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rolex_cosmograph_daytona [03.07.2022 15:37] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +====== Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ======
 +{{wst>image_cr|Rolex|Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona|Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (steel)}}
 +
 +The **Cosmograph Daytona** is a sports [[chronograph]] by [[Rolex]], produced since [[1963]].
 +
 +===== Overview =====
 +Rolex introduced the "Cosmograph Daytona" in [[1963]], ten years after introducing their first [[Rolex Oyster|Oyster-case]] chronograph model. The watch featured the **Cosmograph** name on the dial, and Rolex chose to connect it with auto racing due to the [[tachymeter]] printed on the [[bezel]]. This was a distinct departure from previous Rolex chronographs, which located any such markings under the crystal, and became the signature feature of the Cosmograph model.
 +
 +The original watch was marked "Cosmograph" and marketed as the "Le Mans" in period advertisements. In [[1965]], Rolex began to use the "Daytona" name for the model, in recognition of the American racing mecca, Daytona Beach, Florida. This name also appeared on the dial for the first time, typically above the subdial at 6 00 rather than at 12 00 with "Rolex" and "Cosmograph". Over the ensuing years, the model has definitively become known as the "Cosmograph Daytona" or even just "Daytona".
 +
 +The distinctive characteristics of the model are the outer tachymeter bezel, simple bar markers, and trio of subdials arranged at 3 00, 6 00, and 9 00, usually presented in contrasting colors or with contrasting rings. Most Cosmograph Daytona models use the [[Oyster bracelet]], though some have been sold with a [[jubilee bracelet]] or leather [[strap]].
 +
 +The original Cosmograph Daytona models used a hand-winding movement from [[Valjoux]], but Rolex adopted the [[high-beat]] [[automatic chronograph|automatic]] [[Zenith El Primero]] movement in [[1988]]. In [[2000]], Rolex presented their first in-house chronograph movement, [[Rolex 4130|Cal. 4130]], in the [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500|Ref. 116500]] model. These modern watches share the distinctive look of the original Cosmograph of the 1960s and remain highly prized today.
 +
 +===== History =====
 +Rolex introduced their first [[Rolex Oyster]] [[chronograph]] models in [[1955]]. The original [[Rolex Oyster Chronograph 6234|Ref. 6234]] is widely considered to be a precursor to the Cosmotraph Daytona, though it lacks many of the distinctive features of that model. Produced until [[1961]], Ref. 6234 had an inner [[tachymeter]] and [[telemeter]] scale in most examples, along with the 3-6-9 arrangement of subdials typical of the [[Valjoux]] movements in wide use at the time.
 +
 +Most collectors consider the next Rolex chronograph, [[Rolex Chronograph 6238|Ref. 6238]], to be the true "Pre-Daytona" with modern [[baton hand]]s, faceted applied hour markers, and simplified monochrome dials. Importantly, the telemeter scale was removed, retaining only the racing-oriented tachymeter. The case was enlarged to 37 mm which visually pulled the subdials inside the hour ring, strongly suggesting the later Cosmograph. These watches included a customized version of the [[Valjoux 72]] hand-winding movement, which Rolex named 72 B at first and 722 after [[1965]]. This reference was used by George Lazenby while playing James Bond in //On Her Majesty's Secret Service// in [[1964]], lending the actor's name to the model. Ref. 6238 was not an [[Rolex Oyster|Oyster]], as it lacked a screw-down crown and waterproof [[pusher]]s. It was not until the [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6240|Ref. 6240]] of [[1965]] that the company would produce a waterproof chronograph.
 +
 +The first watch to bear the "Cosmograph" name was the [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6239|Ref. 6239]], introduced in [[1963]]. This model features the definitive characteristics that have lasted to this day, notably the tachymeter engraved on the outer bezel with the text, "units per hour" appearing at 1 00. It also featured the contrasting dial and subdials that has become iconic today, with either black on silver or silver on black versions. First advertised as the "Le Mans" Ref. 6239 adopted the "Daytona" name in [[1965]] and this would be scripted above the subdial at 6 00 on nearly every model since.
 +
 +In [[1965]], Rolex presented the first waterproof Cosmograph Daytona, [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6240|Ref. 6240]]. This featured a screw-down crown as well as screw-down pushers, earning it the [[Rolex Oyster]] name. It also featured a twist on the engraved bezel, adopting a plastic insert similar to the [[Rolex Submariner]]. These novelties, combined with a short production run ending in [[1969]], has made Ref. 6240 one of the most desirable for collectors today. A similar version, [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6241|Ref. 6241]], has the plastic bezel without the waterproofing.
 +
 +In the early 1970s, Rolex produced four different Cosmograph Daytona references with the updated [[Valjoux 727|Cal. 727]]. [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6262|Ref. 6262]] and [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6264|Ref. 6264]] were produced from [[1970]] through [[1972]] with simple [[pusher]]s and metal or black plastic bezels, respectively. Two waterproof Oyster versions were produced starting in [[1971]], [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6263|Ref. 6263]] and [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6265|Ref. 6265]]. The former featured the black plastic bezel while the latter has the engraved metal bezel. These were produced until [[1987]] with many examples featuring gold cases. A few rare diamond-set Cosmograph Daytonas were produced by Rolex in [[1984]], Refs. 6269 and 6270.
 +
 +An **Exotic Dial** Cosmograph Daytona has markers moved to an outer track around the dial, giving a plain, monochrome look overall. Actor Paul Newman received a Ref. 6239 from his wife, Joanne Woodward, in [[1972]], though he had owned a Ref. 6263 previously. He was often photographed with these watches, and the model, especially with the exotic dial, has become known as the "Paul Newman" ever since. Collectors today consider any Ref. 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 or 6265 with an original exotic dial to be a **Paul Newman** watch.
 +
 +Rolex radically changed the Cosmograph Daytona line in [[1988]], launching the [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16500|Ref. 16500 family]] with an [[automatic]] movement supplied by [[Zenith]] and a larger 40 mm case with a [[sapphire]] crystal. These new references specifically recalled the Ref. 6265 from the previous decade with an engraved metal bezel and screw-down crown and pushers, though [[crown guard]]s were added as well. Inside was the new [[Rolex 4030|Cal. 4030]] [[automatic chronograph]] movement, based on the famous and respected [[Zenith El Primero 400]] [[high-beat]] movement. The steel Ref. 16520 exceeded all expectations, becoming a modern classic. Rolex also produced a two-tone Ref. 16523 and all-gold Ref. 16528, both with [[Oyster bracelet]]s, and Ref. 16518 in yellow gold and Ref. 16519 in white gold with leather straps.
 +
 +At [[Baselworld]] in [[2000]], Rolex introduced their own in-house [[automatic chronograph]] movement, [[Rolex 4130|Cal. 4130]]. Although no longer a high-beat movement, this new calibre was thoroughly modern, with Rolex's own [[balance spring]], [[hacking seconds]], and power reserve of 72 hours. It featured just 290 components, less than most competing movements, making it easier to service. The new [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500|Ref. 116500 family]] had a similar appearance to the previous Ref. 16500 family but was thinner thanks to this new movement. The new movement also necessitated switching the chronograph hour and [[small seconds]] counters at 6 00 and 9 00, and the subdials are also moved up slightly, no longer even with the center axis. In addition to Ref, 116520 in steel, Rolex produced Ref. 116523 in steel and gold, Ref. 116528 in yellow gold, Ref. 116509 in white gold, and Ref. 116505 in [[Everose]]. The Cosmograph Daytona line was again updated at Baselworld in [[2016]] with [[Cerachrom]] bezels though the reference numbers remain the same.
 +
 +===== Versions =====
 +  * 1955-1961 - [[Rolex Oyster Chronograph 6234|Oyster Chronograph Ref. 6234]]
 +  * 1960-1968 - [[Rolex Chronograph 6238|Chronograph Ref. 6238]] "Pre-Daytona"
 +  * 1963-196? - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6239|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239]] First Daytona
 +  * 1965-1969 - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6240|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6240]] "Pre-Paul Newman" Oyster Daytona, plastic bezel
 +  * 196?-196? - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6241|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6241]] Plastic bezel
 +  * 1970-1972 - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6262|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6262]] [[Valjoux 727|Cal. 727]] Metal bezel
 +  * 1970-1972 - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6264|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6264]] [[Valjoux 727|Cal. 727]] Plastic bezel
 +  * 1971-1987 - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6263|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6263]] [[Valjoux 727|Cal. 727]] Oyster Daytona, plastic bezel
 +  * 1971-1987 - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 6265|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6265]] [[Valjoux 727|Cal. 727]] Oyster Daytona, metal bezel
 +  * 1988-2000 - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16500|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 16500 family]] [[Rolex 4030|Cal. 4030]]
 +  * 2000-present - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500 family]] [[Rolex 4130|Cal. 4130]]
 +
 +===== Current References =====
 +  * 2000-present - [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500|Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500 family]] [[Rolex 4130|Cal. 4130]]
 +    * Ref. 116500 - Stainless steel and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +      * Ref. 116520 - Stainless steel and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +    * Ref. 116503 - [[Rolesor]] and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +    * Ref. 116505 - [[Everose]] and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +      * Ref. 116515 - [[Everose]] and leather or [[Oysterflex]] strap
 +    * Ref. 116506 - [[Platinum]] and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +    * Ref. 116508 - [[Yellow gold]] and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +      * Ref. 116518 - [[Yellow gold]] and leather or [[Oysterflex]] strap
 +      * Ref. 116528 - [[Yellow gold]] and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +    * Ref. 116509 - [[White gold]] and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +      * Ref. 116519 - [[White gold]] and leather or [[Oysterflex]] strap
 +      * Ref. 116589 - [[White gold]] diamond set and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +      * Ref. 116599 - [[White gold]] diamond set and [[Oyster bracelet]]
 +
 +    * Ref. 116598 - Diamond-set rainbow and special-edition (116595, 116599)
 +
 +===== Video =====
 +  * [[Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Video]]
 +
 +===== References =====
 +  *[[Das ZEITGEFÜHL-Uhrenbuch]]; Author [[Gerd-Lothar Reschke]]; ISBN 3-938607-61-0
 +
 +===== Weblinks =====
 +  *[[http://www.uhrwald.de/daytona.htm|Die Geschichte des Rolex Cosmograph Daytona]] (German)
 +  *[[https://www.timeandwatches.com/p/history-of-rolex-cosmograph-daytona.html|History of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona]], Time and Watches
 +  *[[http://www.rolexmagazine.com/2010/02/2010-story-preview-complete-history-of.html|The Complete History Of THE ROLEX DAYTONA COSMOGRAPH]], Rolex Magazine, 2010
 +
 +
 +{{tag>Watch_models Chronographs Watch_classics Rolex_models Rolex_Cosmograph_Daytona_models}}
  
rolex_cosmograph_daytona.txt · Last modified: 03.07.2022 15:37 by 127.0.0.1

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