Collector’s Guides • 16 Sep 2015

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The Ultimate Chronograph

Rolex Cosmograph_Daytona_116523_Men's watch/unisex_Automatic_4130 movement_chronograph_scratch-resistant_sapphire crystal_44 jewels_waterproof_screw-down crown_Yellow gold bezel_yellow gold luminous hour markers — The Cosmograph Daytona, introduced in 1963, was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. With its highly reliable chronograph and bezel with tachymetric scale, it allows drivers to perfectly measure average speeds up to 400 kilometres or miles per hour, as they choose. An icon eternally joined in name and function to the high-performance world of motor sport. (*Credits: Bobswatches*)

The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the consummate Rolex chronograph. Efficient, precise, legible, robust, reliable, waterproof and self‑winding, it is also comfortable, elegant, timeless and highly prestigious. Judging by the success and outstanding reputation worldwide of this peerless alchemy of form and function, it is considered in many respects to be the ultimate chronograph. Fifty years after its launch in 1963, this embodiment of perfection is the product of a long maturation process. Each inscription on the dial of a Rolex watch is a guarantee of performance; on this emblematic model, they were added one by one as the watch evolved. Solely “Cosmograph” at the outset, over the years “Oyster”, “Perpetual”, “Cosmograph”, “Daytona” and “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified” were added, chronicling a legend in watchmaking.

A New Calibre 4130

Rolex_Cosmograph Daytona_Calibre 4130 — The Cosmograph Daytona’s 4130 chronograph movement, entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex, is a distillation of the brand’s innovations and know-how. With its performance, precision and reliability, this marvel of technology has set a new standard for self-winding chronographs. (Credits: Rolexmagazine)

As a backdrop to the launch of an entirely new interpretation of the Cosmograph Daytona, it is difficult to imagine a more symbolic event than that of entering a new millennium. Introduced by Rolex in the year 2000, this new model – like the first Cosmograph in its time – embodied the chronograph of the future.

With calibre 4130, Rolex engineers managed to reduce by 60 per cent the number of components for the chronograph mechanism. They particularly simplified the minute and hour counter systems – traditionally two distinct mechanisms situated on each side of the movement – by integrating them into a single module judiciously placed on one side of the movement with an off-centre clutch. A patented solution which reduces from five to one the number of adjustments by excentric screws required to regulate the chronograph. It also saves space, making it possible to house a larger mainspring and thereby extend the power reserve from 50 to 72 hours. This mainspring, the energy source of the watch, can be replaced without the whole movement having to be disassembled. Additionally, the efficiency of the self-winding mechanism has been substantially enhanced, notably with a system of new‑generation reversing wheels that allow more efficient bidirectional winding.

The Hour Glass is an official jeweler and retailer for Rolex.

If you’re interested in the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, you can find more information by visiting us at any one of our boutiques, speaking with our Sales Consultant or simply click here.

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The Ultimate Chronograph

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