divided into two subcategories: MK1 and MK2, distinguishable in part by the letter "R" in the Rolex signature.

Manufactured by the renowned dial maker Singer, famous for the quality of its creations, the dial bears the company's signature stamped on its back, featuring the name of its founder: Jean Singer.

Rolex, with its industrial approach to watchmaking and subcontracting to the best players in the horology industry, likely had the Paul Newman dial designed and submitted by the renowned dial maker Singer.

First-Generation Pushers

One of the distinctive features of this early production phase is the first-generation pushers, nicknamed "Millerighe" by collectors due to their grooves ("a thousand lines" in Italian).

Initially made of brass with nickel rhodium plating (which had a tendency to deteriorate), they were later produced in steel. Over time, many of these pushers were replaced by Rolex during servicing with later-generation pushers, which were easier to handle and offered better water resistance.

Finding an example with its original pushers is therefore crucial, as a pair of Millerighe pushers is virtually impossible to source today…

The RCO Dial: A True Grail

The Rolex Daytona 6263 Paul Newman in its "RCO" variant is considered one of the 20 most important watches to own in a lifetime. It was even chosen to feature on the cover of the book "Montres Rares", co-written by Paul Miquel, with a foreword by the legendary Aurel Bacs from Phillips auction house.

Exceptional Auction Results

It is evident that Rolex Daytona reference 6263 models with the rare "RCO" dial ignite intense passion at auctions, commanding a significant premium compared to the more common "ROC" versions.

Notably, a "Tropical" RCO example has been sold at auction twice over the years:

First at Sotheby’s "Important Watches" in Geneva on November 14, 2010, for 464,500 CHF.

Second at Phillips "START-STOP-RESET: 88 Epic Stainless Steel Chronographs" in Geneva on May 14, 2016, achieving a remarkable price of 1,985,000 CHF—quadrupling its value in just six years.

—

Voir dans la boutique

A Purchase Requiring Unmatched Expertise

As you can imagine, acquiring this type of watch demands flawless expertise, often requiring cross-verification to ensure the protection of what should be considered a true investment.

The example presented here has the distinct advantage of having been physically inspected by the Heritage Department of Rolex in Geneva—with the official estimate included—as well as undergoing a detailed macro-photographic examination.

Below, you will find the expert assessment conducted by independent expert Fabrice Guéroux, along with photographs taken by Alliance Genève, a trusted partner of the world's leading auction houses.

The expertise booklet