Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo
WINNING ICONS – LEGENDARY WATCHES OF THE 20TH CENTURY
NEW YORK, 26 OCTOBER 2017
The Rolex Daytona Ref. 6239, known as the “Paul Newman” owned by legendary actor Paul Newman sold for $15.5-million, plus buyer’s premium of 12.5%, for a final price of $17,752,500 at a Phillips in association with Bacs & Russo setting a new record for a Rolex sold at auction. It is also the record price for any wristwatch sold at auction, and is considered the most iconic wristwatch of the 20th Century.
The previous record for a Rolex sold at auction was $5-million for a Rolex Ref. 6062, nicknamed the “Bao Dai” because it was owned by the last emperor of Vietnam. Previously the highest price paid for a Rolex Daytona – the most collectible Rolex model – was $3.7-million, set last spring at a Phillips, Bacs & Russo auction. Previously the most expensive wristwatch sold at auction was a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518, for $11-million, also sold by Phillips.
Newman gifted it in 1984 to James Cox, the former boyfriend and now close friend of Paul Newman’s daughter Nell. A portion of the proceeds of tonight’s sale will go to the Nell Newman Foundation, a charitable foundation that supports her father’s philanthropic values, while serving Nell’s commitment to organic foods and sustainable agriculture.
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