Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a world-famous chronograph watch first introduced in 1965 under the name ´Daytona´. However, it is not the first sports chronograph produced by Rolex. The Rolex Daytona has a long history before the famous watch was called Daytona. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most popular and hardest-to-get watches on earth due to its legendary status as a racing watch.

The history of the Rolex Daytona

Long before the Daytona name was used by Rolex, they were making chronograph watches. The first versions came from 1955 and had the reference 6234. These watches were 36 mm and had a telemeter and tachymeter scale and were a predecessor of the Rolex Daytona. After the 6234 came out the 6238 was already a lot more like the Rolex Daytona we know. This vintage model had a 37mm case, water resistance to 50m, and a similar dial to later Daytonas.

The Rolex Cosmograph

In 1963 Rolex released the Rolex Cosmograph, This is considered the first Daytona. Even though the name Daytona was not yet on the dial, this watch is considered the first true Daytona. The main difference from the earlier 6238 was that the tachymeter scale moved from the dial to the bezel. It was not until 1965 that the first watch was released with the Daytona name on the dial.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ´Exotic´ aka ´Paul Newman´

In the same year, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with an exotic dial was released. These were some references with a unique exotic dial. These versions were not popular at the time and did not sell well.

Paul Newman and the legendary Paul Newman Daytona

Someone who did appreciate the design was motorsports legend and actor Paul Newman. Paul Newman often wore his Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and was also frequently photographed wearing the famous watch. Later, even any Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with an exotic dial was called a Paul Newman Daytona. Today, these vintage Paul Newman Daytona watches have become extremely valuable and are the most popular models. In 2017, Paul Newman’s own Daytona was auctioned for a record sum of 17.7 million Swiss francs.

The modern Rolex Daytona

More popular than ever, the modern Rolex Daytona watches are selling like hot cakes. The Rolex Daytona is made in almost all metals including stainless steel, yellow gold, rose gold, white gold, and platinum. Although stainless steel and yellow gold have long been used for Rolex Daytona watches, the other metals are unique to the modern Daytona.  The platinum chronographs have a unique bezel made of brown ceramic and a dial in the color ´Ice Blue’.

The exclusivity of the Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most exclusive watches on earth and is extremely popular among collectors. Another reason why these Cosmograph watches are so exclusive is that Rolex keeps the availability of these watches very much under control creating scarcity. Because of this, collectors cannot just pick up a Daytona.

Features of the Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Daytona has a very recognizable design with the tachymeter scale on the bezel and the familiar Oyster case. In addition, except for some vintage Daytona’s, the chronograph function is equipped with screw-in buttons designed for extra water resistance. The Rolex Daytona is also equipped with a screw-in crown and comes with a very high-quality movement designed by the best watchmakers.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in brief

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most exclusive watches ever made and is highly sought after by collectors. The name Daytona comes from the motorsports world of one of the most famous race tracks on earth, in Florida. Daytona watches are now more popular than Rolex Datejust watches, a trend that is likely to continue in the future. The sports watch has taken on a rich history and legendary status.