In the mid 1980’s, I was given a gift. A Rolex Daytona. I wasn’t a collector of things—and certainly not watches. But this watch was the most coveted thing I had, because it was given to me by someone I deeply admired and who became my greatest mentor. I held onto it tightly for 30 or so years.

As it turns out, my watch was famous. Not as famous and cool as the man who gave it to me, but close. A bunch of us got together in 2017 and decided it was time to show this watch to the world and turn a lifetime of imbibed magic into resources to make the world a better place.

This Rolex was originally a gift from Joanne Woodward to Paul Newman when he started racing cars. On the back are the lovingly inscribed words “Drive Carefully, Me”. Paul wore this watch racing, acting, on movie sets and to dinner with friends—it traveled with one of the coolest guys on the planet, and it soaked up a lot of magic along its journey.

The world was taking notice as early as the late ‘70’s, seeing Paul wearing this Rolex—arguably starting the vintage watch collecting movement and making this particular watch ICONIC.

Around 1984, Paul gave the watch to me. That story is beautifully told by Michael Clerizo of the Wall Street Journal.

In October of 2017, we sold the Rolex and set a world record for the most ever paid for a vintage watch ($17,800,000.00).

This was remarkable. But what is really remarkable is the life that Paul Newman lived, and that’s why the watch became so important to history.

Paul and his legacy continue, and after hearing so many of his close friends reflect on the life Paul lived, I knew that we could all learn something from this man. We can all walk through life with a bit more grace and care for one another.

The story continues as we play this magic forward. Paul’s daughter, Nell, is deeply involved as some proceeds of the watch sale run through her private foundation, The Nell Newman Foundation, where I’m fortunate to be the treasurer.

My Friend James highlights some of the projects that benefit from Paul's watch.

Listen to a podcast about the watch.