{"id":76543,"date":"2023-05-08T15:00:01","date_gmt":"2023-05-08T15:00:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/?post_type=articles&p=76543"},"modified":"2023-05-08T15:17:48","modified_gmt":"2023-05-08T15:17:48","slug":"paul-newman-rolex-daytona-watches-auction","status":"publish","type":"articles","link":"https:\/\/graziamagazine.com\/us\/articles\/paul-newman-rolex-daytona-watches-auction\/","title":{"rendered":"2 Historic Rolex Daytona Watches Worn by Paul Newman Are Going Up for Auction"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Courtesy of Jonathan Ferrey, Getty Images – Paul Newman after winning the Champ Car World Series Grand Premio Tecate on November 11, 2007 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez in Mexico City<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Rolex Daytona watches have become one of the most sought-after in the horological world<\/a> thanks to the style\u2019s first fan, Paul Newman. When the actor, director and philanthropist began his race car driving career, he wore the not-so-popular Daytona model as a precision instrument to time laps and it turned into a good luck charm. Rolex \u201cPaul Newman Daytona\u201d watches are now a coveted vintage model, but even rarer are Daytonas worn by Newman himself. One hit a record-setting price in 2017 for $17.8 million, and next month, two more Rolex Daytona watches worn by Newman will be put up for auction.<\/a><\/p>\n

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Courtesy of Lime Rock Park – Paul Newman pictured at Lime Rock Park on September 28, 2007<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

The reference 16520 Zenith 1993 Daytona was presented to Newman after his team won the GTS-1 class at the 1995 24 Hours of Daytona Race \u2014 and he became the oldest driver to ever win at 70 years old. He auctioned off the watch in 1999 and gave the proceeds to charity, but he was seen years later wearing it again, prompting many to believe he or someone else bought it back. The 116519 Daytona from 2006 was the last Daytona ever gifted to Newman by his wife, Joanne Woodward, and it includes the engraved note, \u201cDrive Very Slowly Joanne.\u201d He wore it when he drove his final laps in 2008. Both are estimated to sell for $500,000 – $1 million apiece.<\/p>\n

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Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 was given to Newman for winning the Man of the Year award at the 24 Hours of Daytona Race in 1995. The Rolex Daytona ref. 116519 was the last watch gifted by wife Joanne Woodward with the inscription, “Drive Very Slowly Joanne.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cWatches were Paul Newman\u2019s faithful companions throughout his life, especially during his celebrated racing career,\u201d Leigh Safar, Sotheby\u2019s Head of Important Watches, NY tells GRAZIA Gazette: Formula 1<\/em>. \u201cWhat\u2019s so fascinating about his relationship with watches is that he didn\u2019t wear them out of vanity or for what they might be worth, but used them purely based on their primary function\u2014and in his case as a racecar driver, as a precision instrument to time laps around the track. It\u2019s an extraordinary opportunity to present these two horological treasures that are imbued with sentimental and historical value imparting from pinnacle moments in Newman\u2019s illustrious racing career.\u201d<\/p>\n

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Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 was given to Newman for winning the Man of the Year award at the 24 Hours of Daytona Race in 1995. The Rolex Daytona ref. 116519 was the last watch gifted by wife Joanne Woodward with the inscription, “Drive Very Slowly Joanne.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 was given to Newman for winning the Man of the Year award at the 24 Hours of Daytona Race in 1995. The Rolex Daytona ref. 116519 was the last watch gifted by wife Joanne Woodward with the inscription, “Drive Very Slowly Joanne.”<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

After the watches travel in exhibitions in Hong Kong, Los Angeles and Geneva, they will go on sale in New York City during Sotheby\u2019s Important Watches<\/a> auction on June 9. 300 other items from Newman and Woodward\u2019s estate<\/a> will also be auctioned in June.<\/p>\n

Read the new GRAZIA Gazette: F1<\/em> edition:<\/strong><\/p>\n

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