TGR StaffMark your calendars for June 9, 2023, when Sotheby’s New York will conduct a live auction featuring two Rolex Daytona watches from the collection of the late Paul Newman, a renowned movie star, director, philanthropist, race car driver, and family man.
In 1995, Paul Newman made history by winning the 24 Hours of Daytona Race in the GT-1 class at the age of 70. He was gifted a special Rolex Daytona watch to commemorate this achievement, which features the inscription ‘Rolex at Daytona 24 Paul Newman Rolex Motorsports Man of the Year 1995.’ The watch bears the serial number S’498’728 and dates back to 1993, the same year other winners of Rolex 24 received their watches.
Although the watch still remains in the family, it was auctioned off for the first time in 1999 at the “Famous Faces” auction by Antiquorum and Tourneau, where it fetched $39,000. Paul Newman was known not only for his celebrity status and love of racing but also for his philanthropic efforts. He donated the proceeds from the auction to his charity, Hole in the Wall Gang.
In later years, Newman was spotted wearing the same watch. His friends and loved ones would often buy back his most cherished items, just to return them to him. This is a testament not only to Newman but also to those who surrounded him.
The other watch in the collection is a reference 116519, a white gold variant that features an inscription from Joanne Woodward, Newman’s wife. It reads “Drive Very Slowly Joanne” and serves as a reminder for Newman to keep his hands at 10 and 2 while driving on and off the racetrack. This watch is confirmed to be the only precious metal Daytona owned by Newman and was produced in 2006. He wore it during his final racing laps at Lime Rock Park on August 13, 2008.
Learn more about the upcoming auction at sothebys.com.
Images Courtesy of Sotheby’s
