Paul Newman Daytona

Rolex Paul Newman Daytona for Sale

Few names in watch collecting carry the weight of the Paul Newman Daytona. The nickname — whether you search Rolex Paul Newman, Paul Newman Rolex, Daytona Paul Newman, or simply the Paul Newman watch — traces back to the vintage Cosmograph Daytona “exotic dial” of the 1960s and 70s: Art Deco numerals, block sub-dial markers with crosshairs, a stepped outer track, and a seconds register marked 15-30-45-60. Actor and racer Paul Newman wore a reference 6239 gifted by his wife Joanne Woodward, and when that very watch sold at auction in 2017 for $17.75 million it became one of the most valuable wristwatches ever sold — cementing the Paul Newman Daytona as the ultimate grail among vintage Rolex collectors.

Only six vintage references carry a factory Paul Newman exotic dial: 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, and 6265, produced in 37mm stainless steel and yellow gold with manually wound Valjoux movements. Authentic examples routinely trade in the six and seven figures, and originality of the dial is everything — the same reference with a standard dial is not a Paul Newman.

Today the Paul Newman name lives on in the modern Daytona references collectors call the modern Paul Newman: yellow gold Daytonas with black dials whose contrasting registers echo the vintage exotic-dial look. Our inventory focuses on these pieces — the 116528 and 116508 on Oyster bracelet, the current 126508, and the 126518LN on Oysterflex. Browse our Rolex Daytona collection and Daytona Le Mans for related modern chronographs, or explore the full Oysterflex lineup.

Every Paul Newman style Daytona we sell is inspected and authenticated by our in-house experts. We ship fully insured nationwide from our Oak Park, Michigan showroom via FedEx Hold for Pickup at your nearest FedEx location — call or text 248-422-0909 or use our contact page to check availability, discuss a vintage sourcing request, or start a quote on our Sell My Watch page for an offer on your Daytona.

Paul Newman Daytona FAQ

How much is a Rolex Paul Newman Daytona worth?

Vintage exotic-dial examples (refs 6239–6265) typically start around $200,000 and can reach seven figures for rare configurations like the “Oyster Sotto” 6263. Modern yellow gold black dial Daytonas carrying the nickname — 116528, 116508, 126508, 126518LN — generally trade from the $40,000s to $80,000s depending on year, condition, and box and papers. Call 248-422-0909 for current pricing.

What makes a Daytona a true Paul Newman?

A factory “exotic” dial on one of six vintage references: 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, or 6265. Look for Art Deco numerals, square sub-dial markers with crosshairs, and a seconds register marked at 15, 30, 45, and 60. The same references with standard dials are not Paul Newmans, and later-added exotic dials significantly reduce value.

What is the difference between the vintage and modern Paul Newman?

Vintage Paul Newmans are 37mm manually wound chronographs from the 1960s–70s. The modern watches collectors nickname Paul Newman are 40mm self-winding yellow gold Daytonas with black dials — 116528, 116508, 126508, and the 126518LN on Oysterflex — that echo the vintage exotic-dial aesthetic with contrasting registers.

Is the Paul Newman Daytona a good investment?

Vintage exotic-dial Daytonas are among the strongest performing collectible watches in history, and the modern yellow gold black dial references have shown consistently strong demand on the secondary market as the most affordable way into the Paul Newman look.

Is it safe to buy a used Rolex Paul Newman Daytona online from My Watch LLC?

Yes. Every watch we sell goes through a rigorous multi-point inspection before it ever leaves our showroom — authentication by our in-house experts, timekeeping accuracy testing, and pressure testing to verify water resistance. My Watch LLC is a Chrono24 Certified dealer, an eBay Top Rated Seller, and a trusted seller on Reddit's Rolex community, with over 800 five-star Google reviews and nearly 300 Trustpilot reviews. We're not just an online storefront — we operate a physical showroom in Oak Park, Michigan, and we're happy to hop on FaceTime or a video call to show you any timepiece in hand before you buy. Every order ships fully insured via FedEx Hold for Pickup at your nearest FedEx location, so your watch is never left on a doorstep. Questions? Call or text 248-422-0909.

Do you buy and trade Paul Newman Daytonas?

Yes — we buy, sell, and trade both modern Paul Newman style Daytonas and vintage exotic-dial pieces. Start a quote on our Sell My Watch page, call or text 248-422-0909, or visit our Oak Park, Michigan showroom for an offer.

Complete Reference Index — Paul Newman Daytona

Vintage Exotic Dial References (1960s–1970s, 37mm, manual wind)
6239 — Steel bezel, pump pushers (the reference Paul Newman wore)
6241 — Black acrylic bezel, pump pushers
6262 — Steel bezel, pump pushers, Valjoux 727 (rarest)
6263 — Acrylic bezel, screw-down pushers (incl. “Oyster Sotto”)
6264 — Acrylic bezel, pump pushers
6265 — Steel bezel, screw-down pushers

Modern “Paul Newman” Yellow Gold Black Dial References (40mm, self-winding)
116528 — 18k Yellow Gold, Oyster bracelet
116508 — 18k Yellow Gold, Oyster bracelet
126508 — 18k Yellow Gold, Oyster bracelet (current)
126518LN — 18k Yellow Gold, Oysterflex bracelet (current)