Collecting
A ‘Holy Grail’ Watch Sets the Stage for High-Stakes Battle
Paul Newman’s own ”Paul Newman” Rolex is coming up for auction in October.
Actor Paul Newman''s Rolex Daytona reference 6239.
Photographer: Henry Leutwyler/Contour by Getty Images
Among vintage collectors, certain timepieces are known as holy grail watches. They’re the ones that inspire bidding frenzies and, subsequently, bragging rights.
So far, nothing tops a stainless-steel Patek Philippe that sold for $11.1 million at Phillips auction house in November. Patek produced only 281 of these 1941 wristwatches, mostly in gold; only four are known to have been made in stainless steel.