Rolex sprung a surprise on July 1 last year when it unveiled a white gold Cosmograph Daytona to mark the 100th anniversary of the legendary Le Mans 24-hour race.
Ten months later, on day one of Watches of Wonders, the firm announced the watch had been discontinued.
Bad news for anybody lusting after arguably the most desirable chronograph to have launched this decade, but excellent news for anybody who managed to buy one because their resale value rocketed this week.
Ahead of Watches and Wonders, the watch was trading for around $180,000, already a hefty premium over its $51,400 retail price, but today the same watch, unworn with a full set, is being advertised for over $320,000.
Advertised prices do not necessarily translate into sold values. Chrono24’s tracker shows prices rising 23% this week from a steady $225,000 to $273,500.
The highest prices are likely being advertised by dealers “selling pictures”, where they try to find a buyer before they then go to the market to try and source the watch.
Rolex unveiled the new watch in an 18ct white gold with a Paul Newman-style reverse panda dial and a slight tweak to the gearing of the usual calibre 4131 (introduced earlier in 2023) that turns the 12 hour chronograph sub dial into a 24 hour counter in honour of the legendary Le Mans 24-hour race race.
Paul Newman is not only forever associated with the Rolex Daytona, he was also a passionate endurance motor racer and came second overall in the 1979 24 Hours of Le Mans, finishing first in his class with co-drivers Dirk Barbour and Rolf Stommelen in a Porsche 935.
The altered movement was given a new reference, the calibre 4132 (no word on whether this is also being discontinued), and there was also a change to the black Cerachrome bezel with the number 100 picked out in red.
Rolex collectors likened the look of the highly desirable vintage Daytona 6263. “Rolex does it again releasing a new model Daytona to commemorate the 100-year anniversary of the Le Mans race. Take my money now,” cried Paul Altieri, CEO of major Rolex watch trading company Bob’s Watches and a passionate collector of the brand.
“I love the Panda dial is it harkens back to The vintage days of the model 6263. What a sensational release,” he added.
ROLEX IS AMAZING WATCH
Fabulous looking watch, has to be the pinnacle of any Rolex collectors collection.