Newman’s Own Rolex Daytonas Sell for $1.1M Each at Sotheby’s
Plus, a Patek Philippe Ref. 1518 “Pink-on-Pink” goes for $3.9 million at the “Important Watches” auction.
Sotheby’s said three bidders battled it out for four minutes for Newman’s Rolex Ref. 16520 “Zenith Daytona,” a stainless steel watch the Oscar-winning actor and race car driver received in 1995 after his team won the “Rolex 24 at Daytona,” a 24-hour endurance race held annually at the Daytona International Speedway in Florida.
At 70, he was the oldest driver to ever win the race, a record that stands today.
The winning bidder paid $1.1 million for the watch (including buyer’s premium), with the timepiece’s hammer price falling within its pre-sale estimated range of $500,000 to $1 million.
Four bidders were after another Rolex Daytona Newman owned, a Ref. 116519 that was a gift from his wife, Oscar-winner Joanne Woodward.
The circa 2006 white gold automatic chronograph with black dial was the last of three known Rolexes Woodward gave as gifts to her husband and was the only gold Daytona Newman ever owned, Sotheby’s said.
Like Newman’s record-setting Rolex that Phillips sold in 2017, the caseback features an inscription from his longtime love. It reads: “Drive Very Slowly Joanne,” and can be seen below.
The watch also sold for $1.1 million (including buyer’s premium) against a pre-sale estimate of $500,000 to $1.1 million.
Sotheby’s auctioned the two Rolexes alongside some of Newman’s racing memorabilia Friday, while additional items belonging to Newman and Woodward are up for auction in a sale that closes today.
“A Life & Legacy: The Joanne Woodward and Paul Newman Collection” includes furniture, clothing, photographs, artwork, film memorabilia, and even some jewelry.
In addition, RM Sotheby’s, a classic car auction house partly owned by Sotheby’s, is selling more of Newman’s racing memorabilia in a separate sale called “High Speed: Paul Newman’s Racing Legacy,” which started May 27 and runs through Tuesday.
The top lot of Sotheby’s Important Watches auction was a new-to-the-market Patek Philippe “Pink-on-Pink” Ref. 1518, a perpetual calendar chronograph in pink gold with a salmon pink gold dial.
Introduced in 1941, Patek Philippe made fewer than 300 Ref. 1518 watches and even fewer in pink gold. This watch is the 15th known to exist, Sotheby’s said.
The Important Watches sale marked its auction debut, as the timepiece had remained in the possession of its original owner since its purchase in 1947.
After a five-minute back-and-forth between two bidders, a private collector from Asia walked away with the pink Ref. 1518, paying $3.9 million (including buyer’s premium). The watch’s pre-sale estimated range was $2.5 million to $4.5 million.
It is the second highest price ever paid for a Pink-on-Pink, topped only by the December 2021 sale of the Pink-on-Pink from the estate of Prince Tewfik Tousson of Egypt, which sold for $9.6 million.
Overall, Sotheby’s Important Watches sale garnered $16.4 million, with 94 percent of lots sold.
To see the full results, visit the Sotheby’s website.
The Latest
Concerns about rising prices, politics, and global conflicts continue to dampen consumer outlook.
May’s birthstone is beloved for its rich green hue and its versatility.
Meet Ben Claus—grand prize winner of For the Love of Jewelers 2023 Fall Design Challenge.
Jacqui Larsson joins Opsydia with nearly two decades of experience in the industry.
Last month in Dallas, David Walton pushed another jeweler, David Ettinger, who later died.
The “Tiffany Céleste” collection reimagines designer Jean Schlumberger’s interpretations of the universe.
With Ho Brothers, you can unlock your brand's true potential and offer customers the personalized jewelry experiences they desire.
The brand also created a 100-carat lab-grown diamond necklace in honor of its centennial.
Tim Schlick has been promoted from his previous position as COO.
It’s the second year for the event, slated to take place in October in Toronto.
Supplier Spotlight Sponsored by GIA
Sales will be paused while the relocation takes place over the next few months.
“SIS x MISA Denim and Diamonds” is a collaboration between the designer and celebrity stylist Misa Hylton.
The retailer is moving to a newly designed space in the same shopping center.
Gifts that are unique and thoughtful are top of mind this year, according to the annual survey.
The necklace is featured in the brand’s “Rebel Heart” campaign starring Adam Levine and Behati Prinsloo.
The two organizations will host a joint event, “Converge,” in September 2025.
Big changes appear to be on the horizon for the diamond miner and its parent company, Anglo American.
Padis succeeds Lisa Bridge, marking the first time the organization has had two women board presidents in a row.
Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment, shared the “five Es” of building a fan base during his AGS Conclave keynote.
The Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar "John Mayer" was celebrated at a star-studded party in LA last week.
The announcement came as the company reported a 23 percent drop in production in Q1.
The three-time Pro Bowler continues to partner with the retailer, donating to a Detroit nonprofit and giving watches to fans.
A double-digit drop in the number of in-store crimes was offset by a jump in off-premises attacks, JSA’s 2023 crime report shows.
Inspired by the Roman goddess of love, the designer looked to the sea for her new collection.
The luxury titan posted declining sales, weighed down by Gucci’s poor performance.