{"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

About the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\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

Key Features of the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\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

TACHYMETER BEZEL<\/strong><\/h4>\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

PUSHERS<\/strong><\/h4>\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

CHRONOGRAPH SUBDIALS<\/strong><\/h4>\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

OYSTER BRACELET<\/strong><\/h4>\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

Three Generations of the Rolex Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\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

FIRST GENERATION (1963 \u2013 1988)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Reference Numbers:<\/strong>\u00a06239, 6241, 6240, 6262, 6264, 6265, 6263 and 6269 \/ 6270
\nMovements:<\/strong>\u00a0Manual Valjoux 72, Valjoux 722, Valjoux 727<\/p>\n

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

SECOND GENERATION (1988 \u2013 1999)<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Reference Numbers:<\/strong>\u00a016520, 16523, 16528, 16518, 16568, 16519, 16588, 16589, 16559 and 16598
\nMovements:<\/strong>\u00a0Caliber 4030<\/p>\n

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