Rolex Cosmograph Daytona m116500ln-0001 PANDA

The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the ultimate tool watch for those with a passion for driving and speed.

Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. It is an icon forever joined in name and function to the high-performance world of motor sport. More than 50 years after its creation, the Cosmograph Daytona remains in a class of its own among sport chronographs and continues to transcend time.

Design

SYMMETRY
AND BALANCE

With its tachymetric scale, its three counters and its pushers, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to be the ultimate timing tool for endurance racing drivers. This chronograph allows the driver to measure elapsed time, which is displayed in hours, minutes and seconds on the dial.

The bezel features a tachymetric scale to read average speed over a given distance based on elapsed time. This scale offers optimal legibility, making the Cosmograph Daytona the ideal instrument for measuring speeds up to 400 units per hour, expressed in kilometres or miles.

The Daytona’s chronograph function is activated by pushers that screw down like the winding crown when they are not in use. One press to start, stop or reset the chronograph produces a crisp, clear click.

Features

A CHRONOGRAPH
MADE FOR
THE RACE CIRCUIT

Calibre 4130’s performance stems particularly from the use of a vertical – instead of lateral – clutch to activate the chronograph.

Cosmograph Daytona calibre 4130 closeup movement
This mechanical system functions on the principle of two discs, one above the other, which work together by direct friction contact and offer significant advantages: the precision of the start and stop functions as well as the smooth running of the chronograph seconds hand as soon as the pusher is pressed; and the capacity of the chronograph to function for long periods of time with no negative impact on the precision of the watch.

Cosmograph Daytona platinum bezel
The monobloc Cerachrom bezel in high-tech ceramic on particular versions of the Daytona offers a number of advantages: it is corrosion resistant, virtually scratchproof and the colour is unaffected by UV rays.

The Cosmograph Daytona is inextricably linked to the world of motor racing. It allows drivers to measure elapsed time and read average speeds on its trademark tachymetric bezel. The watch pays tribute to a place – Daytona, Florida – where passion for speed and racing developed in the early 20th century. The name embodies the historic and privileged bonds between Rolex and motor sport, which were strengthened in 2013 by the brand’s entry into the world of Formula 1® racing as Global Partner and Official Timepiece.

Universe

THE KINGS
OF SPEED

Racing driver Sir Malcolm Campbell’s famous Bluebird car
From 1903 to 1935, the hard-packed sand beach in Daytona, Florida became famous worldwide as the perfect place to beat speed records. No fewer than 80 official records were set there, 14 of which were for the fastest speed in the world. Daytona became known as the world capital of speed.

In March 1935, a World Land Speed Record of 276 mph (445 km/h) was set there by British driver Malcolm Campbell in his famous Bluebird. A few months later, he broke the 300 mph (482 km/h) barrier on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah. Since the early 1930s, the man known as the king of speed wore a Rolex Oyster. The first Rolex Testimonee in motor sport was already closely tied to Daytona.

Screw-down pushers and black tachymetric bezel in Plexiglas.
The Daytona International Speedway® opened in 1959, and Rolex has been the Official Timepiece of the circuit ever since. A few years later, to emphasize the brand’s connection to the American racetrack, Rolex gave its new model the name Cosmograph Daytona. Today, the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the race that tests the limits of man and machine for a complete 24-hour cycle, is referred to as “The Rolex”.