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One of the most iconic wristwatch models in history is the Daytona, sitting in its ultra-rare league where a single word says it all. You don’t need to say “Rolex Daytona” any more than you need to say “Ferrari Testarossa”—the name is the legacy!
It made a late entry into the history of tool watches, then followed an unexpected path to achieving legendary status. The exact release year of the first true Rolex Cosmograph is somewhat unclear. Enough units were produced in 1963 to consider it the debut year, supported by a period advertisement referring to the watch as the "Le Mans", a name used before "Daytona". From its inception, the Daytona, named after the iconic Daytona International Speedway in Florida, home to the renowned NASCAR 'Daytona 500' and '24 Hours of Daytona' races, was created with racing in mind and quickly became synonymous with the sport. Rolex started supporting the event in the mid-1960s and gradually began incorporating the Daytona name on select Cosmograph models over time.
This moment holds major significance in Rolex history, as it marked the evolution of the chronograph from just another watch into a serious tool watch. The key turning point? Relocating the tachymeter scale from the dial to the bezel. This single design choice dramatically improved legibility and gave the bezel a functional identity of its own. The first reference was the Reference 6239, with a steel bezel and available with black dial, a matte white/cream colour, and a silver sunburst version.
A bit later, in 1965, a more “experimental” reference emerged, the Ref. 6240. It was the first Daytona to feature screw-down pushers to improve waterproofness. In 1966, a year after the 6240 Rolex introduced the Ref. 6241, which featured an upgraded bezel made of black acrylic instead of steel. This added reference offered a pump-pusher chronograph with a striking black acrylic bezel for added contrast and visual appeal. None of the references mentioned above were immediate hits. Rolex actually had a hard time selling the Daytona. At the time they often sat unsold in display cases for years, and sold for less than the price of a Datejust. In an effort to boost their appeal and attract a wider audience, Rolex decided to introduce a subtle update to the dial design.
Rolex opted for a daring design by dial manufacturer Singer; they were called “exotic” dials. The exotic dial stood out with several unique characteristics:
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A contrasting outer track, matching the color of the sub-dials, encircles the edge of the dial;
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Sub-dials feature crosshairs intersecting at the center, along with square or block markers in place of traditional “stick markers”—a very “Art Deco” touch!
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The seconds sub-dial positioned at 9 o’clock is marked at 15, 30, 45, and 60—unlike standard versions which are marked at 20, 40, and 60—in a very different font than a standard Daytona.
The Rolex Daytona Paul Newman dials are iconic in the world of horology, but their rise to fame is an interesting story. Initially, these dials weren't considered especially desirable when they were first released in the 1960s. They were often seen as quirky and were not as highly regarded as other Rolex models at the time. However, several key factors contributed to their eventual popularity.
Winding a bit forward in time: actor Paul Newman was well-known for his love of Rolex Daytonas. He appeared in numerous iconic films, during the latter part of the 20th century. Notable titles include Cool Hand Luke, Hud, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, The Hustler, Road to Perdition, and many others. Besides acting, Newman was also a skilled race car driver, competing professionally and being part of the Rolex team. He participated in the prestigious 1979 Le Mans race, finishing second overall and first in class. Remarkably, at the age of 70, he won his class at the 24 Hours of Daytona!
During his prime, the actor was frequently photographed wearing a Rolex Daytona 6239 with a white exotic dial, a gift from his wife, Joan. In the 1980s, Italian collectors (Who built” the passion for collecting vintage watches as a niche) discovered that Newman owned this uniquely designed Daytona and began to appreciate its “Art Deco” details and we all know how it has developed. The timepiece worn by Paul Newman himself was auctioned in 2017 for 17.8 million US dollars, further proving that these watches are considered treasures by connoisseurs!
This specimen is a rare Reference 6262, a highly collectible version of the Daytona that featured the sought-after "Exotic Dial" option and was produced for just one year, from 1970 to 1971. While it closely resembles its predecessor externally, several internal upgrades set it apart, most notably the enhanced cal. 727 movement making it a transitional and one of the most collectible references.
The case remains in very strong condition, featuring a beautiful steel tachymeter bezel calibrated from 50 to 200 units per hour, pump-style pushers, and a Rolex folded Oyster bracelet, reference 7835, with end links marked 271 and a clasp stamped 2/71. The star of the show is the black “Exotic” dial, with a jet-black base color, super clean cream-colored subdials, and just that perfect splash of red.
The iconic Art Deco details in the subdials and the stylish numerals chosen by Singer are simply stunning. The lume plots and hands have developed a beautiful yellow tone, a perfect complement to the black, cream, and red dial elements.The watch is accompanied by a Rolex Australia service invoice dated 2018, which even mentions “exotic dial”, a rare and important detail! Since the watch was serviced in 2018 and the previous owner chose not to wear it afterwards, we decided to have our watchmaker fully inspect and regulate it once again.
This 6262 also has a intriguing backstory, some genuine provenance. This watch belonged to a Dutch steward from the Royal Dutch KLM airline. He inherited it from his grandfather and wore it for many years during his time as a steward. After wearing it for several years, he grew curious about the watch on his wrist and posted a few questions on the American Rolex forum. Once he learned about the significance of the piece, he realized he was wearing a rare and valuable watch. He eventually decided to part with it, and it ended up with a world-class collector based in the Netherlands (as is, of course, the Bulang and Sons company). After a decade, it found its way to us.
We always aim to keep a selection of Daytonas in stock, with a crisp Newman the grail to many high-end collectors! Please feel free to reach out to our private sales department if you have any questions about this pinnacle of watch collecting
Specifications
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Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6262
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36mm steel case
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Black tri-color “Paul Newman/Exotic dial
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Serial 255xxxx dating to 1971
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Pump pushers and 6mm winding crown
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Steel tachymeter bezel
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Rolex oyster bracelet ref . 7836 with end links 271
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Rolex Australia service invoice mentioning “exotic dial” , dated 2018
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Fully checked by our watchmaker
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1 year mechanical warranty
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Fully insured delivery
