Jean-Pierre Jabouille's Rolex “Big Red” Daytona is one of the highlights of Phillips' upcoming New York Watch Auction: XII. It was a gift from Renault after he won the 1979 French Grand Prix — the first Formula One win for Renault and a French car team in history. The watch is engraved on the back with the words “DIE TO DRIVE – RENAULT F1 – J.P.J. 79” to commemorate this victory.
This model, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6265, first appeared in 1969 and features screw-down pushers for added water resistance. The case was made in 1972 and still has original millerighe mark I pushers — a rarity for vintage Daytonas. When it was given to Jabouille, it was fitted with a “new old stock” Big Red dial, which was accurate to the time.
It has been in the Jabouille family collection for nearly five decades, and is now up for auction for between $50,000 to $100,000 USD. The auction will be held today June 7–8, 2025, in Midtown Manhattan, New York.
