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The Encyclopedia of Horology

Wristwatch · Chronograph

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman Panda' Ref. 6263

Partially verified

This vintage Rolex Oyster Cosmograph reference 6263 dates to circa 1971 and features a 37.5 mm stainless steel case fitted with screw-down pushers and a black tachymeter bezel. Powered by the manual-wind caliber 727 with 17 jewels, the watch is equipped with an exotic 'Paul Newman Panda' dial. The dial displays a cream surface paired with dark brown aged tropical subsidiary dials and matching outer track. The watch is mounted on a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped 1 71 with 271 endlinks.

Front view of the Rolex reference 6263 chronograph with tropical Paul Newman dial and Oyster bracelet
Front view of the Rolex reference 6263 chronograph with tropical Paul Newman dial and Oyster bracelet — Christie's. Rights pending — permission not yet requested. Original source

Catalogue identity

Source
onlineonly.christies.com
Category
Wristwatch · Chronograph
Maker / attribution
Rolex
Reference
6263
Catalogue / lot identifier
109
Source-reported date
Circa 1971
Country
Switzerland
Source-reported serial
2’653’863

Source-reported attribution and specifications are not independent authentication. A listing does not establish present ownership, current display, availability or permission to reproduce.

Object description

Dial Configuration and Luminous Plots

Catalogued as an exotic 'Paul Newman Panda' dial, the dial surface is described as cream with subsidiary registers and an outer track that have aged over time to a dark brown hue. The cataloguer terms these registers 'Big Eyes', recording that they are wider than those found on MK2 Paul Newman Panda dials and almost touch the outer track.

Visual observation confirms the off-white or cream dial base paired with three dark brown subsidiary dials and a matching outer seconds track. The auction house condition report states that all lume plots are intact, while noting that the plots at 3 and 8 o’clock may have been restored during a past service.

Evidence for this section
  • “Cream, “tropical” brown subsidiary dials and outer track”
  • “The subdials are considered "Big Eyes" as they are wider than on MK2 Paul Newman "Panda" chronographs, almost touching the outertrack of the of the dial.”
  • “White or cream dial with three dark brown subsidiary dials and a matching outer seconds track.”
  • “All lume plots are intact and have aged nicely. The lume plots at 3 and 8 o’clock have possibly been restored a while ago during a Rolex service.”

Case Architecture and Movement

The stainless steel case measures 37.5 mm in diameter and is fitted with screw-down pushers and a black tachymeter bezel. While catalogued externally as reference 6263, the interior of the case back is recorded as stamped 6239.

Powering the watch is a manual-wind Rolex caliber 727 movement with 17 jewels. The Christie's condition report notes that the movement was ticking and the chronograph mechanism was functioning at the time of cataloguing.

Evidence for this section
  • “Case: Stainless steel , screw back, inside case back stamped 6239, 37.5 mm diam.”
  • “Black bezel insert calibrated for tachymeter units per hour.”
  • “Screw-down chronograph pushers and winding crown at 3 o'clock position.”
  • “Movement: Manual , cal. 727, 17 jewels”
  • “The movement is ticking at the time of cataloguing, the chronograph is working”

Bracelet, Accompanying Parts, and Provenance Claims

The watch is mounted on a stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped '1 71' on the clasp, with endlinks stamped 271. Additional components catalogued with the lot include an auxiliary Rolex service bezel and an extra Rolex service bracelet stamped 78350 with 571 endlinks.

According to Christie's lot essay, the piece was consigned by the original owner, who reportedly received it as a birthday gift purchased from O.J. Perrin on avenue Victor Hugo in Paris. The text suggests the patination on the registers may have developed during decades of use, including travel to Burma in 1977 during a documentary filming.

Evidence for this section
  • “Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 1 71 , endlinks stamped 271”
  • “Accompanied by: A Rolex service bezel, a Rolex service bracelet stamped 78350 and 571 to the endlinks”
  • “Consigned by the original owner”
  • “the timepiece was purchased at the O.J. Perrin shop, situated on the prestigious 33 avenue Victor Hugo in Paris”
  • “In 1977, he was sent to Burma in order to oversee the filming of a documentary on the Karen minority”

Open research questions

  • What specific UV or microscopic analysis was used by the cataloguer to conclude that the 3 and 8 o’clock luminous plots may have been restored?
  • Is there surviving service documentation from Rolex detailing when the accompanying service bezel and 78350 bracelet were provided?
  • How does the case serial number 2’653’863 align with documented production ranges of reference 6263 cases that left the factory with 6239-stamped case backs?

Source evidence

Recorded claims and source quotations for Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Paul Newman Panda' Ref. 6263
FieldSource-reported valueSource quotation
Case Number2’653’863“Case No. 2’653’863”
Calibrecal. 727, 17 jewels“cal. 727, 17 jewels”
Case Diameter37.5 mm“37.5 mm diam.”
Case Back Stamping6239“inside case back stamped 6239”
Bracelet Endlinks271“endlinks stamped 271”
Bracelet Clasp Stamping1 71“stamped 1 71”
Accompanying PartsRolex service bezel and service bracelet (stamped 78350, endlinks 571)“Accompanied by: A Rolex service bezel, a Rolex service bracelet stamped 78350 and 571 to the endlinks”
Reported Original RetailerO.J. Perrin, 33 avenue Victor Hugo, Paris“purchased at the O.J. Perrin shop, situated on the prestigious 33 avenue Victor Hugo in Paris”

Visible details

  • White or cream dial with three dark brown subsidiary dials and a matching outer seconds track.
  • Black bezel insert calibrated for tachymeter units per hour.
  • Screw-down chronograph pushers and winding crown at 3 o'clock position.
  • Stainless steel three-link Oyster bracelet attached to the case.

Research qualifications

  • Condition report notes lume plots at 3 and 8 o’clock may have been restored during a past service.
  • Inside case back is stamped 6239 rather than the model reference 6263.

Photograph identity and source facts were screened before import; rights clearance remains pending.

Consulted source

ROLEX. STEEL, CHRONOGRAPH, TROPICAL "BIG EYE PAUL NEWMAN PANDA" DIAL, REF. 6263, Case No. 2’653’863 | Christie’s

Reviewed 2026-10-21 · Record 8e58a21a67

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Glossary explanations for terms named in this object’s record.

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