Rolex
"Paul Newman" Daytona Lemon Dial

When faced with a perfect condition lemon dial Paul Newman Daytona (PND) 6264 such as this, one needs not add to the ample conversation of probably the most famous watch set of all time – historians and watch publications almost to complete satisfaction have done this work for us.

Instead we will look at what makes this particular reference 6264 such an important part of the Daytona collection history.

This version of the yellow gold 6264 had a short three-year production (1969-1972), signifying a transition between the earlier 6262 and later 6263 and 6265. The previous 6262 had an even shorter production run of one year in 1969-1970, and shared the pump pushers with the 6264. The later 6263 and 6265 embodied the Oyster case and screw-down pushers.

In the decade leading up to 2013 there was nearly a 981% increase in value across the board in PNDs at public auction (Twelve Journal), but the majority of auction pieces before those records were set around stainless steel versions and went under the hammer for less than six figures USD. The numbers have grown healthily since, with multiple examples of the steel versions appearing.

The yellow gold models were produced in fewer numbers than the steel models and an even more unseen variety is this lemon dial. The features that make this a lemon dial 6264 include: pump pushers; square chronograph register markers; an outer seconds track contrasting the main dial and matching the sub-dials; white sub-dial hashes/squares; and an exotic cream or ‘lemon’ main dial colour.

Usually, PNDs have sub-dial writing in the same colour as the main dial colour, but here in this ultra rare 6264 the sub dial markers are painted in white, contrasting both the black and cream dial colour completely.

Another feature that distinguishes this dial is the Daytona writing above the lower chronograph register, which is only occasionally seen in the 6263s and never seen in any other tropical dial gold PNDs with pump pushers.

According to Revolution Magazine in 2017, only four 6264s are known of on the market, making this the fifth and it’s first to market appearance.

This piece has been beautifully preserved with all features in excellent condition. There are a few minor marks to lugs commensurate with age but the case retains its original profiles. There is some tarnishing to the yellow gold as the watch has not been worn for a number of years. The dial colour and pump pusher combination is really what makes this PND so special. This was known as an exotic dial, and was only used by Rolex in a few of the gold Daytona references at the end of the 1960s before the Oyster case was introduced with screw down crowns.

The watch comes with a period Rolex box, and on a solid gold, riveted bracelet with ref.71 end links.