Paul Newman’s Rolex Daytona goes on display in Hollywood

Its sale captivated watch enthusiasts, and even more Rolex enthusiasts at the end of 2017: The Cosmograph Daytona of the American actor Paul Newman had been awarded 17.8 million dollars (15.29 million euros) under the hammer of Aurels Bacs, at Phillips, in New York. A watch offered in 1969 by his wife, actress Joanne Woodward, during the filming of the film Turns. On the back, an engraved mention: « Drive carefully me », « Drive carefully thinking of me ». A watch once given by the actor (who also owned another Daytona given by his wife) to James Cox, ex-boyfriend of the actor’s eldest daughter, Elinor « Nell » Newman. If the sale was made for the benefit of charities, no one knows the name of the purchaser of this historic piece. On the other hand, this mystery buyer has accepted that this legendary Rolex, worn by an equally legendary actor, is now presented within the gallery. « Stories of Cinema » of the Academy Museum.

Leading his two passions, cinema and car racing, Paul Newman competed in his first professional race in 1972 and then won four Sports Car Club of America championships. In 1979, he finished the 24 Hours of Le Mans in second place and in 1995, when he was 70 years old, his team won the GTS-1 category of the 24 Hours of Daytona.

During this brilliant career, his Cosmograph Daytona never left him. Paul Newman also wore Rolex watches off the race track. Especially on screen, when he played the king of billiards Eddie Felson in the color of silver, a role that earned him the Oscar for best actor in 1987. In addition to being an outstanding actor and a confirmed pilot, he was also a pioneering social entrepreneur. The watch he received from his wife is now on display at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures.

Inaugurated in September 2021 in the cinema capital of the world, it is the most important museum dedicated to cinema in the United States. A museum that was missing until then in Hollywood, a city that devours its own past. Located on the famous Miracle Mile in Los Angeles, the 28,000 m2 building is distinguished by its gigantic glass ball designed by architect Renzo Piano. It houses more than 4500 m2 dedicated to permanent and temporary exhibitions, two cinemas, an educational studio and spaces intended to host public events and ceremonies. It offers the general public an immersion in the unique world of cinema through original exhibitions, screenings, educational programs and exceptional collections. The museum exhibits a wide selection of objects related to film production and technology, illustrating the complex and international stories of the directors and their works. You can admire hundreds of objects there, from sharks to Sea teeth to the toys of Toy Storyfrom the world of Alfred Hitchcock to that of George Lucas.

In 2017, Rolex entered into a partnership with the highest authority of the 7th art, the Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences. The Swiss house thus became Exclusive Watch of the Academy of Cinema Arts and Sciences, Proud Sponsor of the Oscars and Exclusive Sponsor of the Governors Awards. Rolex is, moreover, Founding Supporter of the museum inaugurated in Los Angeles.

On the third floor of this museum, the Rolex Gallery presents modular exhibitions that offer unique journeys through different moments in the history of cinema, immersing visitors in the universe of filmmakers from all over the world. The main exhibition « Stories of Cinema », presents installations revealing different aspects of the art of filmmaking – technology, artists, history and impact on society – through various voices that bring the magic of the 7th art to life. Another room titled « Inventing universes and characters » invites you to discover how different artists and technicians design elements intended for the creation of a film, from its genesis to its final production. Many objects are exhibited there, from models to costumes and celluloids.