Born to race

The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is an icon forever joined in name and function to the world of motor sport. Six decades after its creation it remains in a class of its own among sport chronographs.

An iconic model introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the needs of motor racing professionals. Fitted with a tachymetric bezel and a high-performance mechanical movement, this now legendary chronograph is the instrument of choice for measuring time intervals or determining average speeds.

Synonymous with speed

On the Cosmograph Daytona, the elapsed hours and minutes are shown on the counters at 9 and 3 o’clock respectively, and the elapsed seconds are read using the arrow-tipped centre hand and the 60-second scale around the dial.

The Cosmograph Daytona’s bezel, in metal or high-tech ceramic, functions as a tachymeter. Its scale can be used to read an average speed over a given distance, based on elapsed time. This makes it the ideal instrument for measuring speeds up to 400 units per hour, expressed in kilometres, miles, or any other unit of measure.

A chronograph made for the race circuit

The Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, offering a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. This movement incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thereby further enhancing its reliability. The chronograph is engaged by a mechanism with a column wheel and vertical clutch. This enables an instantaneous and extremely precise start to the timing.

Superlative chronometer certification

Like all Rolex watches, the Cosmograph Daytona is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories, according to its own criteria. The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.

The place, the legend

The Cosmograph Daytona is inextricably linked to the world of motor racing. The watch pays tribute to a place – Daytona Beach, Florida – where passion for speed and racing flourished in the early 20th century. From 1903 to 1935, the hard-packed sand beach in Daytona became famous as the perfect place to beat speed records. No fewer than 80 official records were set there, 14 of which were for the fastest speed in the world.

The Daytona International Speedway® opened in 1959, and Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of the circuit ever since. A few years later, to emphasize the brand’s connection to the American racetrack, Rolex gave its new model the name Cosmograph Daytona.

Over the decades, the brand’s presence in high-octane racing has grown steadily, its support extending to the leading drivers and events worldwide. For much of this historic journey, the Cosmograph Daytona has embodied the privileged bonds between Rolex and motor sport.

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Published on 24/10/2023