Comedian Jimmy Carr spotted wearing a Rolex

Jimmy Carr, known for his sharp wit and equally sharp tailoring, was recently spotted wearing one of the most mythologized references in vintage watchmaking: the Rolex Daytona 'Paul Newman' Reference 6239. What makes the sighting particularly notable is his choice to pair it with a black alligator Bund strap — a thick, leather-backed military-style configuration that elevates the vintage aesthetic without drifting into parody.

The Reference 6239 entered production in 1963 and holds the distinction of being the first Rolex Cosmograph to bear the Daytona name on its dial. It is powered by the manually wound Valjoux 72 movement, a robust and well-regarded ébauche that Rolex regulated and cased to motorsport timing specifications. The case measures 37mm in stainless steel, fitted with a pump pushers configuration — a defining characteristic of this early generation before the later screw-down pushers of the Reference 6263 and 6265. The 'Paul Newman' designation refers specifically to the exotic dial variant featuring a two-tone chapter ring, Art Deco-style block numerals, and a distinct cross-hair pattern within the subsidiary registers — details that confused buyers in the 1960s and created the very scarcity that defines its collectibility today.

From a collector's standpoint, the 6239 is the foundational Paul Newman Daytona. It precedes the more commonly encountered Reference 6241 and commands serious premiums when dials present cleanly. Provenance, dial condition, and case sharpness drive valuations dramatically. A standard-dial 6239 already attracts strong money; a confirmed Paul Newman-dial example in honest, unpolished condition is a different conversation entirely.

Carr has demonstrated consistent taste in serious horology, and this choice signals genuine engagement with the vintage market rather than trophy acquisition. The Bund strap pairing reads as informed — it softens the wrist presence of the narrow 37mm case while nodding to the watch's era.

On the current grey market, Paul Newman Daytona 6239 examples trade in a wide range depending on dial originality and case condition. Retail is not applicable for a vintage reference, but auction results for top-quality examples routinely exceed $200,000, with exceptional provenance pieces climbing well beyond that threshold.