As a result, whether made of Oystersteel, gold, or a combination of the two, the Daytona can withstand the rigors of daily life. The use of 18-carat gold provides durability and makes scratches easy to wipe away. Today, the Daytona is available in a combination of Oystersteel and 18-carat gold, Everose gold, yellow gold, white gold, or platinum. The Rolex Daytona was originally crafted in stainless steel, but over the decades, Rolex has made versions in precious metals, helping it evolve into a luxury watch and collector’s item. Rolex Daytona Steel White Dial Chronograph Mens Watch 116520 SPORTY CASE The aesthetics of the Rolex Daytona has evolved through the decades, but the following components remain: Whether they’re vintage or modern, all Rolex Daytona watches are sports chronographs used to measure elapsed time and calculate average speeds. Late 1960s: Actor and racer Paul Newman becomes a devotee of the Rolex Daytona “exotic” dial, often wearing it to his racesġ980s: Collectors give the nickname “Paul Newman” to this particular Daytona dial, and interest in earlier Daytona models grows among watch collectorsġ988: The second generation of Daytona watches are equipped with self-winding movementsĢ000: The third generation of Daytona watches are upgraded with Rolex’s first in-house chronograph movement, the Caliber 4130Ģ017: Paul Newman’s personal Daytona becomes the most expensive Rolex wristwatch ever sold at auction, amounting to $17.8 million In the same year, Rolex introduced the “exotic” dial, characterized by a contrasting outer seconds track, and Art Deco font on the chronograph registers The ref 6239 has its tachymeter scale engraved on the metal bezel to enhance the legibility of the dial.ġ965: The word “Daytona” first appears on the dial. 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.ġ935: British racer Sir Malcolm Campbell becomes the first person to drive over 300 miles per hour, while wearing a Rolex Oysterġ959: The Daytona International Speedway opens and becomes the home of the Daytona 500, the most prestigious and important race in NASCARġ962: Rolex becomes the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedwayġ963: The first Rolex Daytona watch is introduced. The Rolex Daytona’s long and rich heritage is marked by the following events:ġ903: The history of racing in Florida begins at Daytona Beach and Ormond Beach. These two characteristics still help define the Rolex Daytona’s aesthetics until today. 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. Many view the Rolex Daytona as the “Rolex chronograph”, but the brand actually began producing chronograph watches as early as the 1930s. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona White Gold MOP Diamond Dial Mens Watch 116519 In the meantime, let’s brush up on our Rolex Daytona knowledge with the help of SwissWatchExpo’s ultimate guide. The Rolex Daytona celebrates its 60 th anniversary in 2023, and fans are growing curious about how The Crown will celebrate this occasion. Today, it is widely considered as the most iconic chronograph – one that every collector wants in their watch box. With a little help from the legendary actor Paul Newman, and the increasing interest in vintage watches, the tides turned for the Rolex Daytona. Introduced in 1963, it was developed for professional race car drivers who needed a highly reliable tool to calculate speeds and measure elapsed time. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has gone from a watch that could hardly sell to a true industry classic.
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