Paul Newman’s Daytona: The Watch Gift That Became a $17.8 Million Legend

Every watch enthusiast has that one story they’ll never forget. But few stories resonate across the entire watch community like the tale of Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona, a timepiece gifted in love, worn through passion, and given away with casual generosity… only to become the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction.

It’s the ultimate celebrity watch confession. And it proves that sometimes, the watches we casually give away or wear without a second thought can end up making history.

A Gift from the Heart: “Drive Carefully, Me”

In 1968, Hollywood legend Paul Newman was already known for his roles in The Hustler and Cool Hand Luke, but he had another passion off-screen: racing cars. His wife, actress Joanne Woodward, wasn’t exactly thrilled about his love for speed, but she supported him nonetheless.

As a gesture of love, and maybe as a gentle reminder, Joanne gifted Paul a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (Ref. 6239). On the caseback, she had it engraved with the words:

“Drive Carefully, Me.”

Simple, heartfelt, and entirely personal.

At the time, the Rolex Daytona wasn’t the global icon it is today. In fact, the exotic dial variant, with its contrasting sub-dials and art-deco numerals, wasn’t particularly popular. Dealers struggled to sell them. But on Paul’s wrist, the watch found its true calling.

The Watch That Became “The Paul Newman Daytona”

Newman wore that Daytona constantly. Whether on movie sets, at the racetrack, or during candid photo ops, the watch was always visible, perched on a humble black leather strap.

As watch enthusiasts and collectors noticed, the model began to gain a cult following. Collectors started referring to that specific dial style as the “Paul Newman” Daytona. It was an organic, grassroots phenomenon; Newman wasn’t paid for endorsements, and Rolex hadn’t yet realized the marketing goldmine they had.

But while the watch world idolized the piece, to Paul, it was just his trusty timekeeper, a sentimental gift from his wife.

“If You Wind It, It Tells Pretty Good Time”

Here’s where the confession-worthy twist comes in.

In 1984, Paul Newman was working on a treehouse with James Cox, a young man dating his daughter Nell. Paul noticed that James wasn’t wearing a watch. Being the practical (and generous) man he was, Paul took the Daytona off his own wrist and handed it to him with a simple line:

“If you remember to wind it, it tells pretty good time.”

That’s it. No fanfare. No dramatic gesture. Just a casual act of generosity, handing over what would later become the most valuable wristwatch in the world.

For years, the watch world speculated about the whereabouts of Paul Newman’s original Daytona. It had become a legend, almost mythical among collectors. Meanwhile, James Cox simply wore the watch, not fully grasping the historical significance it would later hold.

From Treehouse to $17.8 Million Auction Block

Fast forward to 2017. James Cox and Nell Newman decided to auction the watch, with a large portion of the proceeds going to the Nell Newman Foundation, a charity supporting environmental and educational initiatives.

When Phillips Auctioneers announced the sale of Paul Newman’s personal Daytona, the watch community erupted. On October 26, 2017, after a 12-minute bidding war, the gavel fell at an astounding $17.8 million, shattering records and making it the one of the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction at the time.

The story wasn’t just about the watch’s rarity, it was about the story behind it:

• A heartfelt gift from a wife to her husband.
  

• A watch worn with love and without pretension.
  

• A casual, almost offhand gift to a young friend building a treehouse.
  

• A piece of horological history that became priceless, not because of diamonds or gold, but because of life lived.
  
  

The Takeaway: Watches Gain Value Through Stories, Not Just Price Tags

Paul Newman’s Daytona wasn’t treated like a safe queen. It was worn, loved, gifted, and worn again. Its journey, from Woodward’s heartfelt engraving to its humble role on a racetrack, to being casually handed over for everyday use, is exactly what made it legendary.

This story resonates because it reflects the emotional bond many of us have with our watches. The scratches, the memories, the regrets, the gifts, these experiences breathe life into steel and glass.

You don’t need a $17.8 million Daytona to have a meaningful watch story. Maybe you gifted a watch to someone special and wonder where it is now. Maybe you sold a piece you wish you hadn’t. Or maybe you’ve got a watch that’s been with you through thick and thin, quietly marking the moments of your life.

Share Your #MyWatchStory and Win a Barrington Winder

By now, you’re probably recalling a watch story of your own. Maybe your heart skipped a beat the first time you wore that Omega Speedmaster your wife gave you and you noticed a tiny ding on the bezel. Or perhaps you’re chuckling (or cringing) about that time you traded three watches to get one Grail, only to miss the ones you let go. Whatever your watch confession is, we want to hear it!

It’s confession time. Share your watch story with us as part of the #MyWatchStory campaign for a chance to win a Barrington Single Watch Winder (perfect for keeping your automatic timepiece ticking and ready to go). The theme is “Confessions of a Watch Owner,” and we invite you to pour your heart out:

Submit My Watch Confession