Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg is a recent convert to the world of watch collecting, but he’s certainly (ahem) making up for lost time. In late 2021, when the billionaire announced that Facebook would be renamed Meta, Zuckerberg debuted a new personal look that is decidedly more relaxed and more comfortable with the wealth he has amassed – over $200 billion and counting. Shortly thereafter he started sporting a number of high-end luxury watches, and he seems to debut new ones nearly every month.
The $900,000 “Paul Newman” Daytona Ref. 6239
One of his latest bits of wrist candy is the best we’ve seen so far, an ultra-rare, solid gold Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona worth an estimated $900,000, with a stunning champagne dial. The 6239 is the same reference as the one Paul Newman himself wore (in steel), which set a world record when it sold for $17.8 million in 2017. It is a holy grail amongst Rolex collectors, and with good reason. Introduced in 1963, the Rolex ref. 6239 is the first iteration of the Rolex Daytona and also the first to feature the now-famous “Paul Newman” exotic dial.
Celebrities Who Have Worn the Rare Rolex 6239
Other celebrities who have been seen wearing rare 6239s include Jason Statham, Eric Clapton and Drake, though only Clapton’s watch was solid gold like Zuckerberg’s. Only about 300 examples of the 6239 are thought to have been made, and only a handful of those were produced in yellow gold. The 6239 was almost called the “Rolex Le Mans” instead of the Rolex Daytona, and was originally priced at a mere $210 when first released (about $2,000 in today’s dollars).
A Growing Collection
We’re pretty sure now that Zuckerberg has caught the Rolex bug, we will see more rare examples from the iconic Rolex Swiss watchmaker on his wrist. Meanwhile the rest of his watch collection is extremely eclectic, ranging from rare pieces by Patek Philippe to horological oddities in somewhat questionable taste. On the Patek front, we’re impressed with his selection of a Ref. 5236P perpetual calendar chronograph, and the Ref. 5303R, a rare 1-of-12 tourbillon with a skeleton dial, worth around $1 million.
Our favorite among the trio of Pateks that Zuck has been seen wearing is the Ref. 5961R, a sweet annual calendar chronograph with a black dial. Then we get into some of the stranger things: an H. Moser & Cie. Streamline Tourbillon Skeleton, and an F.P. Journe FFC based on a design concept by Francis Ford Coppola, which tells the time with a miniature robotic-looking hand. We really hope this thing is kept away from the Rolex and Pateks.
He does also have some more enticing F.P. Journes, including a platinum Chronomètre Souverain Havana with an elegant brown dial. And we’re quite drawn to his Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Kingsman Knife, released in 2020 as a special edition of 100 pieces for the ‘Kingsman’ film series. It’s a stark contrast to his Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra Mark II, one of the thinnest watches in the world, worth about $600,000. While it might be a marvel of watchmaking, it’s not terribly attractive except for the novelty factor. That money could certainly be better spent.
Expert Advice for Refining the Collection
“Mark’s watch collecting certainly shows a wide-ranging interest in exclusive and expensive timepieces,” says Paul Altieri, founder and CEO of Bob’s Watches and one of the world’s top Rolex collectors. “I think as things progress he’ll come to refine the collection a bit and not just splurge on every over-the-top watch he sees. On the Rolex front, I’d recommend adding some more rare Daytonas such as the newer ‘Le Mans’ version in white gold – the perfect complement to his gorgeous 6239.”
