Paul Newman Daytona

Well, it’s official. With a final sale price of $17,752,500 including buyer’s premiums and fees, Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona 6239 has officially become the world’s most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction, blowing away the previous record holder (the Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in steel) by over $6.6M. In an absolutely packed house at the Phillips Auction gallery in New York, collectors and enthusiasts alike waited with bated breath to see if the piece would meet (or exceed) the widely speculated target of over $10M; they weren’t to be disappointed.

A Hollywood legend in every sense, mere mention of the name Paul Newman conjures up images of his distinguished life and careers as an actor, director, race car driver, entrepreneur, family man, and philanthropist.  He was a multi-faceted virtuoso and his incredible performances on screen and stage not only made audiences laugh and cry for decades, but won him two Academy Awards, including that of Best Actor – Hollywood’s ultimate endorsement of his immense talents.

When Newman was filming his first racing-themed film,Winning, Rolex dealers couldn’t get the early “exotic dial” Daytonas off the shelves.

After this 6239 began to appear on the actor’s wrist, but even in the earliest days on the set of Winning, Joanne (Paul Newman's wife) was uncomfortable about her husband’s motor racing, fearing he would hurt himself in an accident.

Either during or following the filming of Winning, Joanne purchased the perfect gift for her husband, likely at Tiffany & Co. – a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona – a watch designed specifically for motor sport.

On its caseback, she inscribed the message: “DRIVE CAREFULLY ME” as a reminder of her concern at Mr Newman’s racing.

Decades later, the now-famed Rolex Daytona is one of the most coveted chronographs ever. Initially gifted to Newman by his wife, Joanne Woodward, the actor’s personal Daytona bears the inscription, “Drive Carefully. Me.” Woodward often worried for her husband’s safety when he took to the track, and her words served as a reminder to him on race days. Newman wore the beloved Daytona constantly before gifting it to his daughter Nell’s then long-term partner, James Cox. Nell recalls to this day her father’s pride in the accuracy of his watch, going so far as to place the occasional gentleman’s bet with his guests about whose timepiece was more accurate. Now, this icon to beat all horological icons will head to the auction block in Manhattan this October, when Phillips will sell it at its Winning Icons watch sale, partial proceeds from which will benefit the Nell Newman Foundation.