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Lot Essay
Truly a world-class rarity, the 14k gold reference 6264 Paul Newman ‘John Player Special’ is almost mythical. While its existence was known, very few people have ever seen one or had the opportunity to study its characteristics. It is a landmark moment that one of these extraordinarily rare watches is being offered here - the first of its kind ever to be presented at an international auction.
Among all Cosmograph Daytonas, reference 6264 is one of the rarest. Considered by collectors to be a transitional model, it serves as the key link between the two main eras of the manual-winding Daytona. It was produced for only three years, between 1969 and 1972. Alongside reference 6262, the 6264 was the last Rolex chronograph to feature simple round push-down buttons. It has a bezel with a black acrylic insert and white tachymeter graduation. Reference 6264 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14k and 18k gold. The majority of this reference was made in stainless steel, with only a very small number produced in 18k and 14k yellow gold. Among those gold watches, only a few were fitted with Paul Newman dials, classified as either Lemon or John Player Special.
However, the 14k gold Paul Newman John Player Special is in a league of its own in terms of rarity and desirability - so much so that it has almost never been seen or even photographed publicly. It is believed to have been made exclusively for the North American market, with only two or three examples thought to exist in total.
Included with this remarkable timepiece is a handwritten letter, dated August 2021, from the watch’s former (possibly second) owner, who states that he purchased the watch in 1975 and wore it on his honeymoon around three years later. The Rolex 1971 Guarantee is stamped by Hausmann’s, the prestigious New Orleans jeweler established in 1870.
The 14k gold 6264 JPS has a very specific identifying characteristic - the straight or flat ‘T Swiss T’ marking on the dial, rather than the familiar so-called ‘Sing-Song’ style often encountered on other Daytona dials. This small detail is proof of the dial’s correctness for this precise Paul Newman John Player Special reference in 14k gold. Interestingly, the ‘Daytona’ text on the dial matches that seen on ‘Lemon’ dials of the same period.
The case retains strong proportions and remains full and crisp, with sharp edges and a brushed finish on the top of the lugs. It has developed the lustrous purple patination to the gold that occurs only after many years in a safe and is highly prized by collectors. The ‘Typeface B’ serial and reference numbers between the lugs are crisp and clearly legible, as is the ‘14k’ gold mark stamped on the back of the lower right lug. The ‘Mark 1’ bezel insert is also remarkably well preserved for its age. The 14k gold bracelet, made in the US by C&I, is the highly desirable version with riveted links. The deployant clasp is stamped ‘Rolex U.S.A.,’ ‘C*I,’ and ‘79.’
Among all Cosmograph Daytonas, reference 6264 is one of the rarest. Considered by collectors to be a transitional model, it serves as the key link between the two main eras of the manual-winding Daytona. It was produced for only three years, between 1969 and 1972. Alongside reference 6262, the 6264 was the last Rolex chronograph to feature simple round push-down buttons. It has a bezel with a black acrylic insert and white tachymeter graduation. Reference 6264 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14k and 18k gold. The majority of this reference was made in stainless steel, with only a very small number produced in 18k and 14k yellow gold. Among those gold watches, only a few were fitted with Paul Newman dials, classified as either Lemon or John Player Special.
However, the 14k gold Paul Newman John Player Special is in a league of its own in terms of rarity and desirability - so much so that it has almost never been seen or even photographed publicly. It is believed to have been made exclusively for the North American market, with only two or three examples thought to exist in total.
Included with this remarkable timepiece is a handwritten letter, dated August 2021, from the watch’s former (possibly second) owner, who states that he purchased the watch in 1975 and wore it on his honeymoon around three years later. The Rolex 1971 Guarantee is stamped by Hausmann’s, the prestigious New Orleans jeweler established in 1870.
The 14k gold 6264 JPS has a very specific identifying characteristic - the straight or flat ‘T Swiss T’ marking on the dial, rather than the familiar so-called ‘Sing-Song’ style often encountered on other Daytona dials. This small detail is proof of the dial’s correctness for this precise Paul Newman John Player Special reference in 14k gold. Interestingly, the ‘Daytona’ text on the dial matches that seen on ‘Lemon’ dials of the same period.
The case retains strong proportions and remains full and crisp, with sharp edges and a brushed finish on the top of the lugs. It has developed the lustrous purple patination to the gold that occurs only after many years in a safe and is highly prized by collectors. The ‘Typeface B’ serial and reference numbers between the lugs are crisp and clearly legible, as is the ‘14k’ gold mark stamped on the back of the lower right lug. The ‘Mark 1’ bezel insert is also remarkably well preserved for its age. The 14k gold bracelet, made in the US by C&I, is the highly desirable version with riveted links. The deployant clasp is stamped ‘Rolex U.S.A.,’ ‘C*I,’ and ‘79.’