Rolex Very Fine & Extremely Rare Ref. 6241 Cosmograph Daytona 14k Gold "John Player Special" With "Paul Newman" Dial and "Van Cleef & Arpels" Bracelet Case: No. 2084348, 14k yellow gold, 37.5 mm, screw back, screw down crown, black bezel with tachymetre scale graduated to 200 units per hour Dial: matte black, applied black square markers with luminous accents, fifth of a seconds divisions on a gold track, gold engine turned recessed subsidiary dials for the constant seconds, 30 minute and 12 hour registers, gold lettering, luminous gold baton hands Movement: caliber 722-1, 17 jewels, manual wind, adjusted three positions Signed: Rolex on dial, case, movement. Rolex and V.C.A on bracelet clasp Band: 14k yellow gold, marked 14k U.S.A Rolex and V.C.A 7V194-4 , deployant clasp Offered for sale publicly for the first time, this ultra-rare 14K gold variant of Rolex's Daytona Reference 6241 'John Player Special' featuring the highly desirable "Paul Newman" dial, beautifully toned case and complimented by its original, ultra-rare and possibly unique Rolex USA bracelet stamped by 'Van Cleef & Arpels'. Manufactured in circa 1969, this is a remarkably well preserved example, showing only gentle use over its roughly 50-year lifetime. The passage of time has given its gold case a rich and even patina. The case lugs are still sharp and have what appear to be the original brush marks, with the deep hallmarks clearly visible beneath the lugs. The condition of this dial is exceptional, all the lume dots still intact and only the lume at 3 o'clock showing any signs of degradation. Although worn, the Van Cleef & Arpels stamped bracelet shows only light wear, retaining its factory brushed finish on the clasp, with the crisp Rolex 'crown' logo on the deployant. The original VCA production stamp (VCA 7V194-4) is still clearly visible to the right of the Rolex logo and crown. It is likely, although not currently confirmable, that the watch was retailed new by Van Cleef and Arpels. Of the roughly 3000 reference 6241 Rolex Daytona's produced between 1966 and 1969, fewer than 400 were made in 14K gold. Of these, only a handful of examples with the black 'Paul Newman' dial have appeared at auction in the past 10 years. The 'John Player Special' Ref 6241 Daytona is an extremely rare model. Those in 14K gold, such as the present watch, were reserved exclusively for the North American market, with the rest of the world receiving 18K variants. The present piece has never before seen an auction room and was purchased in a private transaction between two friends in 1971, remaining in the present owners possession until now. It has received incredibly light use, and is presented in remarkable condition. This is a unique opportunity to acquire what is one of the rarest and most desirable Vintage Rolexes to have come to market.