The 6241 14K ‘Paul Newman Nero’ aka ‘The John Player Special’

ROLEX. A VERY RARE AND ATTRACTIVE 14K GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH GUARANTEE AND BOX

SIGNED ROLEX, COSMOGRAPH, DAYTONA, PAUL NEWMAN MODEL, REF. 6241, CASE NO. 2’112’967, MANUFACTURED IN 1969

Cal. 722-1 mechanical movement, 17 jewels, black dial, applied square black numerals with luminous accents, luminous hands, outer gilt ffths of a second divisions, three engine-turned champagne subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30 minutes and 12 hours registers, tonneaushaped water-resistant-type case, black bezel calibrated for 200 units per hour, screw back, screw down crown, two round chronograph buttons in the band, 14K gold Rolex Oyster riveted bracelet, case, dial and movement signed

With Rolex Guarantee, a spare bracelet link and Rolex ftted green presentation box.

Produced between 1966 and 1969, reference 6241’s total production amounts to roughly 3000 pieces, slightly less than 400 in 14k gold. It is an educated guess that only a fraction of these were ftted with the Paul Newman dial, either in gold or in this case, in black.

On the 21st of April, 1985, a young Brazilian driver gained his frst great Formula One victory in the Portuguese Grand Prix held at Estoril. That day, Ayrton Senna started his racing career by crossing the fnishing line for Team Lotus sporting the John Player Special livery in a vehicle that is still today regarded as one of the most ‘beautiful’ racing cars of all time. The colours of this car, totally black with contrasting gilt details and trimmings, are still synonymous with elegance and charm. Consequently it is a perfect match with this black and gold Paul Newman – bearing a serial number close to 2.1 million. Theoretically it may be considered a standard version, but is actually a very rare one both for its mint condition and for the limited number of pieces produced.

The present example, manufactured in 1969, together with its original box and guarantee, distinguishes itself by the wonderful conservation of its dial. When framed by the black bezel, the black and white effect of the dial merges beautifully with the case, making an impressive visual impact. It is interesting to note how the gold bezel of this 6241 version displays four beautifully preserved outer facets and features an acrylic ring featuring the tachymeter scale.

Courtesy of Christie's

50 EXCEPTIONAL EXAMPLES OF THE WORLD’S MOST CELEBRATED CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH AUCTION

GENEVA – 10 NOVEMBER 2013

LOT 12
ESTIMATE PRICE: SFr.80,000-160,000
PRICE REALIZED: 389,000

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