Christie's Auction House Rare Watches, Including The Property of Michael Schumacher sale this week in Geneva, Switzerland was filled with some magnificent Rolex watch models including a full set of Rolex 'Beach" Daytona models in white gold as see below.
Rolex made these beauties in the year 2000, under the tutelage of Patrick Heiniger, and and Christies offered all four of these watches individually, instead of as a complete set.
The 'Beach' Daytona models all feature beautiful mother of pearl dials, in mint green (CHF 70K), sky blue (CHF 75K), canary yellow (CHF 70K), and pretty pink (CHF 85K).
The white gold Daytona Beach models all included matching lizard skin straps with matching white gold deployment buckles.
Michael Schumacher's magnificent 1971 Paul Nemwman Rolex Daytona Reference 6262
Man & His Machines
Michael Schumacher is one of the greatest Formula 1 racing champions having won the Formula 1 World Championship seven-times. Schumacher was also a collector of some magnificent Rolex Daytona models and we see him pictured below in 1993 rocking his Zenith Rolex Daytona with a white dial.
Formula 1 Racing Legend, Michael Schumacher rocking his
stainless steel Daytona [Reference 16520] back in 1993
Michael Schumacher's Paul Newman Daytona, Reference 6262 is a STUNNINGLY BEAUTIFUL example of this rare Rolex Chronograph model, which was one of last to feature push-down chronograph pushers.
Update May 18, 2024: Several sources reached out to me to suggest there are a few details on this watch that are incorrect. Jose from Perezcope.com was the first to notice the irregularities on this watch and on an Instagram story commented: "OK, who sold this made up 6262 to Michael Schumacher? A 6262 with 300 bezel and a first generation Paul Newman dial? Seriously?". I asked Cameron Barr from Craft and Tailored and he said "Jose is correct. The bezel is too early and should be a BASE 50, and the dial is sing-a-song text which should be straight text."
Lot Essay from Christie's Auction House
This fantastic looking Paul Newman Daytona represents the synthesis of two great sporting icons – Rolex’s most recognizable and desired vintage steel chronograph, and its present owner, the former seven-times Formula 1 World Champion Michael Schumacher.
The present chronograph provides collectors with not only the opportunity to obtain one of the scarcest references of the Daytona, reference 6262, but also to own an example with incredible and direct provenance to one of the world’s greatest ever Formula 1 Champions.
Reference 6262
No other model of Rolex watch focuses so much attention as the manual-winding Rolex Cosmograph, its many dial variations and different references now so intensely sought after by collectors, it can be said quite unequivocally to be the most desirable vintage watch in the world.
Requiring almost no introduction, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches fitted with ‘Paul Newman’ dials have been, and continue to be, the most iconic and coveted of the Daytona.
One of the rarest vintage Rolex Daytonas, reference 6262 was in production for only a very short time between 1970 and 1972. Together with reference 6264, it was the last Rolex chronograph watch featuring the simple round push-down buttons. All future chronograph references, starting with references 6263 and 6265 in 1971 bear screw down chronograph buttons. Reference 6262 was available in stainless steel, as well as 14k and 18k gold. It has a polished metal bezel with engraved tachymeter graduation.
One More Thang!
Michael Schumacher also owned a yellow gold 1966 Rolex Daytona Reference Number 6241, which was also auctioned for CHF 220,000 by Christie's Auction House [Lot 138] in Geneva, and it came with an extra beautiful dial.
Lot Essay from Christie's Auction House
With the most incredible provenance, This incredible Daytona timepiece belonged to no other than seven-time Formula 1 World Champion racing driver Michael Schumacher, this extremely rare 14k gold Rolex reference 6241 is both a key piece for the serious Rolex collector and car enthusiasts alike.
The overall appeal of this 14k gold ref. 6241 is further enhanced by its very good overall condition and matching 14k gold riveted bracelet. The case retains full proportions and crisp gold mark, serial and reference numbers. It displays the traces of bluish oxidation to the case that are a typical indication that the watch has been carefully stored and not used in a very long time. The shade of the full gold reference 6239 bezel with engraved tachymeter scale perfectly matches the case.
It can therefore be assumed that this bezel must have been added a very long time ago to bestow a new aesthetic by replacing the original ref. 6241 bezel which, for this model is in gold with a black plastic insert. A further noteworthy fact is the designation ‘ROW’ engraved on the movement, confirming that the original destination for this watch was the North American market.
This is a fascinating art-deco style Rolex ad from May of 1929, which means it was published 95 years ago!!! It is interesting to note they refer to what we refer to today as a wristwatch, as a wristlet. This ad was obviously published after the advent of the Rolex Oyster, but before the Oyster Perpetual. Notice the art-deco cushion case in the bottom left looks similar to an early Panerai.
This weekend, Bill Maher had comedian Bill Burr on his Club Random show as a guest, and I couldn't help but notie that Bill Burr was rocking a two-tone Rolex RootBeer GMT-Master. Enjoy!!
Tommy Lasorda was a professional baseball pitcher and manager who famously managed the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1976 through 1996. Tommy Lasorda wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Day date as seen in the photos below. Lasorda passed away in January 2021 at age 93 and left behind an amazing list of achievements.
The Face & Soul of The Dodgers
"I Bleed Dodger Blue!"
Tommy Lasorda played for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1954-1955, and in 1956 move on to play for the Kansas City Athletics. The Dodger's moved from Brooklyn to Los Angles in 1957.
Tommy Lasorda became a coach for the Los Angeles Dodgers from 1973 to 1976, and then took over as their manager. Lasorda won two World Series Championships while serving as manager of The Dodgers.
As we can see in the photo above Tommy Lasorda wore a yellow gold Rolex Day-Date with a blue dial with diamond markers which matched his Los Angeles Dodgers uniform.
The Rolex China Sea Race is Asia’s oldest, most prestigious blue water race. Inaugurated in 1962, the biannual event is organized by the Royal Hong Kong Yacht Club and charts a 565-nautical mile (1,046 km) course from Victoria Harbour in Hong Kong to Subic Bay in the Philippines. In 2024, Happy Go became the first yacht in 14 years to take both line and overall honours, Nie Hua and his crew crossing the finish line in just over three days and 20 hours on corrected time. As part of its extensive support for yachting dating back almost 70 years, Rolex has partnered the race since 2008.
Rolex has always associated with activities driven by passion, excellence, precision and team spirit. The Swiss watchmaker naturally gravitated towards the elite world of yachting six decades ago and the brand’s enduring partnership now encompasses the most prestigious clubs, races and regattas, as well as towering figures in the sport, including ground-breaking round-the-world yachtsman Sir Francis Chichester and the most successful Olympic sailor of all time, Sir Ben Ainslie.
Today, Rolex is Title Sponsor of 15 major international events – from leading offshore races such as the annual Rolex Sydney Hobart Yacht Race and the biennial Rolex Fastnet Race, to grand prix competition at the Rolex TP52 World Championship and spectacular gatherings at the Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup and the Rolex Swan Cup.
It also supports the exciting SailGP global championship in which national teams race identical supercharged F50 catamarans on some of the world’s most famous harbours. Rolex’s partnerships with the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia, Royal Ocean Racing Club, Yacht Club Costa Smeralda, Yacht Club Italiano, New York Yacht Club and Royal Yacht Squadron, among others, are the foundation of its enduring relationship with this dynamic sport.
When I think of Caroline Kennedy, the term "America's First Daughter" pops into my head. I say this as she was a small girl, when she was in the White House with her legendary mother, Jackie, and father, JFK. In a way, Caroline is kind of like American royalty, and I think of her as being like a distant relative, kind of the way I used to think of Queen Elizabeth, in the sense that she was a fixture that was always there in our lives.
When I think of Rolex as a brand, I think of the word "classic". It's interesting to note that everything considered classic today, was once considered to be modern. When I think of any of the Kennedy family, including Caroline Kennedy, I also think of the word classic.
Caroline Kennedy is pictured below with her father, former U.S. President, John F. Kennedy and her Mother, Jackie Kennedy. Some of Caroline Kennedy's cousins wear Rolex watches, including Maria Shriver and Ted Kennedy Jr. Somebody once told me Bobby Kennedy also wore a Rolex Submariner, but I have never been able to find a photo of him wearing one? If you want to check out pictures of her brother, JFK Jr. wearing his Rolex Submariner, along with other Kennedy's rocking Rolex watches, click here.
Below is the first photo I am aware of that shows Caroline Kennedy wearing her two-tone Rolex Ladies Datejust. Her brother John F. Kennedy is sitting next to her. I am pretty certain this photo was taken close to a half-century ago at Andover Boarding School around 1975-1976.
The next photo seen below was taken four decades later, and Caroline Kennedy is still wearing the exact same Rolex Datejust. Caroline Kennedy is pictured below with then First Lady, Michelle Obama attending the 50th anniversary of the Whitehouse Historical Association. Caroline Kennedy is wearing her 34mm Ladies Rolex Two-Tone Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee Bracelet.
Speaking of classic, and Kennedy, below we see a video interview from 2017 of Caroline Kennedy with her son, who is JFK's grandson.
Summer is almost here in the United States, which conjures up images of beach fun, barbecue and some good old-fashioned country music, so I thought it would be fun to take a look back at Glen Campbell who passed away a seven years ago in 2017.
Legendary Country musician and former Beach Boy, Glenn Campbell passed away at age 81 in Nashville, Tennessee. Glenn had an amazing career that lasted more than a half century, and he wore a Rolex Day-Date to keep the time of his life. Glenn Campbell unfortunately developed Alzheimers toward the end of his life...
Glen Campbell is pictured below in 1969 wearing a watch that looks like Rolex Big Crown Submariner, but I have not been able to see enough detail to make a positive ID.
Glen Campbell is pictured below on the cover of his 1984 album titled, "Letter To Home".
On the album cover below for Glen Campbell's album titled Arkansas, which was released in 1975, we see him proudly sporting his Rolex Day-Date with a champagne dial.
Glenn Campbell's daughter, Ashley Campbell posted the photo below on her Facebook page just after her father passed away and said:
"Heartbroken. I owe him everything I am, and everything I ever will be. He will be remembered so well and with so much love." —Ashley Campbell
It appears in the photo above that Glenn Campbell's daughter, Ashley Campbell is wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date. Below we see a video of Ashley Campbell and her father Glen Campbell in 2012 playing Dueling Banjos, with Glen on guitar.
In the video below we see Glen Campbell and Roy Clark playing 'Ghost Riders In The Sky'. Glen Campbell and Roy Clark were to of the best country guitar players in history.
Beach Boys
1964-1965
Glen Campbell (pictured below on the left) toured with the Beach Boys in 1964 and replaced Brian Wilson.
Glen Campbell was a session guitarist for the Beach Boys, and he played on hits such as Fun, Fun, Fun, and Dance, Dance, Dance. He also played on Pet Sounds. Glenn Campbell is pictured below with Carl Wilson.
Glenn Campbell is pictured below on the far right with The Beach Boys.
Glenn Campbell was good friends with Elvis Presley, and is pictured below with Elvis and Pricilla Presley.
In the video below which originally aired on May 25, 1981, we see Glen Campbell performing one of his biggest hits, "Rhinestone Cowboy", and he is wearing his trademark Rolex Day-Date.
In the video below recorded live in Dublin on May 1, 1981 Glen Campbell covers David Loggins song "Please Come To Boston" which is an amazing song.
In the photo below, we see Glen Campbell on State with Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson, during performance by the Highwaymen.
I was talking to my good pal, Stan Barrett and he mentioned he read this Glen Campbell story and enjoyed it very much. He said he thought it was very thorough and comprehensive. Then he said, "But I think you left out a key video". I asked Stan which video that was, and he mentioned that it was the last song Glen Campbell recorded and it was called "I'm Not Gonna Miss You". Then Stan warned my and said, "If you watch the video it will probably make you cry." It did :-(
Stan Barrett also mentioned he once met Glen Campbell back in June of 1964, which was just before Glen joined the Beach Boys. He recalled that Glen Campbell was a really nice guy and mentioned that he recalled that Glen really began his career doing demos for songs.
I just discovered the video below which is amazing as we see Glen Campbell sing an acoustic version of Southern Nights, and notice he is wearing his yellow gold Day-Date.
I plan to continue covering Watches and Wonders until I have nothing left to say or share, so stay tuned for more insight, conjecture and opinion. Rolex FINALLY did it!!! They got rid of the Yacht-Master II—at Watches and Wonders 2024—which historically was my least favorite modern Rolex. Although there were some cool characteristics, like being the only other Rolex Chronograph beside the Daytona, I could just never get into the Yacht-Master II.
I would go so far as to say the Rolex Yacht-Master II, was the most un-Rolex, Rolex, in the sense it didn't really look like a Rolex. The Yacht-Master definitely had a sporty vibe, but I could never get used to how it said "YACHT-MASTER II" on the bezel, which seemed just plain silly to my way of thinking...Kind of like dudes back in the 1990s who would wear jackets with a yuuuugee red, white and blue, TOMMY HILFIGER logo running across the front of it, or even like MEMBERS ONLY jackets from the 1980s.
The Yacht-Master II was launched in the late Patrick Heiniger era, and alway kind of seemed out of place. It was designed to time sailing regattas, but the question is, 'Who times sailing regattas with a wrist watch!?!!' [Said with Seinfeld accent :-]
The only dude I can think of that I ever saw rocking the Yacht-Master II, and lookin good was Scott Eastwood, who is pictured below.
Historically Rolex has always been extremely secretive and discreet, and no journalists in the past have ever been invited "INSIDE ROLEX" to explore and report on all four Rolex Manufacturing faclities in Switzerland.
In November 2013, this changed when Rolex invited Jake to take an unprecdented journey into the heart of Rolex to learn and report on everything he witnessed and learned.
This Super-Detailed 3 Part Story is a "MUST READ" story for anybody who wants to understand what really makes Rolex tick.
