A 1967 Rolex Daytona Reference 6239 fetched CHF 1.143 million at a Geneva auction, eclipsing the CHF 600 thousand ceiling set by Phillips Auction.
The time‑worn instrument had lain undiscovered in a family drawer for over 45 years, passed from the original owner to his sisters before entering the auction house’s catalog.
Only 14,000 of the Reference 6239 were ever produced between 1963 and 1969, and merely 300 were fashioned in yellow gold. Of those, a mere ten have resurfaced with a Paul Newman‑style dial, making this particular watch one of the most coveted models in the Rolex collection.
The black dial with champagne registers is a hallmark of the Paul Newman aesthetic, a design that has driven collectors to bid aggressively in recent years.
Phillips’ spokesperson noted that the watch was in exceptional condition, its case, dial and movement all bearing official Rolex signatures. The buyer, an unnamed private collector, will receive the piece by early February.
The sale has already spurred speculation that the watch could command even higher prices on the secondary market, as interest in rare Daytona models continues to surge.