The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona.1963, Birth of a Horological Icon Timepiece
Cosmograph: a name that was to be the forerunner of great fortune. The birth of the
legend can be traced back to 1963. Actually, the choice of the name proved to be
neither easy nor expected, Whilst Rolex on the one hand flirted with the car-racing
world, on the other hand it could not remain unaware of the vast media attention,
which at that time was surrounding the conquest of outer space.
REFERENCE 6239 1ST SERIES ‘NERO’ DIAL. THE GRAPHIC LAYOUT IS EXPERIMENTAL,
WITH ONLY THE COSMOGRAPH SCRIPT PLACED UNDER THE TRADITIONAL ROLEX
DESIGNATION.ONE OF THE VERY FIRST DAYTONA’S IS THIS TROPICAL 6239 1ST SERIE WITH
TRANSITIONAL UNDERLINE WITH 922.9xx SERIAL NUMBER FROM 1963. See theThe first reference to be introduced was the 6239. The printed peripheral tachymeter
scale disappeared from the dial. In fact, this timepiece was sported a metal bezel
which carried the engraved scale. Initially released in stainless steel, it would later be
flanked by a gold version. With regards to the earliest models, the engravedtachymeter scale was graduated to 300 units per hour; subsequently, it would feature
a 200 units graduation. The dial exhibited contrasting colours: a black field and
silvered subsidiary registers, or a silvered field with black subsidiary registers.
CLOSE-UP PHOTOGRAPH OF THE TACHYMETER SCALE ENGRAVED ON THE BEZEL,
WHICH EXHIBITS A SAND-BLAST FINISH
STUNNING 6239 REFERENCE SHOWCASING A SILVERED SOLEIL DIAL WITH
CONTRASTING BLACK SUBSIDIARY REGISTERS AND INCORPORATING ORIGINAL
HANDS ‘UNUSUALLY’ ENAMELLED IN BLACK.EARLY ‘DAYTONA’ ON THE DIAL AT THIS REF 6239 WITH DOUBLE “T SWISS T”.These models were initially powered by a Valjoux 72B mechanism, which was the
same as the one housed in the previous 6238 reference. Subsequently, Rolex renamed
the caliber, first as 722 and then as 722-1. The mechanism was a traditional 13-lines
movement, bearing 17 jewels and equipped with a monometallic Breguet hairspring
balance, featuring a Kif shock absorber.THE ILLUSTRATED GOLD 6241 REFERENCE IS POWERED BY A 722-1 CALIBER, A
VALJOUX 72-BASED MECHANISM.
At the beginning of the Seventies, Rolex prepares the introduction of what will be the
definitive version of the manual winding Cosmograph Daytona. The 6239 reference
production was discontinued in 1969, although the marketing would continue
throughout the following years.FIRST 18K GOLD PAUL NEWMAN REF 6239 ABOVE.
The following 6240 and 6241 references displayed the new Hesalite bezel. The 6239
and 6241 references were then replaced respectively by the 6262 and 6264
references, both powered by the latest calibre 727 mechanism. Starting from
September 1970, the new 6263 and 6265 references were available from the Rolex
retailers. These models were released in either gold or steel. The difference between
the two references was substantially shown by the bezel: the first model displayed a
black acrylic insert featuring a printed tachymeter, whilst the second one sported a
metal bezel.SET OF 3 x “TIFFANY” DAYTONA ABOVE AND SO FAR UNIQUE PAN AM ROLEX OYSTER,
COSMOGRAPH REF 6263 BELOW.ROLEX PAUL NEWMAN SOLD AND SIGNED BY TEXAN DEALER “LINZ”.ROLEX OYSTER COSMOGRAPH QABOOS REF 6263.ROLEX OYSTER COSMOGRAPH RED OMAN REF 6263.
Throughout the Eighties, a very limited series of 6269 and 6270 references would be
produced: an 18 carat yellow gold watch case which displays both dial and bezel
embellished by a paved-set diamonds and sapphire applied hour markers. What is
surprisingly interesting is how during recent years, these models have steadily
gathered a growing interest which snowballed into a frenzy when it was announced
that these timepieces were to be discontinued.The Automatics Hit the Market.
In 1988, Rolex introduced the 16520 reference at the Spring Basel Watch Fair. The
most obviously ‘historical’ change is the switch from the former manual winding
movement to the new automatic mechanism. And, aesthetically speaking, compared
to the previous models it presented a totally new look.
The watch case of the ‘new’ self winding timepiece is always crafted in three separate
parts, whilst the bezel carries the engraved 1.000 base tachymeter scale - the first
series featured the 200 graduated scale, whilst the second one a 400 graduatedscale. The water resistance of both the Triplock winding crown and pushers is ensured
by means of a screw down system. The dial is available in two versions: a white field
with white subsidiary registers framed by black chapter rings, and in black with black
subsidiary registers featuring white outer tracks. The stick hour indexes and the hands
are skeleton-made and luminescent - originally tritium-filled and subsequently
replaced by SuperLuminova.
It immediately became a highly sought after icon with Rolex enthusiasts. In fact it was
the hardest chronograph to get on the market, and retailers had year-long waiting
lists. The production of this model officially ended in 2000.
The most important innovation of the present 116520 reference lays in its inner heart:
the new calibre 4130. The first chronograph mechanism entirely designed, developed
and manufactured by Rolex. Other updates concern some imperceptible aesthetics
changes such as the positioning of the pushers, the higher alignment of the subsidiary
registers, the shape and length of the lugs, the size of the hour indexes and the
introduction of the inner flange along the dial perimeter.
Throughout its many developing stages the Cosmograph Daytona has always
preserved its inner essence. It is no coincidence that this timepiece still today
represents millions of peoples ‘dream chronograph’, the trophy greatly sought after
over all five continents. Its success is without doubt far from being doomed. The
Daytona is like having a piece of history sitting on your wrist; being instantly
recognised it simply ‘stands out’ and is able to convey the typical Rolex style. In
conclusion, this is the essence of its success.Written by: Naomi Ornstein
Photo’s: Fabio Santinelli & Philipp Stahl with RPR watermark.
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