As the global partner and official timekeeper of Formula 1™, Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is worth mentioning. So far, it has a long history of more than 50 years.

THE ORIGIN OF ROLEX DAYTONA
Daytona Beach is a city in Volusia County, Florida, United States. The city is historically known for its beach where the hard-packed sand allows motorized vehicles to drive on the beach in restricted areas. Since 1903, Daytona Beach has become the legendary city of creating continental speed record. The first Daytona Continental was held in 1962. One year later, Cosmograph Daytona was born. From then on, the holy racing land and Rolex Daytona watch has been keeping each other company.

THE FIRST ROLEX DAYTONA WATCH

Launched in 1963, the new generation chronograph for speed racer was named after Cosmograph. Its new technology and design have got an unexpected popularity as soon as it was launched. With the development of technology, Rolex Cosmograph got more titles, such as “Oyster”, “Perpetual”, “Daytona”, “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”.

 

PAUL NEWMAN DAYTONA
In 1965,Cosmograph Daytona has a further variation — Paul Newman Daytona. Paul Newman, the legendary actor and race car driver, is best known in the world of horology for a particular Rolex Daytona that he wore. Paul Newman Daytona upgrated better in technology and design. It used Screw-plug timing button to take the place of pump button. The screw-plug button made a finishing point for the Oyster case which could avoid being pressed by accident. Its scales on the sub-dials were different from the design of other Cosmograph Daytona. The sub-dial at the nine O’clock was crafted with fifteen, thirty, forty-five and sixty numbers which were differ from others’. Paul Newman dial is so popular that these models with it were often sold out although they were quite expensive.

A DEEP REFORM IN 1988
In 1988, excellent self-winding chronograph movement was adpoted, then the new generation movement, calibre 4030 was born. To suit new movement, More than half of parts were changed into proper ones for New Cosmograph Daytona. The appearance which was redesigned laid the foundation of today’s noble and elegant style for Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. The diameter of Oyster case increased from 36 mm to 40 mm, and additional shoulders protected the crown better. A wider speedometer was carved with 400 progressive scale units. Hands, hour scales and sub-dials were transformed as well, but modern face kept red “DAYTONA”.

CREATE A NEW SITTUATION IN 2000
In 2000, Cosmograph Daytona which was equipped with calibre 4130 created a new situation and guided the future fashion in the timepiece field.

DAYTONA’S FIFTY ANNIVERSARY
To celebrity fifty anniversary, the first Cosmograph Daytona watch with platinum and steel Oyster bracelet, ice blue dial and cerachrom bezel launched in 2013.

TWO INNOVATION POINTS: Rubber and Black Cerachrom
In 2017, Rolex released three new products, such as yellow gold model, white gold model and pink gold model. They are equipped with black rubber band and black cerachrom bezel. The combination of high-tech and aesthetics shows high performance.

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch which has a history of more than 50 years has been a classic legend and enjoys the high reputation at home and abroad.