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
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.
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.
TrendsMar 03, 2026
Amanda’s Style File: AquatopiaThese aquamarine jewels channel the calming energy of the March birthstone.
Weekly QuizFeb 26, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
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.
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.
SurveysMar 02, 2026
Consumer Confidence Edges Up in FebruaryConsumers were somewhat less worried about the future, though concerns about rising prices and politics remained.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JVC to Honor Rebecca Foerster at Annual LuncheonFoerster is this year’s Stanley Schechter Award recipient.
Events & AwardsMar 02, 2026
JFC Names 2026 ‘Facets’ Honorees Sponsorships and tickets to the annual fundraising event, set for May 31, are available now.
CrimeFeb 27, 2026
Man Charged in Murders of Father, Son Jewelers in ChicagoChicago police and members of the U.S. Marshals Service tracked down the 35-year-old suspect earlier this week in St. Louis.
SourcingFeb 27, 2026
South African Diamond Mine Closes Amid Search for Missing WorkersOwners of the Ekapa Mine reportedly filed for liquidation about a week after a mudslide trapped five workers who have yet to be found.
MajorsFeb 27, 2026
Jewelers Mutual to Donate $10M to Savannah College of Art and DesignA 10-year alliance has also begun to address the shortage of bench jewelers through scholarships, enhanced programs, and updated equipment.
CollectionsFeb 27, 2026
Renato Cipullo Turns Gold into HardstonesThe “Splendente” collection has evolved to feature hardstone letter pendants, including our Piece of the Week, the onyx “R.”
SourcingFeb 26, 2026
Anglo American CEO Gives Insight Into De Beers SaleThe update came as Anglo took its third write-down on the diamond miner and marketer, which lost more than $500 million in 2025.
ColumnistsFeb 26, 2026
Practical Ways Jewelers Can Leverage AI in 2026Emmanuel Raheb discusses the rise of “GEO” and the importance of having well-written, quality content on your website.
CrimeFeb 26, 2026
Three Sentenced in California Jewelry HeistEach received around four years for burglarizing a jewelry store and a coffee shop in Simi Valley, California, last May.
Events & AwardsFeb 26, 2026
GIA Names 2026 Jewelry Design Contest Winner, Retires Annual AwardCatherine Aulick, a GIA graduate, received the ninth and final Gianmaria Buccellati Foundation Award for Excellence in Jewelry Design.
TrendsFeb 25, 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.
EditorsFeb 25, 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.”
PodcastsFeb 25, 2026
Episode 2: Jewelry Trends & Does the Red Carpet Matter?Are arm bands poised to make a comeback? Has red-carpet jewelry become boring? Find out on the second episode of the “My Next Question” podcast.
WatchesFeb 25, 2026
Private Equity Firms Write Down Value of Breitling, Report SaysThe Swiss watchmaker is battling declining sales amid a rapid retail expansion, according to a Financial Times report.
CollectionsFeb 25, 2026
Rahaminov Diamonds’ New Campaign Honors Its MatriarchThe campaign celebrates Giustina Pavanello Rahaminov, the co-founder’s wife and matriarch of the family-owned brand, for her 88th birthday.
IndependentsFeb 25, 2026
Borsheims Names 2025 ‘Ike-It’ Award WinnerRachel Bennett, a senior jeweler who has been with Borsheims since 2004, earned the award.
Policies & IssuesFeb 24, 2026
IEEPA Tariffs Terminated, New 10% Tariff Already ImposedAfter the Supreme Court struck down the IEEPA tariffs, President Trump imposed a 10 percent tax on almost all imports via a different law.
IndependentsFeb 24, 2026
Sherry Smith Now Principal Partner at The Retail SmithsThe industry veteran, who was with The Edge Retail Academy for 14 years, joins her husband at the company he founded in 2022.
