The past week, Phillips held two highly anticipated watch auctions, the Geneva Watch Autumn Auction and the “Retrospective: 2000-2020” co-curated with Blackbird Automotive Group, with the latter achieving a remarkable “white glove” result. However, the upcoming “Racing Pulse” watch auction in New York next month seems to be garnering more attention in the watch industry. Among the 138 lots presented by Phillips this time, two exceptional pieces will be featured: the rare Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263 owned by Paul Newman during his lifetime, and the TAG Heuer Monaco worn by Hollywood actor Steve McQueen in his iconic film “Le Mans.”
Today, let’s first introduce the Rolex Daytona Ref. 6263, once owned by Paul Newman.
When it comes to the name “Paul Newman,” I believe even friends who pay little attention to watch news or history must know it. Especially when a first-generation Paul Newman 6239 was sold at a sky-high price of HK$138 million in 2017, it further solidified Paul Newman’s status in the watch industry. If you still remember, you should recall that this 6239 not only features a unique “dice face” Exotic Dial design, but also has the phrase “Drive Carefully Me” engraved on the case back. Although the 6263 being auctioned this time is not officially named as the Paul Newman Daytona like the 6239, its story is quite influential and may even surpass the background of the 6239.
The 6263 that appears this time is a Paul Newman series watch that has never appeared in an auction house. However, just from a design perspective, apart from the “Daytona” in big red letters on the small dial at 6 o’clock, there is basically nothing special about it. It definitely does not have the iconic features like the “dice face” or “panda face” that the 6239 has. If you only look at the photos, you can probably only say that it was made in the late 70s to early 80s, and it cannot be compared to the 6239 at all. It is true that there is no defense against this point of doubt, but as the saying goes: “the devil is in the details.” To understand the precious moment of this 6263, you must start by getting to know it from the “back.”
Yes, the so-called back is indeed the position of the watch case back.
From fame to the present, Paul Newman and his beloved wife Joanne Woodward have always been exemplary couples in the film industry, great philanthropists, and watch collectors. In 1983, the latter gave Paul Newman, who was already on the road to fame, a watch as a 25th wedding anniversary gift, with the words “Drive slowly Joanne” engraved on the case back. Going back to the story of the 6239, it is said that the reason why the watch is officially called the Paul Newman Daytona is because Paul Newman often wore this watch in public, and after numerous appearances in various reports, it eventually became a symbol of Paul Newman. However, what many people do not know is that the 6263 up for auction this time is actually the Daytona that Paul Newman wore most often, for the longest time, and cherished the most – he first wore it in 1983 and only took it off in 2008.
Perhaps you will ask, isn’t Paul Newman often seen wearing the 6239 in public the most common example? Not at all. According to data, the 6263 accompanied Paul Newman and Joanne Woodward from their silver anniversary to their golden anniversary, witnessing Paul Newman establish his charity business, food business Newman’s Own, and even witnessing Paul Newman step onto the Oscar stage and achieve success in racing, another 25 years. Finally, Paul Newman took off his watch in 2008, a year that watch enthusiasts and movie fans will surely know: because that year Paul Newman was battling lung cancer and was forced to undergo treatment in the hospital, knowing his time was limited, Paul Newman gave the watch to his daughter Clea during this time. Initially, she refused to accept the watch, but ultimately, after her father’s insistence, she accepted this gift. Before this auction, Clea had never sold or given away this watch to any family, friends, or auction houses.
For this first auction, Phillips had a simple conversation with Clea. Clea recalled that when she was young, whenever someone praised this watch to Paul Newman, her father would always say, “Joanne has great taste, she gave this to me.” Whenever she went to participate in equestrian competitions, her father would bring this watch and time her on the side. Since receiving the watch in 2008, Clea has always regarded it as a treasure, not because of its high value in the auction market, but because this watch represents her mother’s tolerance towards her father, and highlights the true love between the two.
As mentioned above, Paul Newman was very dedicated to charity work during his lifetime, so the proceeds from the sale of this 6263 at Phillips will be donated to several charitable organizations established by Paul Newman, including the “SeriousFun Children’s Network” and the “Safe Water Network,” two charities founded by Paul Newman and his wife Joanne. This thoughtful arrangement undoubtedly adds more meaning to the auction for Paul Newman’s family.
