Most probably unique, this watch exhibits white Arabic-Indic numerals printed on the black dial. This watch was most certainly made upon special order, very likely for a member of the Middle Eastern royal family. Manufactured by Singer, this dial is made in accordance with all the production techniques and quality standards of the time. This chronograph is one of the timepieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

The watch is an early example of reference 6239. During the beginning of the model's production, Rolex experimented with various dial configuration. While earlier reference 6239s featured a small Daytona script below “Rolex Cosmograph”, Rolex also introduced a different dial configuration displaying a slightly larger “Daytona” font below “Cosmograph”. It was only much later that Rolex definitively printed the “Daytona” designation above the subsidiary register positioned at 6 o’clock. Furthermore, the subsidiary registers have aged to a particularly even and stunning tobacco brown tone. This watch is one of the timepieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

This yellow gold Rolex Daytona reference 6263 is particularly rare due to its 14K yellow gold livery, which was reserved for watches delivered to the American market. This example is fitted with a dial displaying the “Superlative Chronometer Oficially Certified” designation, which aside from referencing the COSC movement, floats beneath ‘Rolex Oyster’. This graphic layout gives way to a configuration referred to by collectors as ‘Oyster-Split’. Additionally, the ‘Oyster’ script appears smaller than ever seen before, making this dial one of the rarest variants. This trophy watch is one of the timepieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

A quintessential “Paul Newman” Daytona. His wife, Joanne Woodward, gifted this exact Daytona variant to her husband, engraved with the phrase “drive carefully me”. It is thanks to this particular design that exotic-dialed Cosmographs are now synonymous with the philanthropic icon. Sparking memories of Paul Newman’s “Paul Newman”, this model is one of the most iconic Daytonas ever produced. This chronograph is one of the timepieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

Originally sold in Sao Paulo, Brazil, this Daytona reference 6263 fits a dial that has turned from black to a harmonious and rich chocolate brown tone, contrasting against the white accents. This example has been preserved in almost untouched condition, with crisp edges and contrasting brushed and polished finishes. Even the case back retains part of its sticker, bearing ‘Brazil’, which most likely came from the retailer. It is one of the dream pieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

This reference 6263 features a custom dial with the UAE Quraysh Hawk. Made upon special request for Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Emir of Dubai in the mid 1970s. The UAE Quraysh Hawk emblem is emblazoned at 12 o’clock, with the Emir’s signature. Above 6 o’clock is the signature of the Wazarah Ad Difa’A department written in Arabic script. Furthermore, the counters have begun to tone down and now exhibit a dark cocoa tone. The watch’s rarity and appearance renders it the trophy piece for any discerning collector. In fact, it is one of the dream pieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

This stainless steel Daytona reference 6263 is fitted with a black “Paul Newman” dial featuring a the Oyster script positioned under the main graphics. In fact, the nickname “Oyster Sotto” stands for “Oyster Underneath” in Italian. Among the very first “Oyster Sotto” Cosmographs ever produced, the present example is classified as Mk 1. Moreover, it features a “small R” in Rolex, an ever so slightly slanted ‘H’ in “Cosmograph”, and the first generation ‘Millerighe’ pushers. This magnificent chronograph is one of the timepieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

Launched in approximately 1969, reference 6265 was produced alongside its sibling reference 6263. Already uncommon due to its ‘Oyster Split’ champagne soleil-finished dial, this reference 6265 is even rarer thanks to its ‘tropical’ subsidiary registers. Floating below the “Rolex Oyster” script, the “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” designation references the new chronometer certified movement. It was during the early 1970s that Rolex powered its gold Cosmographs with “COSC” movements. In addition to its unusual design, it exhibits intense mocha-colored subsidiary registers, giving the watch charisma and its own identity. The gold livery coupled with brown registers is utterly luxurious like it was touched by Midas. It is one of the dream pieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.

Displaying yet another variant of a “Paul Newman” dial, while similar to the ‘exotic’ dials of reference 6239 and 6241, this Daytona reference 6262 displays slight changes. Most notably, the “T Swiss T” designation at 6 o’clock is flatter than its predecessors and no longer displays a pyramid shape; the subsidiary registers have aged slightly and exhibit a relatively ‘flat’ appearance, which is a particularly rare dial variant. This example is one of the timepieces included in the thematic auction on May 12, hosted by Phillips in association with Bacs and Russo at La Réserve, Geneva.