My Grail - A Paul Newman ROLEX Daytona 6241

[oztimelord]

Finding my 'grail watch' has been far more of a personal journey of self discovery and experience rather than just going through a number of brand catalogues and finding ‘the one’. The other twist of expensive irony is that the definition of ‘grail watch’ changes as one matures as a collector. I’ve been lucky enough to have owned a number of brands over the last 4 years including; TAG Heuer, Franck Muller, JLC, Panerai, IWC and Audemars Piguet. With the exception of Rolex and Patek Philippe most of the other brands lost their appeal within months. The journey has been further complicated by my self-imposed rule of having to sell watch to buy another. I find that once my collection gets to 8-10 watches it becomes unmanageable, I DO like to actually wear and enjoy my watches.

So why a Rolex ‘Paul Newman’ dial Daytona? That is a difficult one to answer. I guess it was a combination of chance, luck and circumstance that got me here. Chance in the sense that I always admired the dial from afar. After I got the 6263 and the book ‘Rolex Daytona a legend is born’, my subliminal reverence for this watch really began. My trip to London allowed me to see one of these marvels first hand. The combination of the domed plexi-glass, the depth and contrast of the dial is truly majestic.



Original photo of my watch, artistic design courtesy of CROCO from the Rolex Forum.

The luck factor came in as I only wanted the original and best. Hence only a reference 6239 or 6241 would do. These are the only Paul Newman Daytona’s that actually came with these dials (and photos in Rolex catalogues) on all other references these dials were an added option. It also had to be original, absolutely no question about provenance or dispute about the dial.

Circumstance allowed me to finally convince someone to part with theirs.


I've had the Paul Newman Daytona for a few weeks and I still can't contain my joy and excitement. Each person has their own definition of a 'grail watch', to me it must posses the following characteristics:
- has instant attraction to the point that you have to get one
- gives you an undescribable and enchanting feeling
- was very hard to find
- was bought from a colleague that found it very difficult to part with
- needed careful study
- makes you smile everyday
and most importantly makes you lose interest in the majority of other watches.

Here are some initial pictures. You will notice that the tritium has darkened but I like to keep it in this original condition. The pics just don't do this watch any justice.









On the wrist.




Have a look at the 722-1 caliber, isn’t it just divine.



Making this fairy tale possible was a lot of research, patience, persistence and sacrifice. But isn’t that what a grail quest is meant to be all about. I just look at this watch and go WOW!

[oldrolex]

speachless......wow

[DAVIDSW]

very nice.....congrats and enjoy

[Rolexshirts]

So nice have the black on black daytona but the Paul Newman WOW very nice watch

[oztimelord]

Originally Posted by oldrolex

speachless......wow

So am I . Took some time to write a post to do this watch and my excitement any justice.

Still going bonkers

[kingblackbolt]

Now that is truly the definition of grail... that movement and dial is incredible! Congrats my friend and enjoy!

[GerardoG]

Woooof. That IS a beauty! WOW!!!

[hba]

Simply stunning !
congrats and enjoy in good health!

Herman

[sea-dweller]

That is my grail watch also. Congratulations !

[jamesw]

That's one fantastic Paul Newman. Congratulations.

[JediRolex]

What I would give to push the pushers!!!

[falken191504]

So are you going to have it serviced by Rolex?

[East Bay Rider]

Why oh why can't they make them look like that anymore. What a great watch. Enjoy.

[Duc-904]

Wonderful story! Thanks so much for sharing and wear that beauty in good health!

[bodybump]

We are not worthy!!!

[Dr.B]

Wow, I wish I could just grab it right off the screen....:-)
Congrats, it looks absolutely stunning.

[mretzloff]

Congrats! The movement looks beautiful.

[pepemaui]

Seriously, unbelievable. I cant stop touching the screen!

[the KING]

Are we in heaven???? LOL

[G.J]

The Rolex (IMHO of course)

[Chris B]

Brilliant post, truly awesome,


Thanks for sharing with us, many congratulations

[Spark]

That is BEAUTIFUL Rene!
I have wanted one for years, well done

[swatty]

Thats stunning Rene, what a great score

[RobbRock]

Awesome Congrats

[wytrader]

Completely in Awe... Very beautiful watch and what a classic.

[ArizonaHD]

Very nice watch, I think we are all wondering the same thing but no one wants to ask what did the watch ... umm well, you know..

[Loggins]

Wow, this is so amazing. Enjoy it, you've got one hell of a watch there!

[marke]

awesome time piece, sincere congrats......... please post even more pics i love it

marke

[gmtobsessed]

Rene, I told you before, I'm always speechless reading your thread

[padi56]

Very nice 6241 have you got the original bracelet too, myself got its older brother the 6263,its ironic some of the most expensive Rolex don't even have a Rolex movement.And many rate ETA Valjoux movement watches as second-class.So perhaps now its the high price these types of watches bring now in the market place.I wish they could make the modern day Daytona with dial like the 6241 or 6263 and the black bezel insert.Only then I could get excited with the new modern day Daytona. The in-house movement is great but just don't like the rest of the watch.

Rolex Daytona 6263 ETA Valjoux 72 Series.