Rolex Watch Nicknames You Need To Know

Perhaps the most well-known and coveted Daytona watches – not to mention one of the most expensive ever sold – is the “Paul Newman” Daytona. Named after movie star Paul Newman, who famously wore his Rolex Daytona ref. 6239 watch that was gifted from his wife both on and off screen. What sets the “Paul Newman” apart from other Daytonas is its unique “Exotic dial” which has since become known as the “Paul Newman dial”. Oddly enough, before this model of the Daytona was made famous by Paul Newman himself sometime in the 1970s, around the same time Newman began dabbling in the world of professional motorsports, this version of the watch with its distinct exotic dial was actually considered somewhat of a flop. Not until Paul Newman, who was doubly cool as a renowned actor who was also into racing cars, let some of his own star power rub off on the watch he favored so much that the “Paul Newman” Daytona started picking up speed and popularity of its own. This distinct “Paul Newman dial” features a unique art-deco font, sub-dial numerals, plus a small “step” in the dial between the outer minute track and the center of the dial. Some models even feature the color red for some added race-inspired aesthetic. Originally known only exclusively amongst watch enthusiasts, the “Paul Newman” has quickly became one of the most well-known and highly collectible Rolex timepieces – especially since 2017, when Paul Newman’s own “Paul Newman” Daytona sold for auction at a chilling $17.8 million – making it the most expensive Rolex watch ever sold.