Jeff..

Aug 11, 2010,01:31 AM
 


Awesome article. And thank you for posting it.

I guess there are a number of things that make the PN dial so appealing. First, the 1960s and 1970s was a time when Daytonas were not especially valued by watch enthusiasts, so not a popular watch. And then, very few of the Daytonas had the exotic dial requested....so it is a rare and unpopular watch in its time. However, as time has progressed, the appeal of the watch has risen. A bit like a Van Gogh!

I have to say that while i am a fan of all the references, the very first and possibly most basic Daytona, the 6239, remains my favourite. My favourite anecdote remains the time i was in a London Bond Street vintage dealer who saw my 6239 PN and asked if he could examine it under a microscope because he feared it was a forgery. Under normal circumstances, my heart may have started to jump a little as the dealer is an expert. But as ever, in vintage Rolex, one buys the seller of a watch as much as the watch itself...and the guy who sold me my 6239PN knew somewhat about Rolex...haha.
Anyway, the dealer took my watch and examined it carefully. He looked at me and said that he was wrong. The watch is genuine. I asked him why he had had suspicions. He said it was the most 100% perfect and clean dial he had ever seen. As though it had been made yesterday. It was too perfect!!!!

Yes, Jeff, the Paul Newman is a stunningly special watch. As i always say in issues like this.... there are many better watches....many cheaper and better watches...many more complicated and cheaper watches....many more stylish watches.....but....absolutely no other watch that is COOLER than a Daytona Paul Newman. It is CoolHand Luke Skywalker's lighsaber!

Great post Jeff...


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An In-Depth Review of the Paul Newman Daytona

 
 By: DrStrong : August 10th, 2010-23:51
The Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most iconic Rolex sportswatch and it is particularly collectable in the Paul Newman configuration. The Paul Newman dial – also called exotic dial by some collectors - was originally destined for the American market, wh...  

re: An In-Depth Review of the Paul Newman Daytona

 
 By: DRMW : August 11th, 2010-00:06
Hello DrStrong! What a wonderful review and pics, truly an iconic sports watch! -MW

Iconic indeed !

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:06
Thanks !...  

=D

 
 By: DRMW : August 12th, 2010-07:16

Thanks for the article DrStrong

 
 By: SJX : August 11th, 2010-01:00
Recently I have acquired a fascination with vintage Rolex though not acquired any vintage Rolex, yet. - SJX

So you are in potential trouble ;-) [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:07
No message body

Jeff..

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : August 11th, 2010-01:31
Awesome article. And thank you for posting it. I guess there are a number of things that make the PN dial so appealing. First, the 1960s and 1970s was a time when Daytonas were not especially valued by watch enthusiasts, so not a popular watch. And then, ... 

CoolHand Luke Skywalker's lighsaber

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:09
exactly...  

Thanks a lot Julian [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:10
No message body

Awesome chronograph

 
 By: chaser579 : August 11th, 2010-05:47
in the same class as the Speedy, El Primero, and Valjoux and Lemania chronos. Still yearning for a date display though, but that's what makes the Daytona unique. Thanks, and enjoy! =:^D

In other words, a classic ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:11
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Thanks for the education...

 
 By: respo : August 11th, 2010-08:57
and the eye candy. Congratulations on this beautiful Daytona. I really appreciate all of the information and history. respo

Thanks respo ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:14
No message body

great post

 
 By: Ryan5446 : August 11th, 2010-11:26
and a fantastic watch ! A Rolex icon

Thanks Steven ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:16
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Great review and info...

 
 By: ocwatching : August 11th, 2010-11:45
what a piece...just awesome... great photos...THANK YOU!

My pleasure ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:16
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A followup question

 
 By: tee530 : August 11th, 2010-11:56
Thanks Dr. Strong, for the informative review and photography. One question regarding the exotic dials: which one was actually on PN's personal watch? Was it the same as on your watch (red outer track and black subdials on white dial)? And did his watch h... 

Yes Tom...

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-02:19
Newman's watch had a 3 color white dial and a steel bezel, as you can see on this close up Yet, all the "exotic dial" Cosmographs are reffered to as PN's. Cheers Jef...  

Thanks for highlighting this iconic watch!

 
 By: luc00 : August 11th, 2010-13:06
it is fantastic and you can see how it influenced and inspired the watch world. Cheers. Luc

That's right Luc ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-04:16
No message body

thks fr the great post

 
 By: Hororgasm : August 11th, 2010-14:13
...  

The funny thing...

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-04:19
...is that Paul Newman did not wear a Daytona in that movie, but only in real life !...  

Thanks for the indept knowledge....

 
 By: EdwardL : August 11th, 2010-19:39
The more I learn the more the burning desire I have for this dream watch of mine. Greetings

Thanks!....

 
 By: Pete17 : August 11th, 2010-23:55
Thanks for sharing all your knowledge and great pics Jeff. You really ought to write a book on vintage watches. Very informative, great pics and an enjoyable read. Congrats! Cheers Pete

Thanks for the kind words Pete ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 12th, 2010-04:23
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Congratulations Jeff ...

 
 By: p@trice : August 12th, 2010-23:46
Awesome Paul Newman Daytona ! Here is a little pics taken during a small GTG my friend Best Patrice...  

Wonderful

 
 By: bobbyblack : August 13th, 2010-07:28
What a nice posting very enjoyable

Waouw...

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : August 13th, 2010-07:24
...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw...Waouw Your heading said it all: An in-Depth Review, what a blast, awesome pictures really good and interesti...  

Thanks for the enthusiastic comment...

 
 By: DrStrong : August 14th, 2010-02:11
...I really appreciate ! Some variations of PN dials are described in a previous post rolex.watchprosite.com

Have studied them in full :-)

 
 By: hans_jorgen_1968 : August 16th, 2010-13:30
Now I just have to get around for my personal PN Cheers Hans

A wonderful review

 
 By: Oztimelord : August 13th, 2010-15:49
Reviews like these make me appreciate my PN even more. Regards Rene

Thanks Rene ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : August 14th, 2010-01:42
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I've never realized...

 
 By: foversta : August 14th, 2010-12:00
that the watch has a very original design with the side view. Thanks a lot Jeff for the review ! Fr.Xavier

An iconic Rolex

 
 By: ED209 : August 15th, 2010-20:37
Thanks for the in-depth review of the Rolex PN Daytona. I never realized that vintage pieces have non-matching casebacks. Regards, ED-209

It's only true for Cosmographs..

 
 By: DrStrong : August 16th, 2010-23:23
...in some cases.

Great review....

 
 By: MiniCooper : August 17th, 2010-11:44
Interesting about the different number caseback.... Thanks Cheers

Fantastic post

 
 By: MattS : August 20th, 2010-10:36
Thanks Jeff, great post as usual!...more than iconic ...Cult! Matt

How could I miss it, Jeff?

 
 By: amanico : August 28th, 2010-23:43
Very comprehensive review of the Dayto PN, my friend. Which one do you prefer? Black on white, or white on black? Happy to see that you got another one, as you said it was a grail for you. Best, and thanks for this nice reading. Nicolas.

Thanks for a great report!

 
 By: blomman Mr Blue : August 29th, 2010-04:27
Really enjoying reading and looking at these great photos! A question; In the full set pic there is an extra bezel inlay. Was the PN sold with an extra or just added in the pic? Thanks for sharing, Jeff! Best Blomman

Belated congratualation on a great post.

 
 By: TdotBean : March 13th, 2012-02:36
I was watching Cars yesterday and suddenly it just reminded me this is the last Paul Newman movie and it's about racing. I have always resist the Daytona exotic dial but secretly admiring it. Just like the actor this watch cool. Not long ago. I was on to ...  

In a way I guess...thanks Tyler ! [nt]

 
 By: DrStrong : March 13th, 2012-02:39
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Great post!

 
 By: YASARGIL : March 14th, 2012-00:50
Thank you for share it!!! Best regards.