Rolex

If you don't know it yet, 2023 is the 60th anniversary of the Rolex Daytona. And coincidently to Nico's PN post today , I wrote this one, so here is a story about the Red Daytona:

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20 years ago, in mid 2003, 2 watches appeared in auction.

These watches were never known nor mentioned anywhere before that auction.

They were 6265 Daytona’s with two variants of red in Paul Newman version, one with black sub dials and the other with white.  

They were both sold for a hefty amount for the time, 450’000 and 415’000 CHF. 

The sudden appearance of the watches caused ignited discussions about their legitimacy and a few months later a 3rd watch "only" achieved 245’000 CHF in an auction.

Nicknames were attached to the watches as well, SPIRIT OF JAPAN and Ferrari….

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Are they legitimate?

IMO, they were not born nor left the factory in that configuration. I personally think its a   match of dials to a period correct watches. 

Maybe the dials were made for Rolex

Maybe made by the same dial makers and never left the workshop

Maybe a private initiative?

No one really knows and Rolex never shared .

But 3 watches, with “experimental” dials, with a gap of 5 years if you check the serial numbers? Thats not a Rolex thing. To me it's one indication of something I would not spend my money on. See yourself:

SERIAL 3961705 CIRCA 1975-1976

SERIAL  5523106 CIRCA 1978-1979

SERIAL  6047425 CIRCA 1979-1980

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We may never know the truth about the red ones, but 2023 will be interesting for Daytona lovers.

Maybe a red dial Daytona in Titanium? 🙂

What's your guess?