Boat International – April 2018

http://www.boatinternational.com | April 2018

Time is

money

As an investment,

aRolexDaytona

isaracingcertainty,

saysSimondeBurton

O

pinionsvaryastowhatreallyisthemost

collectable watch, but few would argue

that the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

is a prime contender. This is especially so

following last October’s sale of an example that

oncebelongedtoHollywoodstarPaulNewman

forajaw-dropping$17.8million,makingitthe

world’s most expensive wristwatch.

That particular Reference 6239 model was

fitted with a rare type of dial that subsequently

becameknownasthe“PaulNewman”.Ithad

longbeenreveredincollectingcirclesandwas

largelyresponsibleforkick-startingthecult

of the Cosmograph Daytona, which first appeared

in 1963 as a chronograph sports watch called

simply the Cosmograph.

Such was its following among racing

driversandenthusiaststhatRolexUSAsoon

requestedthat“Daytona”beinscribedonthe

dialofAmericanmarketmodels,intributetothe

celebrated Daytona 500 motor race, which Rolex

hadbeeninvolvedwithsince1959.Thenamewas

subsequentlyextendedtoallCosmographsand

MODUPEOLA FADUGBA

Set Your Intention

The Togolese artist drew inspiration from

synchronised swimmers for these works on paper, to be

exhibitedatArtDubai(21to24March).gallery1957.com

MASSIMO VITALICarcavelos Pier

Large-scale prints of sunshine-filled, nostalgic

beachscenesbyItalianphotographerVitaliare

alltheencouragementweneedtoplanthe

next sea adventure.ronchinigallery.com

thewatchhasbeenpresentedtothewinnerofthe

24HoursofDaytonasincethemid-1960s.

Butwhiletheoriginal6239sroutinelysellfor

£100,000atauction,itisthemanyvariationsof

theCosmographDaytonathathavegiventhe

watch such exceptional appeal among collectors.

To mark the model’s 50th anniversary in

2013,Christie’sstagedRolexDaytonaLesson

One,asalefeaturing50examplesofthewatchin

diferentguises–fromthesimpleblackorwhite

subdials,topiecesdesignedwith“pulsometer”

scales,withgoldcases,withblue,redoryellow

dialsorsetwithdiamondsandgems.

On 12 May the sale’s organiser, world

renowned expert Aurel Bacs, will wield the gavel

forPhillipsinGenevaattheDaytonaUltimatum,

anauctionexpectedtocontainupto50ofthebest

preserved and most original examples of all the

important references made. With interest from

all corners of the globe, this sale might prove

conclusively that the Cosmograph Daytona really

isthemostcollectablewristwatchintheworld.

phillips.com

JULIAN OPIEChristine swimming 22

Nothing looks more appropriate on board than

this linear piece by British artist Opie, famed for

his works of public art displayed in cities all

around the globe.lissongallery.com

three of

the best:

art inspired

by water

The world’s most expensive wristwatch is a

Rolex Daytona once owned by Paul Newman

PHOTOGRAPHY: GETTY IMAGES

79