Got US$1.3m to splurge? This ultra-rare Rolex 'Paul Newman' Daytona could be yours
When it first hit the market, it was one of the brand’s least desirable models, but it grew in popularity when actor Paul Newman made a habit of wearing one
It’s not every day that a “lemon dial” Rolex Paul Newman Daytona comes on the market.
This particular Daytona 6264 is being sold by Xupes and has an estimated value of £1 million (US$1.3 million).
Xupes says this is just the fifth known example of its kind to come to market.
Similar models have sold recently, one for US$734,000 at Sotheby’s in April and one for US$871,500 at Christie's last year – but neither of those had solid gold bracelets like the one Xupes has acquired.
The yellow gold Daytonas were produced in fewer numbers than the steel models, and even fewer were made with a yellow “lemon” dial.
When it first hit the market, the Rolex Daytona was one of the brand’s most undesirable models, far surpassed by Day-Date, Submariner, and Datejust, according to Hodinkee.
It was only when famous actor Paul Newman made a habit of wearing one that the fortunes of the Daytona turned around.