{"id":75317,"date":"2022-03-08T08:00:30","date_gmt":"2022-03-08T08:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.watchpro.com\/?p=75317"},"modified":"2022-03-08T19:05:11","modified_gmt":"2022-03-08T19:05:11","slug":"swisswatchexpo-ultimate-guide-to-the-rolex-cosmograph-daytona","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.watchpro.com\/swisswatchexpo-ultimate-guide-to-the-rolex-cosmograph-daytona\/","title":{"rendered":"SwissWatchExpo Ultimate Guide to the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona"},"content":{"rendered":"
The\u00a0Rolex Cosmograph Daytona<\/a>\u00a0has gone from a watch that could hardly sell to a true industry classic. Introduced in 1963, it was developed for professional race car drivers who needed a highly reliable tool to calculate speeds and measure elapsed time.<\/strong><\/p>\n With a little help from the legendary actor Paul Newman, and the increasing interest in vintage watches, the tides turned for the Rolex Daytona. Today, it is widely considered as the most iconic chronograph \u2013 one that every collector wants in their watch box.<\/p>\n The Rolex Daytona celebrates its 60th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary in 2023, and fans are growing curious about how The Crown will celebrate this occasion.<\/p>\n In the meantime, let\u2019s brush up on our Rolex Daytona knowledge with the help of\u00a0SwissWatchExpo<\/a>\u2019s ultimate guide.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Gold MOP Diamond Dial Mens Watch 116519<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n Many view the\u00a0Rolex Daytona<\/a>\u00a0as the \u201cRolex chronograph\u201d, but the brand actually began producing chronograph watches as early as the 1930s.<\/p>\n What set the earliest Daytona models apart and paved the way for the creation of the collection, were two pivotal decisions: in 1963, when Rolex moved the tachymetric scale from the periphery of the dial to the bezel; and in 1965, when the Daytona name finally appeared on the dial. These two characteristics still help define the Rolex Daytona\u2019s aesthetics until today.<\/p>\n The Rolex Daytona\u2019s long and rich heritage is marked by the following events:<\/p>\n 1903:<\/strong>\u00a0The history of racing in Florida begins at Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. From its beginnings as a pastime for the rich, it slowly becomes a popular sport, and Daytona, Florida rises as the World Capital of Speed.<\/p>\n 1935:<\/strong>\u00a0British racer Sir Malcolm Campbell becomes the first person to drive over 300 miles per hour, while wearing a Rolex Oyster<\/p>\n 1959:<\/strong>\u00a0The Daytona International Speedway opens and becomes the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious and important race in NASCAR<\/p>\n 1962:<\/strong>\u00a0Rolex becomes the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway<\/p>\n 1963:<\/strong>\u00a0The first Rolex Daytona watch is introduced. The ref 6239 has its tachymeter scale engraved on the metal bezel to enhance the legibility of the dial.<\/p>\n 1965:<\/strong>\u00a0The word \u201cDaytona\u201d first appears on the dial. In the same year, Rolex introduced the \u201cexotic\u201d dial, characterized by a contrasting outer seconds track, and Art Deco font on the chronograph registers<\/p>\n Late 1960s:<\/strong>\u00a0Actor and racer Paul Newman becomes a devotee of the Rolex Daytona \u201cexotic\u201d dial, often wearing it to his races<\/p>\n 1980s:<\/strong>\u00a0Collectors give the nickname \u201cPaul Newman\u201d to this particular Daytona dial, and interest in earlier Daytona models grows among watch collectors<\/p>\n 1988:<\/strong>\u00a0The second generation of Daytona watches are equipped with self-winding movements<\/p>\n 2000:<\/strong>\u00a0The third generation of Daytona watches are upgraded with Rolex\u2019s first in-house chronograph movement, the Caliber 4130<\/p>\n 2017:<\/strong>\u00a0Paul Newman\u2019s personal Daytona becomes the most expensive Rolex wristwatch ever sold at auction, amounting to $17.8 million<\/p>\n Whether they\u2019re vintage or modern, all\u00a0Rolex Daytona<\/a>\u00a0watches are sports chronographs used to measure elapsed time and calculate average speeds. The aesthetics of the Rolex Daytona has evolved through the decades, but the following components remain:<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Rolex Daytona Steel White Dial Chronograph Mens Watch 116520<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n The Rolex Daytona has always had a tachymeter scale, which measures speed based on time traveled over a fixed distance. It appeared on the perimeter of the dial in earlier models, then was eventually transferred to the bezel to improve the dial\u2019s readability.<\/p>\n Materials used for the tachymeter bezel have also been varied through the years.\u00a0A black acrylic bezel was used on a sister reference of the inaugural ref 6234.<\/p>\n Second generation Rolex Daytonas have bezels made of precious metals, while the Cerachrom ceramic bezel was introduced in third generation models.<\/p>\n There are also rare and exclusive models with gem-set bezels, with the tachymetric scale swapped out for diamonds or other precious gems.<\/p>\n The first chronograph watches from Rolex were equipped with single push buttons on the side, eventually switching to pump chronograph pushers.<\/p>\n In 1965, Rolex equipped the Daytona with screw-down pushers to improve water resistance and robustness. These would eventually become integral to the design.<\/p>\n The Rolex Daytona has two upper, contrasting subdials at 3 and 9 o\u2019clock. The one at 3 o\u2019clock registers the minutes, while the one at 9 o\u2019clock registers the hours. The subdial at 6 o\u2019clock indicates the running small seconds of the watch.<\/p>\n Before the year 2000s, the running seconds sub-dial was at the 9 o\u2019clock position. It was moved down to the 6 o\u2019clock spot to give the dial a better balance along its vertical axis.<\/p>\n Most Rolex Daytona models are equipped with three-link Oyster bracelets, either in stainless steel, steel and gold, solid gold, or platinum. There are a few exceptions to these: vintage models with five-link bracelets, and modern 18k gold references that are fitted with either leather straps or Oysterflex rubber bracelets with matching gold clasps.<\/p>\n Over its 60-year history, the Rolex Daytona has undergone three major transformations. These are generally referred to as the three \u2018generations\u2019 of Rolex Daytona watches.<\/p>\n Rolex Cosmograph Daytona \u201cPaul Newman\u201d ref 6239 (photo: Christies)<\/em><\/p>\n Reference Numbers:<\/strong>\u00a06239, 6241, 6240, 6262, 6264, 6265, 6263 and 6269 \/ 6270 The original series of the Rolex Daytona had four-digit reference numbers and manual-wind movements. The movement sets this generation apart from the two succeeding series, which had self-winding movements. It was also during this generation that screw-down pushers and tachymeter bezels were introduced.<\/p>\n <\/a>Rolex Daytona Black Patrizzi Dial Steel Mens Watch 16520<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Reference Numbers:<\/strong>\u00a016520, 16523, 16528, 16518, 16568, 16519, 16588, 16589, 16559 and 16598 The second generation of the Rolex Daytona used five-digit reference numbers, and were the first to be equipped with self-winding movements. This generation is considered the transition of the Rolex Daytona from the vintage era to the modern era.<\/p>\n During this period, the following improvements were introduced:<\/p>\n These changes put the Daytona towards a contemporary standard. However, the movement has yet to become completely in-house, as the Caliber 4130 was based on the Zenith El Primero\u2019s Caliber 400 movement.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Rolex Daytona Steel ref 116520<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Rolex Daytona Ceramic Bezel 116500<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n Reference Numbers:<\/strong>\u00a0116500, 116503, 116515, 116505, 116508, 116518, 116519, 116509, 116506 The third generation of the Rolex Daytona was introduced in 2000, and remains in production today. This generation makes use of six-digit reference numbers, and were the first to be equipped with Rolex\u2019s in-house chronograph movement, the Caliber 4130.<\/p>\n The series introduced the following features that we see in Rolex Daytona today:<\/p>\n There is a broad range of Rolex Daytona watches available, but there are a few that have become cult classics. Here are the most popular Rolex Daytona models of the modern era.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n This model was introduced in 2013, marking the 50th<\/sup>\u00a0anniversary of the Rolex Daytona. To celebrate the occasion, this commemorative reference was crafted in the noblest of all metals \u2013 platinum.<\/p>\n The ultra-luxe material is hardly the norm for sport chronographs, and the prestige continues with its rich chestnut brown tachymeter bezel made of Cerachrom, Rolex\u2019s patented ceramic, and the glacier blue dial \u2013 a shade used exclusively by Rolex for its platinum watches.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n Rolex had first introduced the then novel Cerachrom bezel to its Everose (ref 116515) and platinum (ref 116506) models, and fans eagerly awaited for the stainless steel version.<\/p>\n When it was introduced in 2016, it became the most in-demand watch of the year, and until today has years-long waiting lists at authorized dealers.<\/p>\n What makes it so desirable is that it converges almost six decades of Rolex Daytona design in one watch.<\/p>\n Many of its traits are visual references to iconic Rolex Daytonas of the past (such as the ref 6263 and 6265), combined with advancements of modern Daytonas.<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n One of the most recent references to make waves is the green dial Rolex Daytona. Launched in Baselworld 2016, the watch is constructed in solid 18k gold and paired with a deep \u201cracing green\u201d dial and red \u201cDaytona\u201d text.<\/p>\n This sleeper hit had a slow start, until Grammy winning artist and known watch collector John Mayer showed off his own Daytona Green Dial in Hodinkee\u2019s\u00a0Talking Watches<\/em>. John picked it up when not many collectors would, and recognized its potential for being a future grail watch.\u00a0Today, it can be seen on many celebrities\u2019 wrists including Jonah Hill and Ellen, and many collectors can\u2019t wait to get their hands on this timepiece.<\/p>\n The Rolex Daytona is the most famous chronograph watch of all time, and one of Rolex\u2019s best-selling models. Here are answers to the most frequently asked questions about the Rolex Daytona.<\/p>\n The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is the brand\u2019s chronograph watch, introduced in 1963. It is characterized by a tachymeter bezel, screw down pushers, and three chronograph sub-dials.<\/p>\n Because of the great demand for Rolex Daytona watches, they have become a target for counterfeiters.<\/p>\n Each Rolex watch is made to the highest standards, and with top quality materials.<\/p>\n If even a minute detail comes across as shoddy, you can be certain that it\u2019s not the real deal.<\/p>\n When buying any luxury watch, it is essential to do research on your chosen model and reference.<\/p>\n If you are familiar with its most minute details, then you can more easily spot a fake.<\/p>\nAbout the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n
Key Features of the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n
TACHYMETER BEZEL<\/strong><\/h4>\n
PUSHERS<\/strong><\/h4>\n
CHRONOGRAPH SUBDIALS<\/strong><\/h4>\n
OYSTER BRACELET<\/strong><\/h4>\n
Three Generations of the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n
FIRST GENERATION (1963 \u2013 1988)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nMovements:<\/strong>\u00a0Manual Valjoux 72, Valjoux 722, Valjoux 727<\/p>\nSECOND GENERATION (1988 \u2013 1999)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nMovements:<\/strong>\u00a0Caliber 4030<\/p>\n\n
THIRD GENERATION (2000 \u2013 present)<\/strong><\/h4>\n
\nMovements:<\/strong>\u00a0Caliber 4130<\/p>\n\n
Popular Rolex Daytona Models<\/strong><\/h2>\n
ROLEX DAYTONA PLATINUM ref 116506<\/strong><\/h4>\n
ROLEX DAYTONA CERAMIC ref 116500<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
ROLEX DAYTONA GREEN DIAL ref 116508<\/a><\/strong><\/h4>\n
Common Questions About the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n
WHAT IS A ROLEX DAYTONA?<\/strong><\/h4>\n
HOW CAN I TELL IF MY ROLEX DAYTONA IS REAL?<\/strong><\/h4>\n