Wanted Watches

Launched in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph is more widely known by its nickname, the Daytona. The first Cosmographs to leave Geneva (model number 6239 for the enthusiasts) featured movement 72b by Valjoux. Originally hand-wound, the Cosmograph first featured an automatic movement by Zenith with the release of model number 16520 in 1988. The last Cosmographs to feature Zenith movements were released in 2000, being replaced by model number 116500 which was the first Daytona to use an in-house Rolex movement.

 

So why the name Daytona?

 

The Cosmograph featured a unique, tachymetric scale on the bezel which allowed endurance racing drivers to calculate their average speed. Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway in 1962 and soon after its launch in 1963, the Cosmograph quickly became synonymous with its nickname derived from the Florida raceway.

 

A legend is born

 

With its tachymetric bezel the Rolex Daytona quickly found favour with legendary racing drivers like Jackie Stewart. But when Paul Newman sported a Daytona while he pursued his racing career, the model reached iconic status. And in 2017, his first Cosmograph – a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward – fetched $17.8 million dollars at auction.

​

If you want a Daytona, or you have one to sell, contact Wanted Watches today.