The Historical past of the Rolex Daytona, The Emblematic Racing Chronograph

This mannequin was the successor to ref. 6238, also known as the “pre-Daytona” chronograph. Two huge visible variations separated the fashions – the tachymeter was on the dial of ref. 6238 and engraved on the outer bezel of ref. 6239 (the place it stays as we speak), and ref. 6239 was the primary to have separate colors for the dial and sub-dials (panda and reverse panda kinds). 

Most 6239 bezels had a base 300 tachymeter (to measure speeds as much as 300 kilometres per hour), which quickly modified to a base 200 in subsequent fashions and is 400 as we speak. Earlier than the Cosmograph, Rolex chronographs had been very monochromatic and fewer sporty total (ref. 6238 had all black or silver dials, for instance). So, you’ll be able to say that ref. 6239 perpetually contemporized the model’s chronographs. As a aspect be aware, it was the Omega Speedmaster that first introduced the tachymeter to the exterior bezel in 1957 with the CK2915. 

Ref. 6238 was produced in small numbers from 1962 – 1968, so it lived alongside the Cosmograph/Daytona for a few years. It was very influential to ref. 6239 in some ways – the case dimension of 36mm, baton arms (after its early dagger-hand days), tri-compax dial structure and sub-dial dimension, pump pushers and crown are nigh equivalent between the 6238 and 6239. It must be famous that many take into account a case diameter of 37mm for ref. 6239 with the exterior bezel. Though the tachymeter was on the 6238 dial, the telemeter of earlier chronographs had been eliminated for a cleaner and extra legible design, additional establishing the components transferring ahead with the Daytona. 

Early 6239 fashions had a “double Swiss underline” dial, in any other case often called the Le Mans, in 1963. A line below Cosmograph meant tritium was used for lume (changing radium), though some radium might have nonetheless been current. Swiss was additionally printed twice on the backside, however one was virtually unimaginable to see because it was tucked below the rehaut. 

Ref. 6239 was among the many few Daytona fashions with pump-style pushers like ref. 6238, as most subsequent fashions adopted screw-down pushers and crowns for higher water resistance. Within the later a part of 1964, Daytona was added to the dial beneath Cosmograph on the prime, and the font dimension tended to fluctuate between small or a bit stretched out for “Huge Daytona” and “Small Daytona” dials. On late 6239 dials, Daytona moved above the 6 o’clock sub-dial in curvature. Some dials didn’t get Daytona in any respect as issues turned a bit scattershot. Cosmograph was printed slightly below ROLEX at 12 o’clock regardless, so technically, each Daytona is a Cosmograph, however is each Cosmograph a Daytona? An argument for an additional day (however the reply is sure).

The 6239 was supplied in stainless-steel or yellow gold, all with acrylic crystals. The Oyster bracelet turned normal for Daytonas in 1965. A few uncommon dial variances had been made as nicely. “Child Blue” had gentle blue Daytona textual content, whereas “Cherry Crimson” had gentle crimson Daytona textual content on a black or silver dial. These are actually prized by collectors as we speak. And YES, there are additionally the Paul Newman dials, however these will probably be mentioned additional down in its personal part.

Valjoux 722 Motion

Rolex used a base hand-wound Valjoux 72 column-wheel motion for the Daytona and upgraded it with a Breguet overcoil and free-sprung regulator (calling it calibre 722). This was used within the prior 6238 as nicely. It had a comparatively gradual beat charge of 18,000vph (2.5Hz), 17 jewels and a 48-hour energy reserve. There was a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a 12-hour counter at 6 o’clock and small seconds at 9 o’clock. This base chronograph calibre was the Daytona workhorse for many years. 

The Daytona Ref. 6240 (1965 – 1969)

This mannequin debuted quickly after ref. 6239, and the 2 had been produced concurrently till 1969. The main distinction right here was the change to the screw-down pushers and crown, which elevated water resistance to 100 metres, placing the Daytona on the identical stage because the Nineteen Sixties Submariner, Explorer and GMT. This variation ultimately led to the “Oyster” designation on the dial. The sporty vibe of the Daytona was now greater than pores and skin deep. Daytona textual content was once more below Cosmograph, like ref. 6239 with “Huge Daytona” and “Small Daytona” variants in white or silver/blueprint. Curved Daytona print above the 6 o’clock sub-dial was skipped with ref. 6240 and reappeared within the subsequent mannequin. Photos under by picture by Phillips.

Probably the most important visible change from ref. 6239 was using a black acrylic bezel insert for the tachymeter with white numerals (mainly the reverse of the prior silver (metal) bezel with black numerals). The identical hand-wound Valjoux 722 from ref. 6239 once more powered ref. 6240.

The Daytona Ref. 6241 (1966 – 1969)

This mannequin blended ref. 6239 and ref. 6240 into one other Daytona possibility – pump pushers like 6239 and black acrylic bezel insert like 6240 – and Daytona was most frequently printed in curvature above the 6 o’clock sub-dial (often in silver) with “Cherry Crimson” additionally accessible in restricted numbers. Ref. 6241 was largely aimed on the American market, and solely round 3,000 had been produced in stainless-steel or yellow gold (and fewer than 300 of these in 14k yellow gold). 

A extremely collectable variant is named the John Participant Particular, with a black and yellow gold color pallet to match the John Participant Particular System 1 workforce colors. A gold case and bracelet had been mixed with a black dial, gold sub-dials, and a black acrylic bezel insert. Daytona was printed in gold and curved above the 6 o’clock sub-dial. An exceptionally uncommon Paul Newman variant of this was additionally made, however extra on that later. 

In 1969, ref. 6239, 6240 and 6241 ceased manufacturing as the following Daytona technology launched in 1970. 

The Daytona Ref. 6262 and 6264 and Calibre 727 Valjoux (1970 – 1972)

These two references had been short-lived within the early Seventies and had been sequels to prior fashions. For instance, ref. 6262 was an replace to ref. 6239 with a metal tachymeter bezel, whereas ref. 6264 was an replace to ref. 6241 with a black acrylic bezel insert. Daytona was virtually at all times printed in curvature above the 6 o’clock sub-dial on each fashions. Ref. 6240, with its screw-down pushers and crown, was handed over for now, so Rolex was again to pump pushers for a few years as water resistance wasn’t but prioritized for the automotive racing-inspired chronographs. 

These are thought of (short-lived) transitional Daytona fashions that launched the following motion, the Rolex calibre 727, nonetheless based mostly on the Valjoux 72. The large change was an elevated frequency to 21,600vph (3Hz), whereas it retained 17 jewels and a 48-hour energy reserve. 

The Daytona Ref. 6263 and 6265 (1971 – 1988)

The subsequent two fashions, each launched in 1971, are among the many longest-running Daytona references (17 years) and arguably the very best recognized. Or most well-known. No matter you wish to name them, they’re actually legendary within the Rolex portfolio with such an extended manufacturing run and now everlasting addition of screw-down pushers, which was typically remarkable on the time outdoors of speciality items. They housed calibre 727 from the transitional fashions and solely ref. 6264 held on into 1972 (ref. 6262 was discontinued in 1971). With the screw-down pushers and crown dedication, these new references symbolize the start of the fashionable Daytona. 

The fashions had been in any other case much like earlier ones, most notably ref. 6240, which first launched the screw-down pushers and crown (and had Oyster printed on a relative handful of dials). Ref. 6263 and 6265 completely adopted Oyster on the dials below ROLEX. Ref. 6263 used the black acrylic bezel insert like ref. 6240 and 6241 (and the short-lived 6264), whereas ref. 6265 had a metallic bezel (metal or gold) like earlier fashions. For collectors, there are a lot of refined dial variances to select from. T Swiss T on the backside (for tritium lume) and no Daytona on the dial is called a pre-Sigma dial. So, what’s a Sigma dial? That has the Greek sigma (σ) image on both aspect of T Swiss T, which signifies using gold on the dial (often white gold for indices, and so forth.). Sigma dials didn’t have Daytona textual content, both. Then there are the uncommon “Cherry Crimson” and “Huge Crimson” dials, which had both gentle crimson or a thick, brilliant crimson Daytona printed in curvature over the 6 o’clock sub-dial. To confuse issues, some Sigma dials had been additionally “Huge Crimson” dials, so that they did have Daytona textual content. Like earlier Daytona options, issues had been a bit scattershot with out strict pointers. 

As we entered the Nineteen Eighties, 18k yellow gold fashions began getting “Superlative Chronometer Formally Licensed” on the dial below Rolex and Oyster, together with a correct certification doc. Curiously, the metal counterparts obtained neither the textual content nor the doc, and it’s not totally clear if metal Daytona 6263 and 6265 actions in any a part of the Nineteen Eighties had been formally COSC-certified. Rolex hasn’t stated.  

The Daytona Ref. 6269 and 6270 (1984 – 1988)

This pair of 18k yellow gold Daytona fashions was bejewelled with diamonds on the dial and bezel. They’re each very uncommon and often command seven figures amongst collectors. Solely Rolex and Cosmograph are printed on gold plates below 12 o’clock, as Daytona is absent totally. The distinction between the 2 references is the diamond lower – 6269 has brilliant-cut diamonds, whereas 6270 has baguette-cut diamonds on the bezel. After all, the diamonds substitute the tachymeter. Two examples under had been as soon as on the market at Amsterdam Classic Watches.

These remaining four-digit references actually spotlight the inconsistent and scattershot nature of the hand-wound Daytona period. All through this whole manufacturing timeline, references had dials with and with out Daytona print, and it was a relative crapshoot whether or not Daytona was curved across the 6 o’clock sub-dial or printed under Rolex below 12 o’clock. Then there was “Huge Daytona”, “Small Daytona”, “Cherry Crimson”, “Huge Crimson”, and so forth. Rolex does wish to have enjoyable and experiment. On the time, these anomalies had been typically ignored. If the mannequin occurred to be a “Huge Crimson” variant whereas a buyer was trying, so be it. The bezel sort, dial color and reference quantity had been the vital components. Solely as we speak do collectors prize the variations. Most shocking of all, this whole vary of Daytona watches (1963 – 1988) simply didn’t promote nicely. It’s honest to not solely name them unpopular on the time however even flops. Exhausting to imagine as we speak. 

The transfer to computerized, the Zenith Daytona Ref. 16520 (1988 – 2000)

That is the reference that really represented the fashionable Daytona, not in contrast to the Explorer’s leap from ref. 1016 to ref. 14270. For the Daytona, this was an excellent larger leap – the case went from 36/37mm to 40mm in diameter and gained a really completely different computerized calibre.  The dial aesthetic, accessible in black or white, considerably matured as nicely, with a lacquered end and sub-dials matching the dial colors with solely their outer tracks having a contrasting color. A sapphire crystal was now normal and the indices gained inside factors for a bit of fashion, and all bezels had been metallic (dropping black acrylic). This was the primary Oyster Perpetual Daytona with the automated calibre, which was mirrored in new dial textual content below Rolex. In reality, the dial obtained a bit text-heavy with 5 traces on the prime and Daytona above the 6 o’clock sub-dial in curvature (in crimson on each black and white dials). 

Early variants obtained nicknames such because the “floating Cosmograph” as that textual content was a lot decrease than the 4 traces above it. It was additionally referred to as the “inverted six” because the 6 on the 6 o’clock sub-dial was the wrong way up, resembling a 9. Early on, Rolex briefly eliminated Formally Licensed from “Superlative Chronometer Formally Licensed” to convey dial textual content to 4 traces on the prime and spaced Cosmograph in step with the opposite textual content, all for a cleaner look. Few of these had been produced and are sought by collectors as we speak. There have been additionally two white dial variants that had refined variations in lustre and dial print, with one resembling porcelain, however neither was separated by reference quantity or title. It was a curious anomaly that was considerably ignored on the time. Black Daytona dials from the mid-Nineteen Nineties ultimately degraded, with the sub-dials taking up a brownish color (not in contrast to tropical dials). These turned often called Patrizzi dials, named after Osvaldo Patrizzi, who was the founding father of the public sale home Antiquorum Auctioneers and first referred to as consideration to the patina. It was an unintended response of the varnish coating towards the metallic sub-dials. 

Ref. 16520 is the mannequin that lastly made the Daytona fashionable, and it’s gained an enormous following ever since, making it probably the most sought-after new Rolex watch as we speak. Quickly after launch, the Oyster bracelets obtained polished centre hyperlinks for the primary time to create a extra luxurious aesthetic, positioning the Daytona as greater than “only a instrument watch”. The clasp was modernized as nicely. This reference was the primary Daytona to have a two-tone yellow gold/metal “Rolesor” design (ref. 16523), and all gold variances obtained their very own reference numbers for the primary time. An instance is ref. 16528, which was yellow gold on an Oyster bracelet.

Calibre 4030 (modified El Primero)

It’s a bit shocking that it took this lengthy for the Daytona to develop into an Oyster Perpetual with an computerized motion, given the a lot earlier adoption by different fashions. That stated, growing an computerized chronograph calibre could be very difficult, with the primary ones debuting in 1969. It was the horological equal of the moonshot. So, calibre 4030 wasn’t but an in-house design and was based mostly on Zenith’s Calibre El Primero (calibre Zenith 400). It wouldn’t be till 2000 that Rolex developed its personal in-house chronograph with calibre 4130. As such, this reference is called the Zenith Daytonas.

Zenith’s motion was thought of the very best Swiss chronograph on the time, so the Daytona 16520 was in good arms. After all, Rolex wasn’t glad with merely putting in one other watchmaker’s motion, so that they stripped it down and made round 200 modifications, changing half of the unique elements within the course of. Main additions included a bigger free-sprung Glucydur steadiness and Microstella regulating system, and the date complication was additionally eliminated. The frequency was lowered from a excessive beating 36,000vph (5Hz) to twenty-eight,800vph (4Hz) to maintain it in step with Rolex’s COSC-certified portfolio. The 31-jewel column-wheel motion had a 54-hour energy reserve, up from the hand-wound calibre’s 48 hours, and was arguably the very best chronograph calibre of its day (relying in your view of 5Hz vs 4Hz). 

The transfer to in-house, the Daytona Ref. 116520 (2000 – 2016)

At an preliminary look, this subsequent reference regarded very similar to the final, however look nearer and there are important variations. For starters, that is the primary Daytona with a very in-house Rolex calibre, which modified the order of the sub-dials. The small seconds moved from 9 o’clock to six o’clock, buying and selling locations with the 12-hour counter, and all sub-dial placements had been barely altered (moderately refined). As of 1998, tritium was changed totally by Rolex to LumiNova, so all ref. 116520 fashions mirrored that change as nicely. Gold variances once more obtained their very own reference numbers, and the white gold mannequin (ref. 116519), which had specifically colored dials and matching lizard straps, turned often called the “Seaside Daytonas”. These dials included yellow or pink mother-of-pearl, blue lacquer and inexperienced hardstone. The Zenith Daytonas stay extra collectable than this primary spherical of in-house fashions, primarily as a result of dial variances and the motion itself, so ref. 116520 in normal kind is considerably of a discount on the second-hand market (in the event you take into account a beginning value north of $20,000 a discount, after all). 

Calibre 4130 in-house

5 years in improvement, Rolex’s first in-house, 44 jewels, vertical clutch, column-wheel chronograph had a streamlined design with 20 per cent fewer components than the earlier calibre 4030. Rolex lastly had a thoroughbred Daytona, and it actually didn’t disappoint. It maintained the 28,800vph (4Hz) frequency however elevated the facility reserve to 72 hours (from 54 hours with calibre 4030). The Parachrom hairspring debuted with this calibre and supplied extra resistance to shocks and temperature, and naturally, it was COSC-certified with an accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day. The automated rotor used ceramic bearings for the primary time, and a vertical clutch changed the horizontal/lateral counterpart of the 4030, eliminating backlash (small actions with the chronograph arms throughout begins/stops) for a extra correct stopwatch. 

Cerachrom Bezel

Whereas all metallic bezels dominated Daytona fashions since 1988 (after discontinuing black acrylic), ref. 116xxx introduced the black bezel again in 2011 with ceramic, in any other case often called Rolex Cerachrom. Preliminary ceramic fashions got here with leather-based straps however had been quickly offered with completely different choices (gold, bracelets, and so forth.). This was simply a few years shy of the Daytona’s 50^th anniversary, however for that, Rolex launched ref. 116506 – a platinum mannequin on a platinum Oyster bracelet with a brown Cerachrom bezel and blue dial often called the Platona. You’ll want deep pockets in the event you discover one. 

The Metal/Ceramic Daytona Ref. 116500LN (2016 – 2023)

The Daytona Ref. 116500LN went again to Daytona’s roots with a metal mannequin with traditional black or white dials paying homage to the ref. 16520 and a black Cerachrom bezel like ref. 6263 with its aesthetically related black acrylic. These metal fashions represented the shift to the Daytona’s unicorn standing. That they had already been tough to acquire and had been now nigh unimaginable to search out at retail. This metal ceramic reference stays the most well-liked up to date Daytona mannequin and likewise the most well-liked metal Rolex on the whole as we speak.

60^th Anniversary, The Daytona Ref. 126500 (2023 – Current)

The newest mannequin has undergone one other important redesign, each inside and outside. This hasn’t occurred since 1988 with ref. 16520 (the Zenith Daytona) when the case was enlarged to 40mm and acquired a completely new computerized calibre. The Rolex Daytona Ref. 126500 retains the 40mm diameter however has a extra refined case with softer traces and tapered lugs and a noticeable discount in thickness. The ceramic bezel additionally has a metallic ring across the perimeter (that’s really a part of the case itself), calling again the look of the sooner acrylic inserts. The traditional Oyster bracelet acquired a redesign with a tapered form to the outer hyperlinks to combine higher with the brand new lugs, together with improved articulation to take away visible gaps when on the wrist. The crown guard is now longer and higher built-in as nicely. The entire adjustments are comparatively refined and received’t leap out to the layman, however they’re a giant deal to Rolex connoisseurs. A variety of the redesign has to do with the brand new calibre, which allowed for the thinner case and flatter caseback – the case is now 11.5mm in top, which is a 0.5mm discount. Refined, however tangible. And the platinum mannequin (ref. 126506) acquired a primary for any Daytona: an exhibition caseback. 

The dial has a bunch of adjustments as nicely. The sub-dial interiors are bigger, making the rings just a little thinner, whereas the 18k white gold indices are a bit smaller, and the general placement/proportions have been modified. The snailed sub-dials from ref. 116520 at the moment are vertically brushed towards a sunray-brushed primary dial. The hour and minute arms are a bit wider, and Tremendous-LumiNova has been changed with Rolex’s personal Chromalight. Whereas lots has modified, the general Daytona vibe stays intact and the visible variations are once more refined. 

Calibre 4131

Rolex debuted its second in-house chronograph calibre with this reference that options its new, patented nickel-phosphorus Chronergy escapement working in tandem with the paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring. This enables for better effectivity, accuracy and magnetic resistance, making calibre 4131 a Rolex Superlative Chronometer with an accuracy of +/-2 seconds per day (nicely inside COSC requirements of -4/+6 seconds per day). A tiny Rolex coronet below the 6 o’clock index confirms that the watch carries the next-generation calibre. The motion is embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève and an openworked gold rotor for the platinum clear again. Rolex’s model of the Geneva stripes differs from the norm, with polished grooves between the bands, creating refined but arduous traces inside the ornament. 

The Paul Newman Connection

On uncommon events, a watch mannequin will get intimately tied with a celeb, and so they’re perpetually linked. A few examples are Elizabeth Taylor and Bulgari’s Serpenti and Steve McQueen and TAG Heuer’s Monaco. With Rolex’s Daytona, that celeb is Paul Newman. Though an Oscar-winning actor, Newman was also referred to as a racecar fanatic, profitable 4 nationwide championships in Sports activities Automotive Membership of America (SCCA) races with the Bob Sharp Racing Crew (driving Datsun/Nissan). His 1969 movie, Successful, introduced consideration to each racing (as his character Frank Capua vies to win the Indianapolis 500) and, finally, the Daytona. His co-star (and real-life spouse) Joanne Woodward had gifted him a 1968 Daytona ref. 6239 with an “unique dial” and Drive Rigorously Me engraved on the caseback. The Daytona and significantly the restricted Artwork Deco unique dial turned synonymous with the actor as he wore it steadily, though the 2 weren’t linked by collectors till the Nineteen Eighties. After his dying, the watch bought at Phillips public sale home for a report $17.8 million in 2017. 

The Unique Dials, a.okay.a the Paul Newman Daytonas

The “unique” Artwork Deco dials related to Newman had been unpopular on the time and horrible sellers. A small quantity had been produced and are acknowledged primarily by the sub-dials with uncommon Artwork Deco font and tiny sq. indices. Small blocks inside the outermost minute/chrono seconds observe changed the normal Daytona indices and authentic items got here with panda and reverse panda colors (white dial with black sub-dials or black dial with white sub-dials). The outer observe had crimson print and was a separate color from the primary dial (matching the sub-dials), in contrast to the uniform dials on conventional fashions and had been also referred to as three-colour dials. Newman’s well-known mannequin was ref. 6239 with a panda dial. Six Daytona references had been finally made with Paul Newman dials – 6239, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264 and 6265 – so manufacturing ceased within the Nineteen Eighties. 

Italian Collectors

Curiously, it wasn’t till the Nineteen Eighties that these turned fashionable when {a photograph} of Newman together with his Daytona was featured on the duvet of an Italian journal. That affiliation with each the Daytona and particular unique dial fueled curiosity, and its reputation steadily climbed, turning into often called the Paul Newman Daytona round 1988. Fashions got here in metal and generally gold, resembling a really uncommon ref. 6264 in yellow gold with a black or champagne dial (in panda and reverse panda kinds). Later references 6263 and 6265 in metal modified a bit in look by dropping crimson print for a two-colour dial. Sadly, Paul Newman dials are among the many most faked as we speak, so due diligence is required when contemplating a purchase order, particularly since Rolex fashions themselves are among the many most counterfeited of any premium model.  

It’s arduous to over-emphasize how unbelievable the fortunes of the Paul Newman Daytona modified over the many years, going from a gross sales flop that usually sat for years on retailer cabinets to one of the fascinating classic watches as we speak. On the time, Rolex outsourced dial manufacturing to Singer, who really made related “Paul Newman” dials for different manufacturers resembling Vulcain. Solely the Paul Newman Daytonas, nevertheless, reached cult standing because the others had been all however forgotten. Does any of it make sense? No, however that’s what makes the world of watch gathering so fascinating (and even infuriating), and the Rolex Daytona stands on the prime of the mountain as we speak, whether or not classic or new.