In October 2017, a stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona once owned by Paul Newman sold for $17.8 million at Phillips in New York – becoming the most expensive wristwatch ever auctioned. Three years later, the record still stands. But the story behind the watch is as legendary as the man himself.

Paul Newman Rolex Daytona 6239
The Paul Newman Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 – "Exotic" dial, sold for $17.8M in 2017.

The Man, The Myth, The Daytona

Paul Newman was not merely a Hollywood icon; he was also a devoted racing driver and horology enthusiast. In 1968, his wife Joanne Woodward had the caseback engraved with "DRIVE CAREFULLY ME" – a loving, teasing warning. Newman wore the watch daily for decades, and it became inseparable from his image.

The watch itself is a Reference 6239, produced circa 1968. What makes it extraordinary is the "exotic" dial – later nicknamed the "Paul Newman" dial – featuring art deco numerals and a seconds track in a contrasting color scheme. At the time, these dials were not popular; today they are the holy grail for collectors.

"This watch represents the intersection of Hollywood glamour, motorsport passion, and horological rarity. It's a perfect storm of collectibility."
– Paul Boutros, Phillips Watches

The Auction That Shook The World

When the watch surfaced in 2017 – after Newman had given it to their daughter's boyfriend – the watch world held its breath. Phillips estimated it at $1 million, but insiders knew it would fly higher. The room at 450 Park Avenue was electric. After 12 minutes of bidding, the hammer fell at $15.5 million. With buyer's premium, the total reached $17,752,500.

The buyer? A telephone bidder later revealed to be a prominent European collector. The watch instantly became the most expensive wristwatch ever sold, a title it still holds today.

Why It Still Matters

The Paul Newman Daytona record is not just about a number – it changed the watch collecting landscape forever. It legitimized vintage watches as serious alternative assets, attracted a new generation of collectors, and cemented the Daytona's status as the king of steel chronographs. Since 2017, the entire vintage Rolex market has seen exponential growth, with Paul Newman dials routinely selling for seven figures.

For BidMaster, this story is a constant reminder of the emotional power of objects. A watch given in love, worn with passion, and now preserved as a piece of cultural history. That's what we celebrate.

Paul Newman racing
Paul Newman at the wheel, wearing his Daytona.

Looking ahead: While the $17.8M record seems untouchable, the market never sleeps. A unique Patek Philippe ref. 1518 in steel recently sold for $11M, and a Rolex "Bao Dai" reached $5M. Will another Daytona someday surpass Newman's? Only time – and bidding – will tell.