Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

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Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Cosmograph Daytona
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Born to race
La Cote des Montres - May 3rd, 2021

Rolex is presenting three exclusive versions of its Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, the benchmark for those with a passion for driving and speed.

All three feature a dial made from metallic meteorite – a rare natural material from outer space – with black chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.

The version in 18 ct white gold is fitted with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic with a tachymetric scale, and an Oysterflex bracelet. The other two watches, one in 18 ct yellow gold and the other in 18 ct Everose gold, have a metal bezel with a tachymetric scale and are on an Oyster bracelet. A stand-out visual feature of the Cosmograph Daytona since its launch, the iconic tachymetric scale is moulded into the first watch’s Cerachrom bezel and engraved on the metal bezels of the other two versions.

The new versions of the Cosmograph Daytona are equipped with calibre 4130, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology.

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.

The Cosmograph Daytona is an icon forever joined in name and function to the world of motor sport. More than 50 years after its creation it remains in a class of its own among sport chronographs.

Meteorite dials

With its origins in the far reaches of the solar system, the material which adorns the dial of these new Cosmograph Daytona watches – metallic meteorite – comes from an asteroid that exploded millions of years ago. On the voyage between planets, fragments of this natural extraterrestrial material, primarily composed of iron and nickel, cool by a few degrees Celsius every million years, creating unique, distinctive crystallization within the material that is impossible to recreate on Earth.

Metallic meteorite is rare and challenging to work with, but once it is cut into thin sections and a chemical treatment is applied, the great beauty of its interwoven internal structure is revealed. These fascinating and varied formations are known as “Widmanstätten patterns”.

For its dials, Rolex works with leading experts in the field and selects only the sections of meteorite with a particularly well-formed surface rich in different shapes and reflections.

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.

The new 18 ct white gold Cosmograph Daytona features a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic with a tachymetric scale. The moulded, recessed graduations, numerals and inscriptions are coated with platinum via PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition).

The Oyster case

Symbol of waterproofness

A paragon of robustness and reliability, the Cosmograph Daytona’s 40 mm Oyster case is guaranteed waterproof
to a depth of 100 metres (330 feet). Its middle case is crafted from a solid block of 18 ct white, yellow or Everose gold. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically screwed down with a special tool that allows only Rolex watchmakers to access the movement.

The winding crown, fitted with the Triplock 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. The waterproof Oyster case provides optimum protection for the watch’s movement.

Perpetual Calibre 4130

The new versions of the Cosmograph Daytona are equipped with calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex that was released in 2000 and introduced on the model the same year. A consummate demonstration of technology, it incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thereby 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 movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position.

Calibre 4130 is equipped with a self-winding module via a Perpetual rotor and offers a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

Oysterflex
and Oyster bracelets

The new 18 ct white gold Cosmograph Daytona is fitted with an Oysterflex bracelet, which singularly combines the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the flexibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap. Developed and patented by Rolex, this innovative bracelet is made up of flexible metal blades manufactured from a titanium and nickel alloy. The blades are overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer, a material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects and very durable. For enhanced comfort, the inside of the Oysterflex bracelet is equipped with longitudinal cushions.

The new 18 ct yellow gold and 18 ct Everose gold versions of the Cosmograph Daytona are equipped with an Oyster bracelet. Developed at the end of the 1930s, this three-piece link bracelet is known for its robustness.

The Oysterflex and Oyster bracelets on the Cosmograph Daytona feature the Rolex-designed and -patented Oysterlock safety clasp, which prevents accidental opening. They are also equipped with the Easylink comfort extension link, developed by the brand, which allows the wearer to easily adjust the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm for additional comfort in any circumstance.

On the 18 ct Everose gold version of the watch, the Oyster bracelet includes ceramic inserts inside the links to enhance its flexibility and longevity. In addition, a concealed attachment system ensures seamless visual continuity between the bracelet and case.

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. These 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 the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (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.