Cosmograph Daytona
The chronograph that became a myth
The Daytona took almost twenty years to be understood — and is today the most coveted Rolex of all. A racing chronograph with a tachymeter bezel, whose waiting lists now outlast any racing season.
The evolution of the Cosmograph Daytona
In 1963 the Cosmograph appeared as Ref. 6239 with a tachymeter scale placed on the bezel — a functional decision that decluttered the dial and gave the model its face. The name Daytona refers to the race in Florida of which Rolex was official timekeeper.
The early manually wound models sold slowly. Only the association with Paul Newman, who wore a Ref. 6239 with an 'exotic' dial, elevated the reference to legend. His personal watch fetched 17.75 million US dollars at Phillips in 2017 — still one of the highest prices ever paid for a wristwatch.
1988 brought the Ref. 16520, the first automatic Daytona, driven by a modified Zenith El Primero. In 2000 came the Ref. 116520, fitted with the first fully in-house chronograph movement, calibre 4130.
In 2016 the steel Daytona received a black Cerachrom bezel — a nod to the black acrylic bezels of the 1960s. In 2023, marking the model's 60th anniversary, came reference 126500LN with calibre 4131.
- Case
- Oyster, 40 mm, Oystersteel, gold or platinum
- Bezel
- Tachymeter scale, Cerachrom or metal
- Function
- Chronograph with three counters
- Pushers
- Screw-down, Ring Command compatible
- Water resistance
- 100 metres
- Movement
- Calibre 4131, column wheel and vertical clutch
Key reference numbers at a glance
What to look for when buying
- 01
On vintage Daytonas, the dial decides almost everything. So-called exotic dials with Art Deco indices trade at a multiple of standard dials.
- 02
Early manual-wind references were frequently serviced with later parts fitted along the way. We check hand shape, pusher execution and movement number against the case year.
- 03
On modern references, completeness is decisive. Papers, box and unworn condition have a considerable influence on market price.
- 04
Platinum and Everose executions move in their own, less volatile market segment compared with the steel references.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona at Predeluxe
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