Miranda
[PuristSPro Moderator]
5904
A collectors reminiscence of the Paul Newman Daytona
I saw and handled my first Newman in 1985! And it was new old stock, I know this because it was in the AD's window !! It was in Bristol,in a shop called Zales, (now long gone), and the manager was fantastic fella called Mark. I was just 17 years old, skint (that means no $$$), and loved watches. I wore a Roamer rotodate (which I still have)...it was automatic, when everyone thought a calculator Seiko/Casio was too cool. Sometimes i knicked (stole) my dad's Rado voyager, but only when he was not looking
or it was beats (no not music, a back hand slap )
I remember the watch well, I didn't know at the time, but it was a ref 6265 white PN. It was a whopping (large) amount of dough (money), over 900 knicker (pounds). I used to go in every saturday, if they were not busy, Mark let me try on all the Rolex's I could, but I always loved the 6265.Mark couldn't get why I liked it, they had it in the shop window for nearly 2 years. He advised me to when I could afford it, get a date just. They could not get enough of them! ( when the 16520 came in 1988/9 I was smitten, and it would be quite a few years before I came back to the PN).BTW he also if I remember correctly had a 1019! One day the watch disappeared,no he did not sell it, but head office shipped it out to another branch.
But I remember the dial well. It was a "stepped" dial. I will come on to this aspect more.
I landed (got) my first Newman in 1993, a 6239 white dial. This was soon sold and replaced by a 6241 back dial, then that was sold and in 95 I got myself a 6262 white (no red minute track). All these had stepped dials.
I was a regular at auctions, my first big auction was Ravenborg. Roger Lister kindly let me try on all the PN's. Of course all were stepped dial. In fact, for every ten Daytona's I saw there was probably about 1 Paul Newman. Most of the PN's I saw in the early 90's were actually gold. The fakes of course started to appear and as a result I decided to step away and my 6262 was sold. Although in 1999 I did tip my toe in again with a white 6265, although very briefly.
Why do I make such a point about step dials? well I never saw or heard of a non step dial until after the new millennium. So are they fake? I have no idea, I am not a Rolex "expert". That is precisely why I shy away from them, I am no expert. I only know what I know from experience going back over 25 years. But hey the VRF experts know way more
The Newman is one the most beautiful of all Rolex ever made in my opinion. I loved it before it was even called a Newman. I wish i could live with uncertainty that often comes with PN ownership, but I can not. A real shame, but love it I always will.
Here is some illustration I found on the web to show step dials.
Happy to credit pics, if they belong to you.
Best
Imran
This message has been edited by Miranda on 2015-11-02 12:38:15 This message has been edited by Miranda on 2015-11-02 12:44:31
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A collectors reminiscence of the Paul Newman Daytona
I saw and handled my first Newman in 1985! And it was new old stock, I know this because it was in the AD's window !! It was in Bristol,in a shop called Zales, (now long gone), and the manager was fantastic fella called Mark. I was just 17 years old, skin...
Very interesting post, Imran.
I am not a vintage rolex expert, either, and I am always afraid when I see a PN. But this record of yours is super interesting. Thanks for sharing your passion for the P.N and the road you took. Best, Nicolas
What a great poignant post
Your thoughts on the PN echo mine. Never dipped my toe in the water- too expensive and now too scared. It is probably the most subjective watch to buy. Different versions. different conditions way too subjective Julian PS I think they are still incredibly...
Thanks for sharing a part of your watch journey!
Always great to read how people got to the appreciation of watches and to desiring particular models. Great post!
Dont be afraid. its not as dangerous as u think.
With so many knowledgeable experts willing to help in provenance and hi def fotography to assist us. Its actually quite safe. TOP Dealers usually has money back guarentee on their pcs. I can honestly say the paulnewman gives me the greatest satisfaction o...
Nice post, Miranda
And yes, I can remember very well the first PN that I bought. Happily I still have it. Like you, i worry about the provenance of the PN in today's market. So-called experts providing new and supposedly pristine models. I love the watch. I really do. But d...
Great post Imran
I also remember the first time I saw a PN in the metal, the first time I handled one, etc... It was in a dealer's shop and the watch was worn by a very sharp dressed Italian gentleman. Since that day, it has simply been my favourite watch.
i think the auction houses should be safe?
I mean Christie's and Sotheby should provide a guarantee right? I have a more noble target watch, the 6263. is it safer? I don't aspire for the PN version, just the ordinary panda will do with the Big Daytona. I almost pull the trigger with one big dealer...
