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- In 2017, a 1968 Rolex Daytona, once owned by actor Paul Newman, achieved a record-breaking sale price of $17.8 million at a Phillips auction in New York City.
- The Rolex Daytona, reference 6239, was gifted to Paul Newman by his wife, Joanne Woodward, in 1968 after he achieved his racing license.
- The watch's provenance - its documented ownership history - was meticulously established, adding to its value.
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the $17.8 Million Rolex Daytona: A Legacy of Paul Newman and Auction History
Table of Contents
Updated December 9, 2025, 19:43:14 EST
The Record-Breaking Sale
In 2017, a 1968 Rolex Daytona, once owned by actor Paul Newman, achieved a record-breaking sale price of $17.8 million at a Phillips auction in New York City. This figure dramatically exceeded pre-auction estimates, which, even accounting for the watch’s inherent value (approximately $100,000 without the celebrity connection), were significantly lower. The sale remains the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction.
The Watch and Its History
The Rolex Daytona, reference 6239, was gifted to Paul Newman by his wife, Joanne Woodward, in 1968 after he achieved his racing license. Newman was a passionate race car driver and the Daytona, designed for motorsports, became synonymous with his image. He frequently wore the watch during races and in photographs, solidifying its iconic status. The watch’s unique features, including an exotic dial, earned it the nickname “Paul Newman Daytona” among collectors, driving up demand for similar models.
The watch’s provenance – its documented ownership history – was meticulously established, adding to its value. phillips auction house provided detailed documentation tracing the watch’s journey from Newman’s ownership to its eventual sale. This clarity was crucial in attracting high bids from collectors worldwide.
the Perfect Storm: Product, Provenance, and Publicity
The unusual price achieved by the Paul Newman Daytona wasn’t simply about the watch itself. It was a confluence of factors:
- product: The Rolex Daytona is a highly sought-after vintage chronograph, known for its quality and design.
- Provenance: The direct association with Paul Newman, a beloved actor and racing enthusiast, dramatically increased its desirability.
- Publicity: Phillips orchestrated a comprehensive marketing campaign leading up to the auction, generating meaningful media coverage and attracting a global audience.
The auction itself became a cultural event, drawing attention from both the watch collecting community and the wider public. The bidding war was intense, ultimately culminating in the record-breaking sale.
Auction Details and Buyer
The auction took place on October 26, 2017, at Phillips in New York City as part of their “Winning Iconic Timepieces” sale phillips Auction Details. The winning bid of $17.75 million (plus buyer’s premium, bringing the total to $17.8 million) came from an anonymous telephone bidder. Later, it was revealed that the buyer was Patrick Dempsey, the actor and race car