Paul Newman, Le Mans Race 1979
| Title | Paul Newman, Le Mans Race 1979 |
| Collection | Pièce Unique |
| Piece Unique | 1 of 1 |
Creation Details
Paul Newman, Le Mans Race 1979 is an Atelier WOCS creation, meticulously crafted in the Geneva ateliers, where artistic mastery brings history to life. Singularly handcrafted by skilled artisans, this composition pays tribute to Le Mans race.
Produced as a pièce unique 1/1, the composition is authenticated by the Maison’s seal, signed and dated, and accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity.
The Story Behind
The Porsche 935, a car with a dominating legacy of over 150 worldwide race wins through 1984, is one of the most important models in Porsche history. It offered legendary actor and racer Paul Newman his 24 Hours of Le Mans debut on June 9- 10, 1979, alongside co-drivers Dick Barbour (team owner) and Rolf Stommelen.
This exquisite composition salutes the iconic 1979 Le Mans race, highlighting Paul Newman's blazing red Porsche 935 at the heart of its visual narrative. A remarkable historical footnote of this car is its 1980 campaign sponsorship by Apple Computers, an unprecedented alliance between racing and technology, rendering it the only race car ever to be backed by tech giants. Continuing its triumphant journey, the Porsche 935 clinched victory at the 1981 24 Hours of Daytona post its Le Mans exploit.
Beyond being a celebrated Hollywood star, Paul Newman transcended his fame into the realm of horology in 2017 when his 1968 Rolex Daytona set a record at a Phillips auction house in New York, selling for a staggering $17.8 Million in a span of 12 minutes, thereby establishing a new benchmark for a wristwatch at auction.
The term "iconic" often risks dilution, but when applied to the Rolex "Paul Newman" Daytona, it faithfully embodies its standing. The filming of Newman's debut racing movie, "Winning," catalyzed demand for the early "exotic dial" Daytonas, overwhelming Rolex dealers with its popularity. Advancing several decades, the Rolex Daytona has reached legendary status, becoming one of the world's most sought-after chronographs. Newman's personal Daytona, a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward, carries a heartfelt inscription - "Drive Carefully. Me."