Rare Rolex sat in family drawer for 45 years, then sold for CHF 1.143 million
A rare 1967 Rolex Daytona Reference 6239 in 18k yellow gold, fitted with a Paul Newman dial, has sold for CHF 1.143 million in Geneva. The watch had remained in the family of its original owner for more than 45 years before being inherited by two sisters. Sotheby’s had estimated it at CHF 300,000 to CHF 600,000.
A rare 1967 Rolex Daytona with a Paul Newman dial, kept in a family drawer for over 45 years, sold for an impressive CHF 1.143 million at an auction in Geneva. The 18k yellow-gold watch, part of the original owner's collection, was later inherited by two sisters before being offered for sale.
According to Phillips Auction, the watch was listed by Sotheby’s with an estimated price range of CHF 300,000 to CHF 600,000. The final price, however, far surpassed the auction house's estimate. The sale brought attention to the rarity of yellow-gold Rolex Daytona models, particularly those with the Paul Newman-style dial.
Rolex introduced the Daytona in 1963, but it was discontinued just a few years later. Only about 14,000 examples of the Reference 6239 were produced, with around 300 of them being made in yellow gold. This makes the yellow-gold version an extremely rare find. The particular watch sold in Geneva is even rarer due to its Paul Newman dial, with only about 10 gold Reference 6239 watches with Paul Newman dials having resurfaced on the market.
The watch features an 18k yellow-gold case measuring 37 mm in diameter, a black dial with champagne-colored registers, and is powered by Rolex calibre 722-1. The case, dial, and movement are all signed, and it comes with a gold-plated Rolex buckle and a screw-down case back. However, it does not include its original box, papers, or other accessories.
The Reference 6239 was the first Daytona model produced by Rolex, designed for endurance racing. Its mechanical chronograph and tachymeter scale make it unique. The few yellow-gold examples have refined dial details, champagne tones, gilt markers, and distinctive graphics, which set them apart from the more common steel watches.
The Paul Newman dial, characterized by a black dial with champagne registers, adds to the watch's appeal among collectors. Another notable yellow-gold Reference 6239, known as "The Golden Pagoda," was also highlighted in a 2025 Geneva auction. Only around 300 yellow-gold examples of the Reference 6239 were made between 1963 and 1969, making the gold version a very small part of the total production.
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