Royal Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi spotted wearing a Rolex

Ammar bin Humaid Al Nuaimi, Crown Prince of the Emirate of Ajman and a figure regularly noted for refined taste, was recently spotted wearing one of the most historically significant wristwatches in existence: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 6239 in stainless steel with a black matte 'Paul Newman' exotic dial. In royal circles, statement timepieces are expected — but few statements carry this kind of weight on the secondary market.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 was introduced around 1963 as part of Rolex's early push into the professional chronograph segment, aimed squarely at motorsport enthusiasts. Its 37mm stainless steel Oyster case houses the manually wound Valjoux 72 movement — a robust, column-wheel chronograph calibre built for reliability rather than spectacle. What distinguishes the 'Paul Newman' variant is its so-called exotic dial: a contrasting Art Deco sub-register design featuring square indices, a distinct outer chapter ring, and a refined aesthetic that Rolex itself never officially named after the Hollywood actor. Newman famously wore one gifted to him by Joanne Woodward, and after his personal example sold at Phillips in 2017 for $17.75 million, the nickname became immortal.

For collectors, the stainless steel black dial ref. 6239 represents the convergence of scarcity, provenance mythology, and genuine mechanical integrity. Production numbers were modest, survivor rates are low, and dial condition is everything — any fading, refinishing, or restoration collapses value dramatically. A pristine example is effectively a blue-chip asset, consistently outperforming estimates at Sotheby's, Christie's, and Phillips.

That a sitting crown prince chooses to wear this piece rather than display it signals a particular philosophy of collecting — one that treats horological heritage as something lived-in rather than locked away. Al Nuaimi's choice of the ref. 6239 over more ostentatious complications speaks to a discerning, historically informed collector sensibility.

On the open market, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 Paul Newman in stainless steel routinely clears $230,000 USD at auction, with exceptional examples in verified original condition pushing well beyond that figure. No official retail price exists — this is a vintage reference acquired exclusively through specialist dealers, auction houses, and private treaty sales. Demand consistently outpaces supply.