Paul Newman's Other Rolex Daytonas

When someone mentions Paul Newman and Rolex in the same sentence, they are likely referencing his 1968 Daytona that was sold at auction by Philipps in 2017 for a hefty $17,750,000 USD (well $15.5 million plus a 12.5% buyer’s premium). The sale of Paul Newman’s “Paul Newman” Daytona was the buzz of the watch community. The most expensive Rolex ever sold, surpassing the previous record holder, the Bao Dai Rolex, by over $12,000,000 (the Bao Dai Rolex sold at auction earlier in 2017 for just over $5,000,000).

Well, this article is not going to discuss that Daytona (as wonderful as it is). I am going to discuss Paul Newman’s other, lesser known Rolex Daytonas, one that Philipps sold at auction in October of 2020, and another that Newman wore later in life.

Paul Newman received a second Daytona as a gift from his wife Joanne in 1983. This second Daytona technically wasn’t a “Paul Newman” Daytona (though it was Paul Newman’s Daytona). It is reference 6263 and is referred to by collectors as “Big Red” due to the “DAYTONA” in large red print just above the 6 o’clock hour subdial. Rumor has it that after receiving this Daytona Newman felt okay with parting with his famous “Paul Newman” Daytona. In 1984, Newman gifted his first Daytona to James Cox,18-years-old at the time, dating Newman’s daughter Nell and spending the summer helping Newman build a treehouse.

Courtesy of SeriousFun Children’s Network

Harkening back to Newman’s previous Daytona which he inscribed with with “Drive Carefully / Me“, Joanne inscribed the 6263 with “Drive Slowly / Joanne”. Newman eventually passed the watch on to his daughter Clea Newman Soderlund. In an interview she confirmed that Newman “wore the watch nearly every day until he gave it to me. He was photographed wearing it on numerous occasions as was I. It has been a treasure of mine for almost thirteen years. To me, this watch shows my mother’s tolerance of his continued passion for racing and reflects the enduring love between them which remained for another 25 years until his passing.”

Clea Newman Soderlund wearing Paul Newman’s 6263.

Newman Soderlund put the 6263 up for auction in 2020, again with Philipps. While the watch did not come close to the $17,750,000 commanded by Newman’s “Paul Newman” Daytona, it sold for $5,475,000 USD, making it the third most expensive Rolex ever sold.

When Newman gifted his daughter the 6263, not long before his death, his wife made sure that he did not go watchless. Yes, Newman had a third Rolex Daytona. His wife gifted Newman another, more modern Daytona, in white gold. Newman could be seen in 2008, on the racetrack wearing this watch, reference 116519. Joanne made sure to have the caseback of this piece inscribed, this time playfully with “Drive Very Slowly / Joanne”. It is not known who is in possession of this third Daytona. Perhaps one day it too will see the auction floor. Undoubtedly a special watch, it likely won’t see close to prices achieved by Newman’s previous two Daytonas.

Courtesy of Charles Tearle

The history of Paul Newman and his Rolex Daytonas show a man that loved racing, had a loving relationship with his wife Joanne, and loved Rolex.