Paul Newman’s Most Expensive Watches (Updated 2023)

There is no doubt that Paul Newman is one of the greatest actors of his time.

But did you know that aside from being a talented actor, he is also into car racing and collecting watches like Lewis Hamilton?

Yes! In fact, Paul Newman’s name became inseparably linked to the Daytona when his wife, Joanne Woodward, presented him with a Rolex Daytona when he took up racing in 1972.

Paul Newman Daytonas are highly desirable for watch collectors and are also considered some of the most expensive watches ever sold in an auction.

So, if you want to know more about these Rolex Daytonas and other timepieces worn by the legendary actor and philanthropist, continue reading our detailed review of Paul Newman’s watch collection.

What is Paul Newman’s Watch Collection Worth?

Watch Collection Worth:	$25.5+ million
Age:	83 years old (Deceased)
Born:	January 26, 1925
Gender:	Male
Height:	1.77 m (5 ft 9 in)
Country Of Origin:	USA
Source Of Wealth:	Actor
Last Update:	October 2023

The 5 Most Expensive Watches In Paul Newman’s Watch Collection

The below list of watches and values has been sourced from trusted sources around the internet by our fine luxury goods expert.

These are the 5 most expensive watches in Paul Newman’s collection:

#5. Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ – $35,000

Before we go to Paul Newman’s Daytona, let’s have a look at one of the most attractive Rolex watches, the Rolex ‘Pepsi’ GMT-Master.

Newman gave this vintage Rolex GMT-Master II to his friend, Stan Barrett, who was also a Hollywood stuntman and race car driver.

This timepiece features the iconic two-toned cerachrom bezel in a red and blue hue, which is why it is called the Rolex ‘Pepsi’ by the watch industry and community.

Paul Newman’s Rolex GMT-Master II is made of a stainless steel case and an Oyster bracelet with a black dial.

Although it is almost impossible for many of us to attain this specific watch, we can still buy a Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ in the secondary market for around $35,000.

#4. Rolex Daytona Ref. 116519 – $1.1 million

Next on our list is Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Ref. 116519. This is also the only white gold and last Daytona gifted to Paul Newman by his loving wife, Joanne Woodward, in 2006.

Newman wore this grail watch while driving his well-known final laps at Lime Rock Park one month before he passed away.

This white gold Daytona has an inscription on its solid caseback that reads, ‘Drive very slowly, Joanne’ and is also paired with a black alligator leather strap.

The white gold wristwatch was sold last June by the Sotheby auction house in New York for a staggering price of $1.1 million.

#3. Rolex ‘Zenith’ Daytona Ref. 16520 – $1.1 million

Sotheby Auction House sold two Rolex Daytonas last June, and one of these important watches, previously owned by Paul Newman, is the Rolex ‘Zenith’ Daytona Ref. 16520.

This Paul Newman Daytona was presented to him after his racing team won the 24 Hours of Daytona Race in Daytona Beach, Florida, in 1995. 

It features a stainless steel bezel, a pearly white dial, and a caseback that bears the inscription “Rolex at Daytona 24 Paul Newman Rolex Motorsports Man of the Year 1995”. 

Moreover, this Daytona series is also powered by the world-renowned Zenith El-Primero caliber 400.

It was first sold in an auction in 1999 for $39,000. But at some point after that sale, it was said that a close family member gave the Rolex ‘Zenith’ Daytona back to the actor. 

After 24 years, it was sold again for the price of $1.1 million.

#2. Rolex Daytona ‘Big Red’ Ref. 6263 – $5.5 million

Paul Newman’s Daytonas are some of the most expensive Rolexes in the watch world. And the Rolex Daytona Paul Newman Reference 6263, also known as the ‘Big Red,’ is one of the biggest hitters from his Daytona watches.

This timepiece is a watch gift from his wife in 1983. And like other watch presents that were given to him, its caseback has an engraved message that reads “Drive slowly, Joanne.”

It features a 37mm stainless steel case, a three-color dial, which is black, white, and red, a black acrylic bezel, and an Oyster bracelet.

The watch was later sold to Phillips Auction House by Newman’s daughter Clea, who acquired it as a gift from her father in 2008 before it passed away. 

And although it didn’t quite measure up in terms of the high-water mark set by our next watch, it was still sold for an impressive price of $5.5 million.

#1. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239 – $17.8 million

And for the most expensive timepiece inside Paul Newman’s watch collection, here is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239, the first watch given to him by his wife in the latter part of the 1960s.

The watch has an engraved message “DRIVE CAREFULLY ME” on its caseback to remind the actor to always drive safely. It also showcases a “Tri-color” white dial (instead of black dials) and unique characteristic markers in an Art Deco font.

Newman gave this watch to James Cox, a former boyfriend of his daughter, and has been missing from the public eye for a long time. 

But in October 2017, James Cox decided to sell the timepiece via Phillips auction house and announced that a large amount of the watch’s profit would be donated to the Nell Newman Foundation.

This legendary watch was auctioned in Philipps, New York, for an eye-popping price of $17.8 million and holds the record for the most expensive Rolex watch ever sold.

More Luxury Watches Owned By Paul Newman

Rolex Datejust Ref. 16200 – $6,000

Paul Newman was also spotted wearing a Rolex Datejust Ref. 16200 in his 1986 movie “The Color of Money.”

This 36mm Rolex Datejust features an ivory-colored dial, a smoothly polished bezel, and a stainless steel Jubilee bracelet. Moreover, it is also powered by an in-house self-winding movement.

Unlike Paul Newman Daytona watches, this model has a much more affordable price that can only cost you $6,000 in the secondary market.

Waltham Bathyscaphe Diver Watch by Blancpain – $3,000

Besides his Rolex watches, Newman also owns the Waltham Bathyscaphe Diver Watch by Blancpain. This watch can be seen on his wrist in the early part of his career when he is still not a fan of Daytona models.

This vintage timepiece has a 34mm case size, which is why it is called by many watch enthusiasts as the “Baby Blancpain.” And what we love about this watch is its glossy black dial and bakelite bezel.

There are still a few remaining watches like this in good condition sold in the pre-owned market for a very affordable price of $3,000.

Life Overview

Paul Leonard Newman, more commonly known as Paul Newman, is an American actor, race car driver, and philanthropist. He was born on January 26, 1925 in Cleveland Heights, Ohio.

Before starting his career as an actor, he served in the US Navy during World War II. And after the war had ended, he started acting in Broadway theater, where he first met his wife, Joanne Woodward. 

His first Hollywood film was Silver Chalice released in 1954. Since then, he slowly became one of the greatest actors of his time and soon won numerous accolades, including 6 Academy Awards and a career achievement Oscar award.

Some of his critically acclaimed films are The Hustler, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, Cool Hand Luke, and The Sting.

Paul Newman passed away on September 26, 2008.

Favorite Quotes From Paul Newman

Paul Newman also has some unforgettable quotes that match his remarkable career as an actor and philanthropist. These quotes reflect his wisdom, determination, and passion for his acting career and life itself.

1. If you don’t have enemies, you don’t have character. – Paul Newman

2. Acting isn’t really a creative profession. It’s an interpretative one. – Paul Newman

3. To be an actor you have to be a child. – Paul Newman

4. You only grow when you are alone. – Paul Newman

5. People stay married because they want to, not because the doors are locked. – Paul Newman

Frequently Asked Questions

Paul Newman Watch Collection – Summary

And there you have it! 

We hope you liked this list of expensive watches and appreciate the uniqueness of the timepiece collection owned by Paul Newman.

We hope to get our hands on an exclusive timepiece ourselves.

Here’s a quick recap of the 5 most expensive watches in Paul Newman’s collection:

#1. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239 – $17.8 million

#2. Rolex Daytona ‘Big Red’ Ref. 6263 – $5.5 million

#3. Rolex ‘Zenith’ Daytona Ref. 16520 – $1.1 million

#4. Rolex Daytona Ref. 116519 – $1.1 million

#5. Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’ – $35,000

And if you have questions, comments, or suggestions, please feel free to leave a message below!