AuctionsAug 03, 2022
Elvis and Colonel Tom Parker’s ‘Lost’ Jewelry Coming to AuctionAuctionsAug 12, 2022
2 Rolexes Paul Newman Gave to Stuntman Stan Barrett Head to Auction
The sale also will include a third Rolex, with all three watches tied to Barrett’s 1979 attempt to break the world record for land speed.
PHOTO This stainless steel Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi” watch is one of three watches belonging to stuntman and racecar driver Stan Barrett set to go up for auction at Sotheby’s New York on Dec. 9. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
PHOTO Barrett’s good friend Paul Newman gave him this watch when Barrett tried to break—or broke, as some would argue—the world record for speed on land. Newman had the back engraved to mark his friend’s feat. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
PHOTO Newman also gave Barrett this stainless steel Ref. 6262 Rolex Daytona. Barrett was wearing both watches when he made his record attempt on Dec. 17, 1979. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
New York—Two Rolex watches Paul Newman gifted longtime friend Stan Barrett, a Hollywood stuntman who shared Newman’s passion for racing cars, are going up on the block later this year at Sotheby’s New York.
The watches, a stainless steel GMT-Master “Pepsi” and a stainless steel Ref. 6262 Daytona, are the timepieces Barrett wore on Dec. 17, 1979 when he drove the Budweiser Rocket Car in an attempt to become the first man to go faster than the speed of sound on land.
Racing across a dry lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, he was clocked at an estimated 739.66 mph but it did not go down as an official record because of malfunctioning radar scanners and the fact that no one heard a “sonic boom.”
As a stuntman in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Barrett worked with a lot of the big stars of the day including John Wayne and Burt Reynolds. He was Newman’s stunt double in 1971’s “Sometimes a Great Notion.”
The men’s friendship spanned 40 years (Newman is the godfather to both of Barrett’s sons), as they bonded over their love of cars, racing and adventure as well as, according to Sotheby’s, watches.
Sotheby’s estimates the GMT-Master with the Pepsi dial will sell for $50,000 to $100,000 while the estimate on the Daytona, $300,000 to $500,000, is much higher because it was Newman’s personal watch that he gave to Barrett.
Newman was known for gifting watches to family and friends, and he had the back of the Pepsi GMT he gave to Barrett engraved after his speed-record attempt. “STAN BARRETT 739 MPH MACH 1.0206 12-17-79,” it reads.
The watches, a stainless steel GMT-Master “Pepsi” and a stainless steel Ref. 6262 Daytona, are the timepieces Barrett wore on Dec. 17, 1979 when he drove the Budweiser Rocket Car in an attempt to become the first man to go faster than the speed of sound on land.
Racing across a dry lakebed at Edwards Air Force Base in California, he was clocked at an estimated 739.66 mph but it did not go down as an official record because of malfunctioning radar scanners and the fact that no one heard a “sonic boom.”
As a stuntman in the late 1960s and early 1970s, Barrett worked with a lot of the big stars of the day including John Wayne and Burt Reynolds. He was Newman’s stunt double in 1971’s “Sometimes a Great Notion.”
The men’s friendship spanned 40 years (Newman is the godfather to both of Barrett’s sons), as they bonded over their love of cars, racing and adventure as well as, according to Sotheby’s, watches.
Sotheby’s estimates the GMT-Master with the Pepsi dial will sell for $50,000 to $100,000 while the estimate on the Daytona, $300,000 to $500,000, is much higher because it was Newman’s personal watch that he gave to Barrett.
Newman was known for gifting watches to family and friends, and he had the back of the Pepsi GMT he gave to Barrett engraved after his speed-record attempt. “STAN BARRETT 739 MPH MACH 1.0206 12-17-79,” it reads.
Anheuser-Busch CEO August Busch gave Stan Barrett this yellow gold Rolex GMT Ref. 1675 for his world record attempt in the Budweiser Rocket Car. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Like Paul Newman, Busch had the back engraved on the Rolex he gifted Barrett. (Photo courtesy of Sotheby’s)
Stan Barrett wearing the two Rolexes from Paul Newman after his race in the Budweiser Rocket Car in 1979. (Photo courtesy of Stan Barrett via Sotheby’s)
Both estimates seem conservative considering the history of Newman-connected watches at auction.
In 2017, Newman’s own 1968 Ref. 6239 Cosmograph Daytona—the very model that became known among collectors as the “Paul Newman Daytona” in the 1980s—sold for a record-setting $17.8 million at auction.
The third Rolex included in the Sotheby’s sale, a yellow gold GMT Ref. 1675 (estimate $50,000 to $100,000), was a gift from Anheuser-Busch CEO August Busch.
Busch had “Stan Barrett – Driver – Budweiser Rocket Car 739.66MPH December 17 1979” engraved on the back.
“These three watches—personal gifts between friends and colleagues—carry more historical significance than just their benefactors,” said Jonathon Burford, Sotheby’s Watches Specialist. “Inextricably linked to a feat of human exploration, they represent a slice of American history itself and will no doubt appeal to watch connoisseurs and racing enthusiasts alike.”
The three watches will go on display for the first time from Aug. 17-20 in Monterey, California, coinciding with an auction there.
After that, the timepieces will make stops in Dubai, Hong Kong, Geneva and Los Angeles.
The watches will be the highlights of Sotheby’s Dec. 9 Important Watches auction in New York.
Now 79, Barrett became a philanthropist over the years, first working with Newman’s “The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp,” a camp for seriously ill children, and in more recent years dedicating his time to other children’s charities.
He will donate an unspecified portion of the sale’s proceeds to charitable causes.
Newman died in 2008 at age 83. More about his career as an actor, race car driver and philanthropist as well as his long marriage to fellow actor and Oscar winner Joanne Woodward can be seen in the documentary “The Last Movie Stars,” currently streaming on HBOMax.
More on Auctions
The Latest
TrendsMar 09, 2026
Jake Gyllenhaal Is Bulgari’s Latest AmbassadorBulgari named Gyllenhaal as its brand ambassador for his embodiment of artistic depth, intellectual curiosity, and warmth.
Events & AwardsMar 09, 2026
TJS Announces 2026 Scholarship WinnersAwards were given to four students, one apprentice, and an emerging jeweler.
GradingMar 06, 2026
Tom Moses Leaving GIA After Nearly 50 YearsMoses, who started at GIA’s Santa Monica lab in 1976, will leave the Gemological Institute of America in May.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Lab-GrownMar 06, 2026
Charles & Colvard Files for Bankruptcy, Citing Price PressuresIncreased competition, falling lab-grown diamond and moissanite prices, and the rising cost of gold took a toll on the moissanite maker.
Weekly QuizMar 05, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
CollectionsMar 06, 2026
Zome’s ‘Solara’ Earrings Embody Celestial BeautyThe earrings, our Piece of the Week, feature pink tourmalines as planets orbiting around an aquamarine center set in 18-karat rose gold.
MajorsMar 06, 2026
Pomellato’s 2026 IWD Campaign Spotlights Economic Abuse“The Price of Freedom” campaign video for International Women’s Day confronts the quiet violence of financial control.
Brought to you by
DCA Enters a New Chapter in Jewelry EducationWith refreshed branding, a new website, updated courses, and a pathway for growth, DCA is dedicated to supporting retail staff development.
Policies & IssuesMar 05, 2026
Tariffs to Increase to 15% This Week, Treasury Secretary Says Also, a federal judge has ordered that companies that paid tariffs implemented under the IEEPA are entitled to refunds.
CollectionsMar 05, 2026
Common Era Honors ‘Difficult Women’ in CollectionThe ever-growing collection, which just expanded with the addition of Olga of Kyiv, features cameos of 12 women from history.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Engagement Ring Trends 2026: What’s In, and WhyWe asked a jewelry historian, designer, bridal director, and wedding expert what’s trending in engagement rings. Here’s what they said.
Events & AwardsMar 05, 2026
AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker LineupThe annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
TrendsMar 05, 2026
Caitríona Balfe Fronts Only Natural Diamonds CoverThe “Outlander” star modeled for the digital cover of the magazine’s spring issue, which features a story on her relationship with jewelry.
MajorsMar 05, 2026
Registration Opens for CIBJO Centenary CongressThis year’s annual congress, which will mark the confederation’s 100th anniversary, will take place this fall in Italy.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
Michael M Opens First StoreBeverly Hills was chosen as the location for the brand’s first store, designed as a “private residence for modern monarchs.”
Policies & IssuesMar 04, 2026
Luxury Brands Temporarily Shutter Middle East StoresKering, Apple, and other retailers have reportedly temporarily closed stores in the Middle East region in light of the recent conflicts.
EditorsMar 04, 2026
Q&A: Brilliant Earth’s CEO on the New Beverly Hills StoreBeth Gerstein discusses the vibe of the new store, what customers want when fine jewelry shopping today, and the details of “Date Night.”
Events & AwardsMar 04, 2026
JIS Miami Spring Show to Feature New Gifts Pavilion, Pop-Up Trends TalksNearly half of buyers are prioritizing silver and fashion collections this season, organizers said.
TrendsMar 04, 2026
Spinelli Kilcollin Rides Free In Year of the Horse CampaignThe “Live Now. Polish Later.” campaign features equestrians wearing the brand’s jewels while galloping across the icy plains of Kazakhstan.
MajorsMar 04, 2026
LeachGarner Names New Brand DirectorThe precious metals provider has promoted Jennifer Ashworth to the role.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on March 13.
SourcingMar 03, 2026
7 Trends That Could Define the Diamond Industry’s FutureExperts from India weigh in the politics, policies, and market dynamics for diamantaires to monitor in 2026 and beyond.
MajorsMar 03, 2026
Swiss Refiner Completes Acquisition of Gannon & ScottThe American precious metals refiner’s day-to-day operations remain the same post-acquisition.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Events & AwardsMar 03, 2026
AGTA Adds Another New Category for SpectrumThe “Innovative Design” category and award will debut in the Spectrum division of this year’s AGTA Spectrum & Cutting Edge Awards.
EditorsMar 02, 2026
Jewelry at the Actor Awards: Reimagining Hollywood GlamourDiamond jewelry was the star of the event formerly known as the SAG Awards.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
