An incredibly rare Rolex Daytona Paul Newman ref. 6264 “John Player Special” timepiece has sold at Sotheby’s for £1,215,000 (or $1,545,723). setting a new record price for a watch sold online.
Many watch enthusiasts find the Rolex John Player Special one of Rolex Daytona ‘s rarest and most coveted iterations. It takes its title from the livery found on Lotus Formula One team cars in the ’70s. The configuration ref. 6264 is the result of a number of converging rarity degrees, and only a few are known to exist.
Although many models of this watch were made of stainless steel, according to Sotheby’s, only ten are considered to be 18-karat gold. It matches another unusual element, a black Paul Newman button.
The piece sold in Sotheby’s online single-lot auction, which ran from July 24-31 for a week. It received 17 offers for its record-breaking winning bid.
Not only is this the highest amount paid for a watch in an online auction, it marks the new record price for a sold Daytona John Player Special, and it also sets the record for a UK auctioned wristwatch.
