53 Rolex A rare and absolutely coveted, Daytona, manual chronograph wristwatch in steel, with black Paul Newman dial, reference 6241.
Estimate: € 150.000 – 300.000
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- Model Daytona
- Year 1969
- Reference 6241
- Case Material Stainless steel
- Case Number 2'371'072
- Bracelet Material Leather strap
- Movement Manual, cal. 722-1, 17 jewels
- Dimension 37mm Diameter
- Signed Case, dial and movement
Few watches carry the same myth, magnetism and market-defining aura as a “Paul Newman” Daytona. And within that elite circle, the reference 6241 occupies a particularly compelling chapter.
Produced from approximately 1966 to 1969, scholarship suggests that no more than 3,000 examples of the 6241 were manufactured across all metals. Only a fraction were fitted with the so-called “exotic” dial, today universally known as the “Paul Newman.” At the time, these dials were slow sellers. Dealers struggled to move them. By the early 1970s, they were quietly discontinued. History, of course, had other plans.
The 6241 marked an important evolution in the Daytona lineage. It was the first to introduce the black acrylic bezel, replacing the steel bezel of the earlier 6239 and giving the watch a more assertive, racing-focused character.
The present example features the celebrated tricolor configuration: black main dial, contrasting white sub-dials, and vivid red “Daytona” script arcing above the lower register. The architecture of the dial is unmistakably three-dimensional, with a step between the outer track and the recessed central field. The Art Deco-style numerals, square-tipped markers within the sub-dials, and crisp minute hashes create a rhythm that is both graphic and mechanical.
Equally important, the case retains strong proportions and nice edges, details that seasoned collectors scrutinize with almost forensic attention. The pushers, bezel, and overall silhouette remain sharp, preserving the integrity of the reference’s purposeful design.
The 6241 “Paul Newman” is a cornerstone. A watch once overlooked, now revered. For the connoisseur, it represents that rare intersection where scarcity, design, condition, and legend converge in perfect alignment.
Condition Report
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