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
CollectionsApr 19, 2024
Piece of the Week: Retrouvaí’s Treasure NecklaceA new addition to the “Heirloom” collection, this one-of-a-kind piece features 32 custom-cut gemstones.
CrimeApr 19, 2024
Grand Jury to Hear Case Against Jeweler Charged in Fatal Shove Following IJO ShowLast month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
MajorsApr 19, 2024
Unique Designs Acquires China PearlThe move will allow the manufacturing company to offer a more “diverse and comprehensive” range of products.
Brought to you by
The Blueprint for Success in Scalable, Personalized Jewelry RetailWith Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
GradingApr 19, 2024
AGS Ideal Report Now Available in Printed FormFrom now through mid-May, GIA will be offering the reports at a 50 percent discount.
Weekly QuizApr 19, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
SourcingApr 18, 2024
Diamond Trade Remains Cautious Amid Economic UncertaintyDe Beers’ rough diamond sales were down 18 percent year-over-year in its latest round of sales.
Supplier BulletinApr 18, 2024
Discover History’s Hidden Gems at the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch ShowSponsored by the Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show
Brought to you by
How Jewelers of America Represents Your BusinessFor over 30 years, JA has advocated for the industry, fought against harmful legislation and backed measures that help jewelry businesses.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
Watch E-tailer Collectability Hires Kelly YochThe Patek Philippe expert will serve as personal curator for the brand-focused company.
WatchesApr 18, 2024
TAG Heuer Opens Its Largest Standalone Boutique at SeaThe 553-square-foot shop is aboard the Carnival Jubilee cruise ship.
Policies & IssuesApr 17, 2024
NDC Prevails in U.K. Case Over Lab-Grown Diamond AdvertisingNDC filed a complaint against Skydiamond for use of phrases like “diamonds made entirely from the sky.”
Events & AwardsApr 17, 2024
And the 2024 Winner of the Shipley Award Is … John Carter received the AGS’s highest honor Tuesday afternoon at Conclave in Austin, Texas.
FinancialsApr 17, 2024
LVMH’s Q1 Jewelry Sales Fall 5%LVMH said the company performed well despite an uncertain geopolitical and economic environment.
MajorsApr 17, 2024
Stuller’s B&D Opens New HeadquartersB&D Sales and Service held a ribbon-cutting event for its new location in Cranston, Rhode Island.
CollectionsApr 16, 2024
Akaila Reid Launches ‘Eat Cake’ CollectionIt’s ultra-feminine and filled with gold, pearls, and soft pastels.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Loudr Adds 2 DirectorsEmily Highet Morgan and Emily Bennett have joined the agency’s team.
MajorsApr 16, 2024
Stuller Releases First Lab-Grown Diamond Jewelry CatalogIts updated book for mountings is also now available.
SourcingApr 16, 2024
Karen Rentmeesters Takes Over as Interim CEO of AWDCShe has been with the organization since 2010, most recently serving as its chief officer of PR and industry relations.
TechnologyApr 15, 2024
Judge Rules Jeweler’s Lawsuit Against PNC Bank Can Move ForwardJoyce’s Jewelry sued the bank after cybercriminals drained its accounts of nearly $1.6 million through a series of wire transfers.
IndependentsApr 15, 2024
Alfred W. DeScenza of DeScenza Diamonds Dies at 95He is remembered by loved ones for his loyalty, integrity, and kindness.
Events & AwardsApr 15, 2024
10 Can’t-Miss Sessions at AGS Conclave 2024From lab-grown diamonds and AI to the inevitable Taylor Swift mention, here are some of Conclave’s most intriguing educational offerings.
Recorded WebinarsApr 12, 2024
Watch: What Jewelers Need to Know About InsuranceFrom cybersecurity liability to trade show coverage, insurance experts share tips on how to build the right policy.
CollectionsApr 12, 2024
Piece of the Week: Lionheart’s Evil Eye Gemstone CharmThe charm is a modern rendition of the evil eye amulet that has been worn for thousands of years.
Events & AwardsApr 12, 2024
The Jewelry Symposium Announces 4 Scholarship WinnersAhead of its trade show next month, TJS awarded free registration and accommodations to one jewelry professional and three students.
Policies & IssuesApr 11, 2024
SRK Exports’ Journey Toward Net Zero Impact By the end of this year, SRK’s diamond manufacturing complexes will achieve net zero emissions, one of an impressive array of achievements.
Lab-GrownApr 11, 2024
AGTA Bans Lab-Grown Diamonds, Gemstones at GemFairMembers can still sell lab-grown stones, it said, but only natural gems are allowed on the show floor.
IndependentsApr 11, 2024
Steven Rosdal, Co-Founder of Hyde Park Jewelers, Dies at 77He is remembered for his charisma, passion, integrity, kindness, and wit.
