Time Bombs

Ten most significant watches of the 2010s

- Alvin Wong

ROLEX ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona (2017)

The perception of vintage watches was never quite the same again after the record-breaking sale of the legendary Rolex ‘Paul Newman’ Daytona Ref. 6293. Sold by mercurial auctioneer Aurel Bacs, the watch went under the hammer for a staggering US$17,752,500 in October 2017.

Given to Newman by his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, the iconic Daytona was fitted with what Rolex termed an ‘exotic’ dial. It was also the brand’s first chronograph with a tachymeter engraved on the bezel to measure speed – something Newman had come to love.

While filming the 1969 movie, Winning, where he played racecar driver Frank Capua, Newman developed a passion for motor racing. Following the production of the film, Woodward purchased the now-legendary Rolex for her husband and had it engraved with the words, ‘DRIVE CAREFULLY ME’, on the caseback. The Ref. 6239 that she bought (likely from Tiffany & Co.) featured Art Deco fonts on the sub-dials, with a red ‘Daytona’ label above the counter at six o’clock. In addition, the sub-dials bore hash marks with squares, distinguishing these dials from those of regular Daytonas.

Although Newman has owned many Daytonas in his lifetime, the Ref. 6239 was the first Daytona he wore, and the only one with an exotic dial. Without a doubt, it has also come to be the most famous in his collection and a holy grail for many watch collectors.

TUDOR Heritage Black Bay (2012)