Where: Upstate New York
Watch: Vintage Rolex Daytona
When: 9:14 a.m.
There's been a bit of a frenzy in the watch world lately, all surrounding the Rolex Daytona and the recent auction of Paul Newman’s, by Phillips. The Daytona has been around—and in demand—since the 1960s, staying true to its original design with only a few tweaks here and there over the years. This sale, however, set auction records, with the hammer finally coming down at $17.75 million (and becoming the talk of watch followers worldwide).
The Daytona was originally inspired by car racing, and takes its name from Florida's legendary Daytona Speedway racetrack. This week, I've been wearing the above Vintage model (#16520) from the 90s. It has a Zenith movement, set in stainless steel with a white dial, and classic Daytona styling. While the Vintage Model 6263 (which has been described as the "most desirable wristwatch in the world") will cost at least $60,000, this particular model, which I love, will not set you back quite as much. It was loaned to me for this week’s column by my friends at Crown and Caliber, who have a large selection of pre-owned pieces, verified by their team of watchmakers who can not only confirm its authenticity but also perform any necessary service. I also love their one-year warranty, just for peace of mind.
While always thrilling, navigating the vintage market can be tricky, given that there are an overwhelming amount of options from dealers, auction houses, and eBay. My first bit of advice, always, is to just be aware of that. The second, relating to the first, is go to a reputable, trusted source that will guarantee your purchase—and allow returns.