Two of Paul Newman’s Personal Rolex Watches Are Going Up for Auction in June
Estimated to fetch up to $1 million USD each.
Following the news of Sotheby’s announcing The World of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman, a series of sales featuring the Hollywood Golden couple’s personal collections. Now, the auction house has revealed that two of Paul Newman’s personal Rolex Daytona time-tellers will headline its upcoming Important Watches auction.
Vintage watch aficionados can attest to the highly coveted Paul Newman Daytona models, but it’s even rarer to see the Hollywood legend’s pre-owned Daytonas being made available in an auction. The two headliners are the 16520 and 116519, both of which carry incredible historical and sentimental values.
Presented to Newman upon his victory at the 1995 Champ Car World Series Grand Premio Tecate, the reference 16520 Zenith Daytona is estimated to sell for $500,000 – $1 million USD. Arriving in a stainless steel build, with a white dial, the timepiece is believed to be crafted circa 1993. One of its most noteworthy features can be observed on its caseback in the form of a special inscription that read, “Rolex at Daytona 24 Paul Newman Rolex Motorsports Man of the Year 1995”
Another of Newman’s personal timepieces with unique sentimental value, the reference 116519 is said to be the last-ever Daytona gifted to him by his wife, Joanne Woodward. The black-dialed, white gold watch is also said to be the only precious metal iteration of the model in Newman’s collection. In addition, a message can be located on its engraved caseback, reading “Drive Very Slowly Joanne.” Leigh Safar, Sotheby’s New York’s Head of Sale for Important Watches elaborates that “There is a bit of Hollywood magic that stirs in our minds when we picture a movie star-turned-race car driver, speeding around a track with a love letter hidden from plain sight tucked behind his wristwatch.”
Both watches are estimated to fetch between $500,000 – $1 million USD each at Sotheby’s New York’s Important Watches auction, which will take place on June 9, 10 a.m. EDT. For more information, head over to Sotheby’s dedicated page for the sale.
In case you missed it, Bremont celebrates the coronation of King Charles III with a limited-edition commemorative timepiece.
