Rolex Reference 6239 'Paul Newman' Daytona A stainless steel chronograph wristwatch, Circa 1968

The iconic reference 6239 ‘Daytona’ was introduced in the United States in 1963 to supersede the reference 6238, and available until 1969. The reference was the first to have the ‘Cosmograph’ dial designation and was produced with several dial configurations. The Tachymeter scale (used for measuring distance over time, aka, speed) which was previously printed on the dial of the 6238 was moved to an enlarged bezel, increasing the watches diameter my 1mm and providing an increased dial plate for more varied and intricate dial design, such as the ‘exotic’ dials, manufactured and supplied by Singer and with either a 2-colored dial in white or black or a 3-colored dial in white or black with red accents as seen on the current example.

These exotic dials were later to became known as 'Paul Newman' dial, after the actor. It is characterized by its square markers in the chronograph scale and subsidiary dials, as well as the alternating patterning of the coloration. At the time, these exotic dialed variants proved less popular, and so were sold in significantly fewer numbers than those with standard dials.

The reference 6239 with Paul Newman dial is an icon and an essential for any complete watch collection.