Rolex Revives ‘Paul Newman’ Dial On Special 24 Hours Of Le Mans Daytona

The famous Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona is back – in a way. Rolex made a surprising launch over the weekend: a special-edition Daytona that celebrates the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, and its design is similar to a model distinctive for its squared lollipop hash marks on the subdials. It was made in very small quantities in six references between 1963 and 1987, all hot collector’s item today, and it was dubbed the “Paul Newman” Daytona because it was the style authentically worn by the actor. The most outstanding example of it is a model owned by Newman, which sold at a Phillips auction in 2017 for $17.8-million.

The new Le Mans Special edition is similar, with nine square lollipop hash marks on the subdials, but with addition of small index markers between them. Also, instead of the hour totalizer counting 3, 6, 9 and 12, it counts 6, 12, 18 and 24, reflecting the fact that the new movement, caliber 4132, counts the chronograph hours over 24 hours instead of the model’s usual 12 (with caliber 4131). This capability is made possible by means of an additional, patented mechanism that Rolex calls a gear reduction system, which in technical terms is called an epicyclic reducer. It essentially halves the rotational speed of the gear train that turns the 24-hour hand. The hour subdial is positioned at 9 o’clock, compared to 6 o’clock on the original, and while the original had contrasting hands on the subdials, the new one has white hands on a white backdrop. Also, the font is different.

The new watch, which celebrates the centenary of the Le Mans race, is 18k white gold with a black Cerachrom (ceramic) bezel. On the tachymeter scale, the number 100 is etched in red ceramic. The case is open at the back, rare for Rolex, showing the new movement. It incorporates the Chronergy escapement and Paraflex shock absorbers, and features new finishes and decorations, including bridges embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, the brand’s reinterpretation of a well-known decoration in watchmaking, with the addition of a slight polished groove between each band. The cut-out oscillating weight is 18k yellow gold. The watch comes with a full gold Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock safety clasp with the Easylink comfort extension link, which allows the wearer to adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5mm.

Rolex has supported the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001 as the Official Timepiece. At the race over the weekend, Tom Kristensen, who with nine victories is the race’s most decorated driver, was present in the role of ambassador for the event’s centenary edition. Discussing the race’s legacy, he said: “You only realize the magnitude of Le Mans when you reflect on the past 100 years. There have been so many evolutions and revolutions, fantastic triumphs and tribulations, so it is truly mythical in that sense.”