To celebrate the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Rolex presents an original version of its legendary chronograph, the Cosmograph Daytona.
Rolex is celebrating the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race with an original version of its legendary chronograph. Crafted in 18 ct white gold, this new watch sports a Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic; on the tachymetric scale, the number ‘100’ in red ceramic evokes the race’s centenary. Standing out against the bright black dial are intense white counters whose graphic design is inspired by a traditional Rolex dial. The Oyster case is fitted with a transparent back and an Oyster bracelet.
This original timepiece is equipped with an exclusive movement, calibre 4132, which allows the hours of the chronograph function to be counted over twenty-four hours – another nod to the race – instead of the model’s usual twelve. This movement incorporates the Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, and bridges decorated with Rolex Côtes de Genève. The cut-out oscillating weight in 18 ct yellow gold is fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Like all Rolex watches, this special version of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.
AN ICON DEFYING TIME
The emblematic style and technical performance of the Cosmograph Daytona have cemented its iconic status well beyond the motor racing circuits. To mark the 60th anniversary of the watch, Rolex ensures the legend lives on by revisiting the entire range.
Rolex is presenting its new-generation Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, which has been updated across the entire range. The singular design of the case and face has characterized the chronograph since its launch, and has now been revisited with subtle refinements to a number of details. The dial receives new graphic balance, and harmonious colour combinations accentuate the contrast between the dial and the counters – or their rings. The Oyster case has been redesigned, and its profile is highlighted by the light reflections on the lugs and case sides. On versions with a Cerachrom bezel, the bezel is edged with a thin band of the same metal as the middle case.
From this year, the Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with calibre 4131. This new chronograph movement, an evolution of calibre 4130, incorporates a number of the major innovations that Rolex has brought to its movements, including the Chronergy escapement. Particular attention has been paid to aesthetics. The calibre features a cut-out oscillating weight and completely new finishes – notably on the bridges, which are embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, the brand’s reinterpretation of a well-known decoration in watchmaking. Calibre 4131 enables the Cosmograph Daytona to measure intervals of time via the chronograph function, in addition to displaying the hours, minutes and seconds.
A prestigious and iconic watch, the Cosmograph Daytona in 950 platinum now features a transparent case back as well as an oscillating weight made of 18 ct yellow gold.
Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.
SYNONYMOUS WITH SPEED
Launched in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the needs of professional racing drivers. Fitted with a tachymetric bezel and a high-performance mechanical movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, this now legendary chronograph is the instrument of choice for measuring time intervals and determining average speeds.
Through its name and functions, the Cosmograph Daytona is forever linked to the world of motor sport and, 60 years after its launch, continues to boast unparalleled status among sport chronographs.
HIGH-TECHNOLOGY CERAMIC
Rolex played a pioneering role in the development of special Ceramics for creating monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. Not only are these materials virtually scratchproof, their colours are also of a rare intensity and are resistant to environmental effects. In addition, thanks to its chemical composition, the high-tech ceramic is inert and cannot corrode. Rolex has developed exclusive expertise and innovative manufacturing methods that grant it complete independence in the production of these ceramic components.
Among the versions of the new-generation Cosmograph Daytona presented, the one fashioned in 950 platinum, recognizable by its ice blue dial, is equipped with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in chestnut brown ceramic. On the variant in Oystersteel with a white lacquer dial, and the watch in 18 ct yellow gold with a golden dial and bright black counters, the Cerachrom bezel is in black ceramic. The recessed graduations, numerals and inscriptions on the tachymetric scale are moulded then coated with a thin layer of platinum or yellow gold via a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process.
THE OYSTER CASE, SYMBOL OF WATERPROOFNESS
A paragon of robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case of the new-generation Cosmograph Daytona is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). The middle case of the versions presented is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, 18 ct yellow or Everose gold, or 950 platinum. Its case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement. The Triplock winding crown, fitted with a triple waterproofness system and protected by an integral crown guard, screws down securely against the case, along with the chronograph pushers. The crystal is made of virtually scratchproof sapphire and benefits from an antireflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimal protection for the movement it houses.
On the Cosmograph Daytona in 950 platinum, the case now features a transparent case back in sapphire with an anti-reflective coating, offering the opportunity to admire the decorations on the movement and the pivoting of the oscillating weight.
PERPETUAL CALIBRE 4131
The new-generation Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with calibre 4131, a chronograph movement unveiled this year, entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. A distillation of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement delivers outstanding performance in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability. It incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thereby also enhancing the movement’s reliability. It is engaged by a robust mechanism with a column wheel and vertical clutch, allowing an instantaneous and extremely precise start. The bridges of calibre 4131 feature a Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration, which differs from the traditional Côtes de Genève by the addition of a slight polished groove between each band.
Calibre 4131 incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, which combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks. It is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, increasing the movement’s shock resistance. The oscillating weight is fitted with an optimized ball bearing.
Calibre 4131 is equipped with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 4131 extends to approximately 72 hours.
OYSTER AND OYSTERFLEX BRACELETS
Among the versions of the new-generation Cosmograph Daytona introduced this year, the one in 950 platinum, recognizable by its ice blue dial, is fitted on an Oyster bracelet. The variant in Oystersteel as well as the yellow Rolesor version (combining Oystersteel and yellow gold), both of which sport a white lacquer dial, are also fitted on this bracelet. The 18 ct Everose gold version – with a bright black dial and Sundust counters – is similarly offered on an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet remains the most universal in the Oyster Perpetual collection and is known for its robustness.
The new version in 18 ct yellow gold with a golden dial and bright black counters is fitted on an Oysterflex bracelet. Developed by Rolex and patented, this innovative bracelet is made up of two flexible, curved metal blades – one for each of the sections – overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer.
The Oyster bracelet and the Oysterflex bracelet of the Cosmograph Daytona are both equipped with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. The Oyster bracelet features the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm easily. On the version in 950 platinum and that in 18 ct Everose gold, the bracelet also includes patented ceramic inserts – designed by Rolex – inside the links to enhance its flexibility on the wrist and its longevity. The Oysterflex bracelet, for its part, is furnished with the Rolex Glidelock extension system. Developed by the brand and patented, this inventive mechanism with a rack located under the clasp cover enables fine adjustments of the bracelet length, without the need for tools. The Rolex Glidelock on the Oysterflex bracelet has six notches of approximately 2.5 mm, allowing the length of the bracelet to be adjusted easily up to some 15 mm.
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona — ©Rolex/Alain Costa- Open lightboxDownloadShareAdd to bookmark
SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION
Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is covered by the Superlative Chronometer certification redefined by Rolex in 2015. This designation testifies that every watch leaving the brand’s workshops has successfully undergone a series of tests conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories according to its own criteria, following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). The in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after casing the movement, guaranteeing superlative performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of −2 /+2 seconds per day – the rate deviation tolerated by the brand for a finished watch is significantly smaller than that accepted by COSC for official certification of the movement alone.
The Superlative Chronometer status is symbolized by the green seal that comes with every Rolex watch and is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.
