WatchesApr 04, 2023
Here’s Everything New Rolex Has to Offer in 2023AuctionsApr 12, 2023
2 More of Newman’s Own Rolex Watches Head to Auction
Paul Newman’s Rolex Ref. 16520 “Zenith” Daytona and a Rolex Ref. 116519 Daytona will go up for auction June 9 at Sotheby’s.
Actor and watch collector Paul Newman’s Rolex “Zenith” Daytona, left, and another Daytona that was a gift from wife Joanne Woodward are the highlights of Sotheby’s upcoming “Important Watches” auction.
New York—Two more Rolex watches that belonged to film icon, racecar driver and watch enthusiast Paul Newman will go up for auction this spring at Sotheby’s, the auction house announced late last month.
A Rolex Ref. 16520 “Zenith” Daytona and a Rolex Ref. 116519 Daytona will hit the auction block June 9 in New York as the headlining lots of Sotheby’s “Important Watches” auction.
Newman received the Zenith Daytona in 1995 when, at age 70, he became the oldest driver to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona, a 24-hour endurance race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
A Rolex Ref. 16520 “Zenith” Daytona and a Rolex Ref. 116519 Daytona will hit the auction block June 9 in New York as the headlining lots of Sotheby’s “Important Watches” auction.
Newman received the Zenith Daytona in 1995 when, at age 70, he became the oldest driver to win the Rolex 24 at Daytona, a 24-hour endurance race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Paul Newman’s Rolex Ref. 16520 “Zenith” Daytona is an automatic chronograph in stainless steel with a bracelet. It was made by Rolex in 1993.
He received the watch when he won the 24 Hours of Daytona race in 1995 and was named Rolex Motorsports “Man of the Year.”
The Oscar winner and champion racer put the watch up for auction at Antiquorum in 1999, where it sold for $39,000, money that went to Newman’s charity, The Hole in the Wall Gang.
However, Sotheby’s said, Newman was seen wearing the watch later in life, leading to speculation that a member of his family bought it back for him at some point.
The Ref. 116519 Daytona, meanwhile, was a gift from Newman’s wife and fellow Oscar-winning actor Joanne Woodward, the last of three she gave to him during the course of their relationship.
Newman wore the circa 2006 watch later in life, including on Aug. 13, 2008, when he took his last lap as a racecar driver, circling Lime Rock Park in Salisbury, Connecticut.
He died about a month later at 83.
A gift from wife Joanne Woodward, Newman’s Ref. 116519 Daytona is an 18-karat white gold automatic chronograph with a black dial from 2006. It is the only precious metal Daytona the actor ever owned, Sotheby’s said.
Woodward had this message inscribed on the caseback.
As she did with Newman’s own “Paul Newman Daytona,” which sold for a record-setting $17.8 million in 2017, Woodward had a loving note of caution inscribed on the back of this Rolex, too.
“Drive very slowly,” it reads.
While both watches being offered this spring at Sotheby’s are Rolex Daytonas owned by Paul Newman, neither one is a “Paul Newman Daytona,” a term applied to six specific references with “exotic” dials, starting with the Ref. 6239.
The pre-sale estimate for both is $500,000 to $1 million.
While the timepieces will headline Sotheby’s “Important Watches” auction, they are being sold against the backdrop of a series of dedicated sales of personal items that belonged to Newman, who died in 2008, and Woodward, who is 93 and has been suffering from Alzheimer’s disease for the last 16 years.
“The World of Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman” auctions will take place both in person and online in June and feature more than 300 individual items including film memorabilia, family photographs and antique furniture, as well as Woodward’s wedding dress and ring.
Sotheby’s said the sales will “closely trail” the events of their lives as told in “The Last Movie Stars,” the Ethan Hawke-helmed six-part documentary series about the couple that first aired on HBOMax last summer.
“Paul Newman is a name in the world of horology that has withstood the test of time. Newman cemented his legacy with watch collectors through his influence on Rolex’s most sought-after model, the Daytona,” Sotheby’s watch specialist Leigh Safar said.
As Rolex celebrates 60 years of the Daytona this year, we are proud to share in that milestone and present two models worn and owned by the Hollywood legend, which narrates the everlasting love he shared with his wife, Joanne, and his deep passion for racing. We are grateful to the Woodward Newman family for choosing Sotheby’s to present their parents’ collection to the world, with these watches standing as one of the most coveted and highly prized in the world.”
Sotheby’s officially unveiled and exhibited Newman’s Rolex Daytona watches April 1-7 in Hong Kong, coinciding with events held to mark the auction house’s 50th anniversary in Asia.
There, the timepieces had some very valuable company. The 10.57-carat purplish-pink diamond expected to break jewelry auction records also was unveiled in Hong Kong as part of the anniversary festivities.
Newman’s Rolex Daytonas are set to make stops in Los Angeles and Geneva, among other locations, before arriving in New York ahead of Sotheby’s June 9 Important Watches auction.
More on Auctions
The Latest
IndependentsMay 09, 2025
Lugano Diamonds CEO Resigns Amid Internal InvestigationMoti Ferder stepped down Wednesday and will not receive any severance pay, parent company Compass Diversified said.
CollectionsMay 09, 2025
Pieces of the Week: Marie Lichtenberg’s Collaborations for Mother’s DayLichtenberg partnered with luxury platform Mytheresa on two designs honoring the connection between mothers and daughters.
SourcingMay 09, 2025
Gemfields Resumes Emerald Mining in ZambiaThe miner announced plans to recommence open-pit mining at Kagem.
Brought to you by
Las Vegas Antique Jewelry & Watch Show: Showcasing the Most Collectible Merchandise from Across the GlobeGain access to the most exclusive and coveted antique pieces from trusted dealers during Las Vegas Jewelry Week.
CrimeMay 08, 2025
Former NYC Jewelry Store Employee Arrested in 2017 Choking Death of Boss Michel Desalles allegedly murdered Omid Gholian inside World of Gold N Diamond using zip ties and then fled the country.
Weekly QuizMay 08, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsMay 08, 2025
5 ‘Superfine’ Met Gala Jewelry MomentsAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore shares her favorite looks from a night of style inspired by Black dandyism.
Supplier BulletinMay 08, 2025
Instappraise Introduces Game-Changing Trifold Appraisal FormatSponsored by Instappraise
Brought to you by
Watch: The Winston Red: GIA Examines the Smithsonian’s Newest AdditionSupplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
FinancialsMay 08, 2025
Brilliant Earth Notes an Uptick in Engagement Ring Sales in Q1CEO Beth Gerstein discussed the company’s bridal bestsellers, the potential impact of tariffs, and the rising price of gold.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Margot McKinney Lands in the U.S. With New BoutiqueThe brand’s first independent location outside of Australia has opened in Beverly Hills, California.
IndependentsMay 08, 2025
Verragio Announces New Regional Sales ManagerCathy Marsh will lead the jewelry company’s efforts in the upper Midwest and western United States.
FinancialsMay 07, 2025
Pandora Posts Strong Q1, Plans for TariffsThe company has multiple strategies for dealing with tariffs, though its CEO said moving manufacturing to the U.S. is not one of them.
ColumnistsMay 07, 2025
The Smart Lab: Building a Seasonal Marketing Strategy for Mother’s Day and BeyondConnecting with your customers throughout the year is key to a successful holiday marketing push.
SourcingMay 07, 2025
Gemfields Says Emerald Sales Improved in Latest AuctionIts commercial-quality emerald sale held last month totaled more than $16 million, up from about $11 million in September 2024.
TechnologyMay 07, 2025
Punchmark’s Latest Podcast Features a Very Special Guest National Jeweler Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff joined Michael Burpoe to talk tariffs, consumer confidence, and the sky-high price of gold.
Events & AwardsMay 06, 2025
Here’s Who Made Jewelers of America’s New ‘20 Under 40’ ListExpanded this year to include suppliers, JA’s 2025 list honors 40 up-and-coming professionals in the jewelry industry.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Sissy's Log Cabin Opens New StoreLocated in Fort Smith, it’s the Mid-South jeweler’s first store in Northwest Arkansas.
IndependentsMay 06, 2025
Gunderson’s Jewelers to Be Featured on ‘World’s Greatest’ TV SeriesThe episode about the family-owned jeweler will premiere May 17.
IndependentsMay 05, 2025
Zadok Jewelers Opens Store in AustinThe Houston-based jeweler’s new 11,000-square-foot showroom will include a Rolex boutique.
SourcingMay 05, 2025
Crater of Diamonds Yields 4-Carat Brown Diamond“The Duke Diamond” is the largest diamond registered at the Arkansas park so far this year.
TrendsMay 02, 2025
Ring Concierge, Kraft Partner on Mother’s Day Macaroni Necklace The childhood craft of making dried pasta necklaces for Mother’s Day is all grown up as the 14-karat gold “Forever Macaroni” necklace.
CollectionsMay 02, 2025
Piece of the Week: Angely Martinez’s Emerald Promise RingSet with May’s birthstone and featuring an earthworm, this ring is a perfect celebration of spring.
MajorsMay 02, 2025
Stuller’s New Bridal Catalog Is Here“Bridal 2025–2026” includes popular styles and a dedicated section for quick pricing references of lab-grown diamond bridal jewelry.
SourcingMay 01, 2025
Tariffs & Colored Gemstones: Relying on Stock, Considering the Ripple EffectThough currently paused, high tariffs threaten many countries where gemstones are mined. Dealers are taking measures now to prepare.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Peek Inside David Yurman’s New Miami Flagship StoreLocated in Miami’s Design District, the 4,000-square-foot store is an homage to David and Sybil Yurman’s artistic roots.
TrendsMay 01, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: 20 Pieces of Emerald Jewelry for MayMay babies are lucky indeed, born in a month awash with fresh colors and celebrated with one of the most coveted colored gemstones.
MajorsMay 01, 2025
Jewelers of America Opens Applications for 2025 ScholarshipsThe deadline to apply for the Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship is June 12.
