The 5 Most Expensive Rolex Daytona Panda Watches Sold at Auction

T he Rolex Daytona Panda is a legendary timepiece, revered for its blend of aesthetics, functionality, and historical significance. Among the various models, the Paul Newman Rolex Daytona Panda stands out, not just for its distinctive look but also for its association with the actor and race car driver, Paul Newman. This article delves into the top five selling Rolex Daytona Panda watches at Sotheby's, highlighting their unique features, provenance, and the reasons behind their significant demand.

1. Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman Reference 6263 - 504,000 USD (December 2022)

The Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Panda 6263, was sold in December 2022, included all original accessories such as the presentation box, guarantee booklet dated December 6, 1971, and operating instructions. The complete nature of this lot made it a coveted trophy for any Rolex Daytona collector.

The Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Panda featured a mark 1.5 Singer dial with a crisp ivory and black coloring. It was equipped with the correct 5-point Rolex crown, displaying only the coronet, and further recognized for its screw-down pushers enhancing water resistance. The art-deco style of the font and the hash marks with small squares on the subsidiary dial were characteristic of Paul Newman Rolex Daytona dials. The Rolex Paul Newman Daytona is historically tied to the endurance race ‘24 Hours of Daytona’ and the actor Paul Newman, establishing its place as one of the most iconic wristwatches of all time. This particular piece was offered in good condition, complete with box and papers, a rarity in the vintage Rolex market.

2. Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman Reference 6263 - 355,600 GBP (September 2023)

Considered a holy grail for many collectors, this Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman 6263 was consigned by the family of the original owner. The rebooted ‘exotic’ dial from the mid-1960s featured a distinct triple-colored face with a step and sub-dials with Art-Deco numerals and square indexes, which later became known as the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman dial.

The watch was in good condition, with a very clean bi-color mk1 dial, showing a crisp print and minimal water damage and discoloration. At the time of selling, the case had signs of polishing but maintained an honest and charismatic condition, with lume plots aged to a mixture of creams and darker tones. Today, the Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman, reference 6263, remains one of the most sought-after vintage Rolex watches, increasing the desirability of the above ‘re-issued’ custom model.

3. Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman MK 1 Reference 6263 - 500,000 USD (June 2020)

An exceptional example of a Rolex Daytona Panda "Paul Newman" Cosmograph 6263 was offered as a fresh-to-market model at Sotheby’s in June 2020. A rarity amongst vintage models, yet not without vintage charm, the watch aged beautifully thanks to the efforts of its original owner over the course of 50 years. .

The dial, referenced as a "Mark I.75" by collectors, had luminous hour markers aged to an attractive shade of caramel. The art-deco style of the font and the hash marks with small squares on the subsidiary dial were characteristic of "Paul Newman" dials. The watch retained its original Oyster bracelet, pushers, and bezel insert, enhancing its sporty aesthetic. In the world of vintage watches, a Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman dial is highly-sought after and incredibly valuable, making this circa 1970 example particularly special.

4. Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman Reference 6263 - 412,500 CHF (November 2019)

The above Rolex Daytona Paul Newman 6263 came to Sotheby’s from its sole and original owner for auction. A testament to Rolex’s expertise and the owner’s care, the watch had only been taken to a watchmaker once for movement verification and was otherwise untouched. Notably, the reference was in incredible condition. Finding this reference in good condition is challenging, making provenance and history crucial.

This particular piece was acquired at Bucherer in the mid-1970s by its original and sole owner. The serial number 2'085'601 indicated a very early version of reference 6263, driving up its value to collectors. It featured an ‘MK 1 Panda’ dial with an ivory hue and MK1 bezel, corresponding to the first models produced. The first-generation ‘millerighe’ pushers and intact luminous dots on the dial highlighted the remarkable condition of this watch.

5. Rolex Daytona Panda Paul Newman Reference 6262 - 162,500 CHF (March 2020)

The last Rolex Daytona Panda Reference 6262 fitted with pump pushers, differed from its sister model ref. 6241, which had an acrylic calibrated bezel instead of today’s steel one. Introduced in 1970, it was powered by the new 727 Valjoux calibre. This lot was particularly attractive, having received a complete service by Rolex, restoring it to almost its original factory finish.

The sharp lugs and metal-brushed finishing made it incredibly appealing on the wrist. This watch, with its unique features and restored condition, stood out among vintage Rolex Daytona models, which made it a prized possession for collectors.

The Rolex Daytona Panda, especially the Paul Newman models, continues to captivate collectors worldwide. Each of these top-selling watches at Sotheby's showcases the unique blend of history, design, and provenance that makes the Daytona a timeless icon. From their distinctive dials and robust builds to their connections with notable personalities, these timepieces are not just watches but pieces of horological art that tell a story of innovation and elegance.

Source Your Next Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Daytona, where in the affectionately named Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ form or highly-coveted Rolex Daytona Cosmograph models, remains one of the most sought after watches globally. Sotheby's is on hand to support as a trusted partner for selling or purchasing a vintage or modern Rolex Daytona.