Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona Just Became the Most Expensive Watch Ever Sold

This is incredible.

(Photo: Phillips)

The most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction, a Rolex Daytona owned by legendary movie star and avid race car driver Paul Newman, just smashed records with a $17,752,500 sale at a Phillips auction.

The bidding war started at $10 million and lasted a mere 12 seconds. There was a ton of interest in this classic timepiece, which steamrolled the previous world record holder—a stainless steel Patek Philippe that went for a mere $11,136,642.

(Photo: Douglas Kirkland/Corbis/Getty Images)

The significance of this watch cannot be overstated. Rolex had been making the auto racing-inspired timepiece since 1963 but it became wildly popular among collectors when Newman started rocking it after first getting behind the wheel in 1969.

(Photo: Phillips)
(Photo: Phillips)

Some forget the star of The Hustler, The Color of Money and Cool Hand Luke had a decorated second career—as a four-time national title-holding race car driver. Newman even placed second in the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race in 1979. Dude was a straight-up legend.

(Photo: Ron Galella/Getty Images)

Phillips, the storied auction house that sold the watch, called Newman’s signature Rolex Daytona “arguably the most iconic collector’s wristwatch of the 20th century” in statement.

(Photo: Phillips)
(Photo: Phillips)

Read more about this historic, record-smattering auction on the Phillips website.

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