The Rolex Daytona watch is one of the main jewels of this Swiss watchmaker. Born with the sportiest spirit, the Daytona model has become one of the most reliable chronographs in the world. Due to its precision, it is used by many high-competition athletes, especially in automobile circuits.
A Rolex Daytona watch is a piece that will accompany us forever. In this post, we will analyze its features and everything that makes the Daytona model a unique piece in the Rolex catalog.
Daytona, a name associated with speed
Daytona Beach is a city located northeast of Florida. Its fame comes from the first motor racing in its paradisiacal beaches, held in the mid-twentieth century.
Over time, the beach circuit was replaced by a traditional circuit in which competitions were held such as the 24 hours of Daytona or the 500 miles of Daytona, two of the most important races of American motorsport.
The Rolex Daytona watch has always been associated with speed. At the beginning of the 60s, Rolex considered the possibility of developing a chronograph adapted to the world of motorsport. Daytona was the perfect frame to show the passion for racing and the accuracy of the Swiss watchmaking brand.
History of the Rolex Daytona watch
The first Daytona was launched in 1963; since then the design and its interior have undergone very little changes, which make this model one of the most recognizable Rolex.
It’s a unique watch! Few watches can be compared in sportsmanship and complication. The best proof is that since the mid-60s, many professional drivers have achieved glory with a Rolex Daytona watch on their wrist.
From the beginning, they worked to measure time, but also speeds. To achieve this, a tachometric quick-read bezel model was developed, with which the pilot himself can check the speed at a glance.
Proof of its history and sporting spirit is that Rolex, and specifically this model, is one of the main sponsors of tests that are significant for speed, such as Formula 1.
The characteristics of the Rolex Daytona, a mythical clock
A sports model with the spirit of Rolex, these are the two premises on which the brand starts to offer a watch collection.
To review its characteristics is to walk through the history of 20th century watchmaking. To begin with, at first glance we distinguish three large-format counters, which are complemented by the tachometric bezel. What this model intends is that the precision in measurement of time and speed is absolute.
The second hand is ready to read eighths of a second, the inner spheres measure minutes and hours, and are prepared for long-term races like those held at Daytona today.
As for the caliber, one could say that we are facing an almost perfect machine. The chosen mechanism is a Caliber 4130, with vertical seizure to activate the chronograph. By means of two discs, arranged vertically one above the other, absolute precision is achieved with the chronograph second hand.
What was sought from its origin was to reduce components in the usual chronograph model. What are the consequences of this design? On the one hand, the box is reduced, on the other, less pieces mean more precision and fewer mechanical failures. In addition, the autonomy reaches up to 72 hours. A watch in this range is usually around 50.
The buttons are screwed when they are not going to be used, like traditional crowns. The start-up of the measuring mechanism is instantaneous from the moment the click sounds, so characteristic in these clocks.
In general, it is a precision sports machine that, perhaps, no watch of this type equals. It does not matter if you are going to use this Rolex model to measure your time in a classic speed race, or if you want to complete your Rolex collection. The sporting spirit of this watch and its taste for precision make it perfect for any wrist.
Daytona models, the materials
Rolex always respects its classics but seeks in each collection to offer added value. In the Cosmograph Daytona materials, we see to what extent sports watchmaking has reached the most exclusive market.
Rolex offers us boxes and belts in steel, steel and gold, rose gold, white gold and platinum; they offer luxury that favor your journey.
In models made of gold, an 18-carat alloy formed by 750 thousandths of pure gold is used. The formulas are exclusive to Rolex, and this model is completely manufactured in its own workshops, including the melting process.
The widest variety in men’s and women’s watches
Rolex offers a very varied collection within the Daytona model, both for men and women. However, none of these watches loses their essence and all are based on the same idea, a design that begins with a bezel with high precision tachymeter, three interior spheres complete the chronograph and three crowns of high precision.
There are very feminine designs with masculine lines. This is a timeless watch that travels from generation to generation measuring time in the most accurate way.
