Few brands occupy the same niche High-end watches like Rolex. Since its inception in London in 1905, the luxury Swiss watch brand has been a mainstay in the watch market, leading the industry with a history of firsts.
Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf chose to move the business to Geneva, Switzerland – the beating heart of luxury watchmaking – where the brand would establish itself as the ultimate symbol of precision, craftsmanship and timeless style.
Whether it’s creative SubmarinePresident’s Day, or Major’s Day GMT Master IIThere is a Rolex watch to suit everyone. Although the global luxury market has faced some volatile headwinds recently, brands like Rolex will remain the exception to the rule; Rolex will always have the attention of the world’s watchmakers.
In this Rolex Daytona condition.
Rolex Daytona 2024 features
| specification | details |
|---|---|
| price | US$15,100 (~AU$23,800) |
| Case diameter | 40 mm |
| Materials | Oystersteel (904L stainless steel) |
| Jobs | Time, chronograph functions (seconds, minutes, hours) |
| Ordering options | White or black |
| bezel | Fixed ceramic Cerachrom bezel with tachymeter scale |
| a movement | Rolex Caliber 4131 (automatic, 72-hour power reserve) |
| Water resistance | 100 meters / 330 feet |
| Bracelet | Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp and convenient Easylink extension |
Rolex Daytona: a history
Officially named Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph DaytonaThe Rolex Daytona has a rich history intertwined with motorsport, celebrity culture, and innovation in watchmaking.
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In 1962, Rolex became the official timekeeper of the tournament Daytona International Speedwayhome of the Daytona 500, the most famous race in the world nascar Season, and more poignantly, 24 Hours of Daytona.
“At Daytona, it’s all about the watch. If you win it, it stays on the shelf. The money goes in the bank. But if you win a Rolex with ‘Winner’ engraved on the back, you wear it every day.”
Scott Pruett, American race car driver
The first model ever was introduced to the public in 1963. Similar to the Rolex Submariner, it was designed to focus specifically on loyal fans of the brand, as a professional tool for racing drivers. The first version was equipped with a tachymeter scale on the bezel to measure speed, a reliable chronograph movement and the legendary “Daytona” name written on the dial.
The rest, as they say, is history.
Rolex Daytona in popular culture
Daytona’s cultural significance is enormous, thanks in part to the American actor and race car driver Paul Newmanwhose personal ownership of a specific reference (Reference 6239, now called the “Paul Newman Daytona”) elevated the model to legendary status.
The Paul Newman Daytona is arguably one of the most iconic Daytona watches ever made, and was part of the first generation of watches to hit the market.
Newman reportedly received the watch as a gift from his wife, Joan Woodward, in the late 1960s or early 1970s, and was often photographed wearing his favorite watch from the front seat of his car. On the back of the box was written a charming message from his wife that said, “Drive carefully, Anna.”
When Newman’s personal Daytona was auctioned in 2017, it fetched more than US$17 million, making it one of the most expensive wristwatches ever sold, and cementing the Rolex Daytona’s status as more than just a watch, but an enduring piece of manufacturing history. Watches.
Iconic Rolex Daytona design
The first Rolex Daytona was easily recognizable by the key features carefully placed throughout. The 6239 was one of the first Rolex watches to feature the tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel rather than printed on the dial. It was a key design element that highlighted this piece’s racing pedigree, prioritizing legibility and function for racing drivers, ensuring the main dial stays tidy.
Typically, the main dial comes in black or white, paired with sub-dials in the opposite color for striking contrast. This iconic two-tone aesthetic was merely a design choice to enhance legibility, but has since become a hallmark of the Daytona, dubbed “the Panda” by collectors.
Made famous by Paul Newman’s personal watch, the ‘exotic dial’ was a bold experiment undertaken by Rolex to cater to a more niche audience – although its limited availability only added to its inherent appeal. At the time, collectors and watch enthusiasts weren’t exactly desperate to get their hands on this particular model, which is probably why so few were made. Only when Paul Newman immortalized his Daytona in the history books did it gain legendary status in watchmaking.
Rolex Daytona movement
When compared to other Rolex models, the Daytona features a chronograph complication, a feature absent in other major Rolex lines such as the Submariner, Datejust, or Explorer. before
The Zenith El Primero movement was the driving force behind this iconic model, and earlier Daytonas used the Valjoux 72 movement, a hand-wound movement that arguably pioneered the chronograph market at the time.
Rolex improved the finishes, modified the Valjoux escapement to improve the accuracy of the Daytona, and modified materials to improve durability. The Swiss brand later renamed it Caliber 72B: a combination of the collective efforts of Rolex and Valjoux to produce the finest chronograph movement.
Of course, modern iterations have moved on to the Zenith El Primero movement of the 1980s, but earlier iterations still maintain a romantic appeal for Rolex fans who view these models as the pure expression of this legendary collection.
Where to buy a Rolex Daytona
Besides the official Rolex store, other secondary Rolex retailers also handle used samples from the Daytona line. These are the places you should look for in Australia and online.
Sydney
LK boutique – 38-46 Martin Place, Sydney NSW
Swiss concept – 90 Pitt Street, Sydney New South Wales
J. Farren Price – Shop 2, St James Centre, 80 Castlereagh, Sydney Street NSW
Nicholas Hako – Suite 403, Level 4, Coolwala Chambers, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW
Hardy Brothers – Various locations
Melbourne
Rolex boutique – 85 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Kennedy – Crown Towers, Shop 17/8 Whiteman Street, Southbank VIC
Hour glass – 252 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” (1963) Ref. 6239
An original Daytona and the first watch to feature an exotic “Paul Newman” dial, the aforementioned 6239 holds a lasting place in the legacy of not only the Daytona collection, but also in the multi-layered history of the Rolex brand. Distinguished by its Art Deco sub-dial numbers and contrasting color scheme, the Paul Newman watch was a symbol of the first chapter of Daytona, influenced by the excitement inherent in the Daytona racetrack and American motorsports.
It featured a fabric bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale, the now-famous contrasting sub-dials, and the exotic “panda” or reverse panda dials. Paul Newman wouldn’t be seen without it and it quickly became an important part of his identity. After his death, his model was sold at auction, achieving US$17.8 million in 2017.
Rolex Daytona “Big Red” (1971) Ref. 6263
The Rolex Daytona is presented in a 37mm stainless steel case. The 16520 has been immortalized in history for one striking feature: the word “Daytona” engraved on the white or black dial. It’s seriously eye-catching, and has earned this particular model the nickname “Big Red.”
This reference represents the evolution of the Rolex Daytona into the more powerful sports watch we see today. Although it still retains the vintage charm of the collection that was prevalent during previous editions, this model was released in 1971 and had an uninterrupted continuation until the late 1980s. Perhaps if he had the same celebrity endorsement as Paul Newman, he would be talked about more.
Rolex Daytona “Zenith” (1988) Ref. 16520
The first automatic Daytona powered by Zenith’s legendary El Primero movement, a highly technical and complex chronograph movement, this Rolex Daytona marked the transition to modern mechanics in watchmaking.
The size has been increased to 40mm and a sapphire crystal dome has been introduced for better protection. Mostly, this version revived the Daytona’s popularity when it debuted in 1988, amid faltering popularity. It has been famously worn by celebrities such as Eric Clapton and John Mayer, which of course helped establish this piece as a cornerstone of the Daytona line – a modern bridge between old and new.
Rolex Daytona (2016) Ref. 116500 litres
Powered by Rolex’s in-house caliber 4130, an automatic chronograph movement introduced in 2000, the Rolex Daytona (ref. 116500LN) is considered by many to be one of the most precise and refined chronograph watches on the market.
It featured a scratch-resistant Cerachrom frame, greatly updating the Daytona’s aesthetic for the 21st century, while maintaining an illustrious past when vintage aluminum frame designs were very much in vogue.
At the time of release, this model had an immediate impact on Rolex’s popularity (not that it needed a boost). Waiting lists that became a running joke in the watch world stretched for years, with enthusiasts desperately trying to get their hands on the modern 116500LN for their collections, and it quickly became a symbol of exclusivity and luxury in contemporary watch culture.
Rolex Daytona (2013) Ref. 116506
Crafted entirely from platinum, this watch is the first Daytona to be produced in this extremely luxurious metal in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Daytona. It is undoubtedly one of the most expensive Rolex Dayton watches available today.
Its 40mm dial maintains the standard of modern Daytona releases, but the 116506 Cerachrom bezel, in contrast to the icy blue dial, represents a stunning expression of Rolex that has captured the attention of collectors for years.
Of course, the Daytona is revered for its deep connections to the world of motorsport, but 2013 represents a conscious pivot away from the dour pragmatism of previous models, and takes a firm position in the contemporary luxury car market. This is certainly a fascinating piece for today’s horologists.