John Player Special
Ultra-Rare Rolex for Sale
By DANNY CRIVELLO
The yellow-gold Rolex Daytona pictured above and below is being put on the market for the first time. A rare reference of the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman, one of the most desirable watches in the world, will be for sale at an auction in Italy on Nov. 30 at 5pm, Central European Time (11am EST).
The 1969 Rolex is being auctioned off by Pandolfini Casa d'Aste, a 90-year-old Italian auction house that mostly specializes in the sale of rare furnitures. Bidders can register and bid online through the auction's house app.
The watch for sale is a Rolex Daytona reference 6241 in 14kt yellow gold. This reference, which was nicknamed the John Player Special, is highly sought after, especially the 14kt version. Notice the "14k" engraved in the center picture below and the reference "6241" in the right picture.
The watch's nickname, John Player Special, was born as a result of the John Player Special cigarette brand's sponsorship of the Lotus Formula One driven by legendary F1 champion Ayrton Senna. Even today, this car is remembered as one of the finest Formula One cars ever made for its black and gold livery that gave it a look of particular elegance.
The 6241 was designed for the American market with the Paul Newman dial. Only 400 were made in the 14kt version. Below a page, in Italian, from the auction catalog.
The 6241 for sale on Nov. 30 has a well-preserved case, perfect condition dial and original 14kt gold bracelet, according to Pandolfini Casa d'Aste. The watch is estimated to reach between 140,000 and 180,000 Euros ($165,000 to $210,000), but most Pandolfini auctions have exceeded estimates. [UPDATE: the watch sold for 478,800 Euros, or $570,284.]
