Watch Paparazzi

Actor Paul Newman spotted wearing Casio

Paul Newman is a name synonymous with the Rolex Daytona — his personal 6239 sold at Phillips in 2017 for $17.75 million, a world auction record. Yet this candid racing paddock photograph tells a more human story: Newman, dressed in his full Datsun competition suit, wears what appears to be a Casio B158WD-series stainless steel digital watch, a detail that says as much about the man as any exotic timepiece ever could.

The Casio B158WD is a clean, no-nonsense piece from the late 1970s to early 1980s Japanese digital watch boom. Its rectangular tonneau-shaped case in brushed stainless steel, integrated five-link bracelet, and black resin dial with blue accent lines are all clearly legible in the image. The watch runs on a lithium cell powering a straightforward LCD module displaying hours, minutes, seconds, and date — exactly the kind of practical tool information a racing driver actually needs in a paddock environment. The bezel is flat and minimal, the crown is crown-side at 4 o'clock for time-setting, and 'WATER RESIST' is printed on the lower dial — all consistent with the B158WD reference.

For collectors, this sighting is more curiosity than grail-hunt. The B158WD and its close relatives trade for between $30 and $150 today depending on condition, and Casio has periodically reissued the aesthetic in updated form. The watch's significance here is entirely contextual: it sits on the same wrist that wore a Zenith-movement Daytona won at the 24 Hours of Daytona and a platinum-cased 116519 engraved by Joanne Woodward.

Newman was a serious amateur racer, not a celebrity dilettante. He co-founded Newman/Haas Racing and competed at Le Mans. In that context, wearing a $25 Casio to the grid rather than a five-figure chronograph is entirely consistent — it's a working driver's watch, not a fashion statement. The racing suit patches confirm this is a professional competition environment, not a film set.

The Casio B158WD remains widely available through vintage dealers and online marketplaces, with near-mint examples rarely exceeding $100. Its connection to Newman won't move that market meaningfully, but it will make every owner of one pause and smile.