ROLEX | A VERY FINE AND EXTREMELY RARE YELLOW GOLD CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH REGISTERS AND TROPICAL MINUTE TRACKREF 6264 CASE 2357421 "LEMON DIAL" PAUL NEWMAN COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA CIRCA 1970

• cal. 727 manual winding movement, 17 jewels • "lemon dial", applied baton and luminous dots indexes, 3 engine-turned subsidiary dials for constant seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour register • 18k yellow gold case, black bezel calibrated for 200 units, chronograph pushers to the band, screw-down crown and case back • case, dial and movement signed • with an 18k yellow gold Rolex buckle

Movement in working order when cataloging. Dial and hands are in excellent condition, .Case in very good condition consistent with age, with very light hairlines and scuff from wear, hallmarks are clear and crisp. Inside case back stamped "6241". Overall in very good condition.* Please note that the movement has not tested for the accuracy of time or duration of the power reserve and a service might be required at the buyer's expense.**The strap of this wristwatch is made from an endangered species, please refer to important notices for further information.**
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. All dimensions in catalogue descriptions are approximate. Condition reports may not specify mechanical replacements or imperfections to the movement, case, dial, pendulum, separate base(s) or dome. Watches in water-resistant cases have been opened to examine movements but no warranties are made that the watches are currently water-resistant. Please note that we do not guarantee the authenticity of any individual component parts, such as wheels, hands, crowns, crystals, screws, bracelets and leather bands, since subsequent repairs and restoration work may have resulted in the replacement of original parts. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. In particular, please note it is the purchaser's responsibility to comply with any applicable import and export matters, particularly in relation to lots incorporating materials from endangered species.NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

**Please be advised that bands made of materials derived from endangered or otherwise protected species (i.e. alligator and crocodile) are not sold with the watches and are for display purposes only. We reserve the right to remove these bands prior to shipping."

Popularity of the Paul Newman Daytona is at an all-time high and buyers of such models range from Rolex lovers, profound collectors to celebrities. While many would argue the reasons for its appeal to the general public, reasons can vary from its multi-color exotic dial, the reliability of the movement, the history of the reference and the history of Paul Newman to the rarity of the watch. Many collectors would also argue that the “fun” in collecting a Paul Newman Daytona is for the mysterious and indefinite database we have of Rolex. A Paul Newman Daytona can be any watch that has a reference of 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 and 6265. However not all watches of these references can be regarded as a Paul Newman Daytona, and it is because a Paul Newman Daytona is defined by the configuration of the dial.  Simply speaking, the dial combination required for any collectors to claim their watches as a Paul Newman Daytona must include the characteristic of a 3-colored dial, an art deco-style font and the hash marks with small squares to the subsidiary dial.

It is said that for every 20 normal Daytona dials, there would be one exotic dial made. Yet among all the exotic dials made there is also a classification of which combination is more desirable. The combination immediately becomes more difficult when the reference and material of the watch come in to the picture. For instance a gold Paul Newman Daytona case would be rarer than one made in a stainless steel case, as there were only a fraction produced.

The present watch is a Rolex, Paul Newman Daytona reference 6264 in a yellow gold case and with a dial nicknamed “Lemon” dial by the Rolex community. The configuration of a “Lemon” dial is uncommon for various reasons; typically the dial color should be more of a cream color, and yet the “Lemon” dial features a more attractive citric tone with an intense black subsidiary dials and white graphics instead of gilt subsidiary-markers.  To the best of our knowledge, there are only a handful of “Lemon” dials known. What further distinguishes the present example is the outer minute track which has turned to a very warm “tropical” brown.

There are many very appealing features to the present watch. When one considers the 2.35 serial number, the correct Mk 1 bezel, the luminous dots that are even and have aged consistently matching the hands under the rays of an ultraviolet light and finally the case that is preserved in in excellent condition, with sharp finishes to the top of the lugs and gold marks beneath the lugs you have what many call today, a Trophy market watch. Sotheby’s is delighted to present this truly exceptional and rare Paul Newman 6264 with “Lemon” dial for auction.

For similar example of reference 6264 “Lemon Dial”, please see "Ultimate Rolex Daytona” by Pucci Papaelo, pages 316-319.