Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Rolex Daytona Rainbow

Rolex Daytona Rainbow is one of the most popular and nicest-looking Daytona models available. The highly coveted timepiece is known for its stunning rainbow-colored gemstones. This watch is a true work of art and is sure to turn heads wherever it is worn.

Rainbow Daytona is made available in three different references. The most popular out of those is the 116595RBOW. It features an Everose Gold case and bracelet. The watch is also available in reference 116598RBOW and 116599RBOW featuring Yellow Gold and White Gold case, respectively. All these references feature 36 baguette-cut rainbow gradated sapphires.

The white gold and yellow gold models feature brilliant cut diamonds on the hour indices. The everose gold reference features baguette and square-cut sapphires on the hour indices. This makes the everose gold model look much more appealing than its yellow gold and white gold counterparts.

The timepiece has now been discontinued by the Swiss watch manufacturer. This means that the only way to get your hands on one would be through the secondary market. If you are looking for one, you can first take a look at the Rolex watch price in UAE for each of the Daytona Rainbow models

Rolex Daytona Panda

With the distinct choice of the color scheme used on the dial, the Rolex Daytona 116500LN received the nickname “The Panda.” The timepiece features a white dial, black Cerachrom bezel and black rings around the chronograph sub-dials. The watch clearly resembles the face of a panda.

The white dial with the combination of black sub-dials really helps the watch stand out. One of the reasons the Rolex Daytona Panda is so popular is that it is a versatile watch that can be dressed up or down. It can be worn with a suit and tie for a formal occasion or paired with jeans and a t-shirt for a more casual look.

Various Rolex Daytona models

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is available in a variety of combinations. Most Rolex watches including the Daytona are offered in stainless steel, yellow gold, white gold, rose gold as well as Platinum. Further, people get to choose between an Oysterflex bracelet or an Oyster bracelet. Lastly, the users also get the choice between various dials available. The combination that one picks really speaks about them. Here’s a more elaborate description on various case materials available.

Rolex Daytona Steel

Rolex Daytona is a sports watch and many people like getting it in stainless steel. This is because stainless steel durable and corrosion-resistant metal that is widely used in the watch industry. It is known for its strength and ability to withstand wear and tear, making it a practical choice for everyday wear. In addition to its functional benefits, stainless steel also has a sleek and modern look that is well-suited to the sporty design of the Daytona.

Rolex Daytona Gold

Another popular case material for the Rolex Daytona is gold. The Daytona is available in both yellow and white gold. Each of these variations adds a touch of luxury and sophistication to the watch. Gold is a precious metal that is known for its beauty and durability. It has been a popular choice for high-end watches including Cosmograph Daytona. However, it should be noted that gold is a softer metal than stainless steel. It means that it is more prone to scratches and dents.

Rolex Daytona Rose Gold

Rolex introduced the Daytona in Everose Gold back in 2008. It has since been one of the most prominent models in the Daytona series. Many appreciated the combination of Rolex Daytona Everose Gold with the Oysterflex bracelet.

The timepeice even looks a class apart with its Oyster bracelet. Besides that, you get to choose from 7 different dials. These include chocolate dial, black dial with diamond hour indices, meteorite dial and more.

Rolex Daytona Platinum

In addition to stainless steel and gold, the Rolex Daytona is also available in Platinum. Platinum is a rare and precious metal known for its durability and shine. It is a more expensive option than gold. But it is also less prone to scratching and discoloration.

Many watch enthusiasts call it the Platona, derived from the fusion of two words, Platinum and Daytona. Released in 2013 as a part of the 50th anniversary of Daytona, the Rolex “Platona” ref. 116506 is made of 950 platinum.

It features an ice-blue dial and a chestnut-brown ceramic bezel. It is also available with an Ice Blue dial featuring Arabic numerals. That particular version is made in limited numbers and it is only sold in the Middle East. It is a special watch for people especially living in Dubai.

Rolex Tiger Daytona

Rolex Tiger Daytona or Daytona Eye of the Tiger is a true work of art. The timepiece was sold in White Gold or Yellow Gold paired with the Oysterflex bracelet. Instead of a Cerachrom bezel, the timepiece gets trapeze-cut diamonds on its bezel. Furthermore, the watch gets a paved black lacquer dial that gives it the nickname. Rolex Daytona reference 116588TBR is currently exchanging hands for about AED 800,000.

Rolex Daytona Price

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most expensive models in the Swiss watch manufacturer’s catalog. The retail price of the timepiece starts at AED 59,250. Due to a huge demand, the watch is only made available to customers with a buying history with the brand. Even then, the brand will put you on a waitlist, which for Daytonas is now over 2 years.

In the secondary market, you cannot find an unworn Rolex Daytona Black dial steel model for less than AED 105,000. Here’s a quick glance at the retail prices and secondary market prices of various Rolex Daytona Models.

Rolex Daytona Vintage Price

Rolex Daytona tends to hold its value quite well. Even the Daytona watches from the 1980s are selling in the second-hand market for around AED 70,000. Even certain models like the Paul Newman Daytona can attract up to AED 2 million. Even though the watch belongs to the 1960s.

Rolex Daytona Green Dial for Sale

Rolex Daytona green dial is also known as the Daytona John Mayer. The timepiece is made completely out of 18ct Yellow Gold and it features a Green Dial. The combination of yellow gold and a green dial stands out. Even though the watch retails for AED 155,000, it is currently exchanging hands for around AED 270,000. At one point, they were even selling for upwards of AED 550,000 in the secondary market.

Rolex Daytona watches – Chronographs coming into the picture

While the Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most popular chronographs today, it was not the first chronograph from the house of Rolex. Before the launch of “Daytona,” Rolex released chronographs using outsourced movements. These were housed in conventional Oyster cases.

In 1955, Rolex introduced a more modern chronograph, designated Reference 6234. At the time, the Swiss watch brand was manufacturing approximately 500 of these per year. The particular model featured three smaller sub-dials.

The sub-dial on the 9 o’clock position marks the passage of seconds up to 60 seconds. The sub-dials on the 3 o’clock position and 6 o’clock position mark the passage of minutes up to 30 minutes and hours up to 12 hours, respectively. The reference 6234 also came with a tachymeter scale on the outer ring, and a telemeter chronograph scale on the inner ring.

From here, Rolex started to lay the foundation for what the Daytona watches are today. The Swiss watchmaker launched the reference 6238, which was a successor to the reference 6234. The new model dropped the telemeter scale and updated its appearance. The watch included many of the features that were then passed on to its successor Reference 6239.

Birth of the Cosmograph Daytona branding

Rolex Daytona branding pays homage to Daytona Beach, Florida, the world capital of speed. There were 14 world land speed records set in Daytona Beach between 1904 and 1935. Five of the records were achieved by avid Rolex-wearer Sir Malcolm Campbell. Over the years, the destination became popular for other sporting events including the Daytona 500.

In 1962, Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway. In order to mark the occasion, the Cosmograph Reference 6239 was introduced with the nickname “Daytona”. Interestingly, the original example of the 6239 did not include “Daytona” on the dial. Also, it was nicknamed “Le Mans” after the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race.

Rolex Daytona watch models that left a mark

Hundreds of Daytona models have been launched over the years. But there are certain models that were milestones and they layed the foundation for the watches to come. Even though the new Daytona models look more elegant and attractive, there is still a special place in the hearts of watch enthusiasts and collectors for some vintage Daytona models.

Here are the Rolex Daytona watch models that left a mark:

Reference 6238

Even though the Rolex reference 6238 is from the pre-Daytona era, it still helped in laying the foundation for what Rolex chronographs are today. The model came with monochromatic dials and baton hands.

Rolex 6238 was powered by the Valjoux 72 Calibre chronograph movement. It did not feature the Oyster case nor the screwed-down crown and buttons, which is part of the modern Daytona design.

First-ever Rolex Daytona watch

The Rolex reference 6239 was considered the first-ever Daytona. It was not officially named Daytona yet but it received the changes that gave it a sporty and more elegant appearance, for which the Daytona has become popular. This model also had the inverse colors for the sub-dials.

This particular model had a white dial and a black subdial. Alongside that, the timepiece also had a tachymeter scale on the bezel instead of the edge of the dial like the previous model. Initially, the bezel graduated up to 300 units per hour, which was later changed to 200 units per hour.

Rolex sponsored the 24-hour race at the Daytona International Speedway, which gave the watch its name ‘Rolex Cosmograph Daytona’ in 1964. Daytona finally appeared on the dial in the following year.

Exotic Dial Daytona

While this is not a particular model, it is more of a style that Rolex opted for. The exotic dial was made by Singer, which was a well-known watch manufacturer of the era. These dials have very distinctive features. The dials had an outer track that matched the sub-dials. It also featured block hour markers instead of the lines.

Initially, these dials failed to appeal to watch enthusiasts. It did eventually pick up popularity after getting endorsed by Paul Newman. The watches with such dials got so popular that they were referred to as Paul Newman dials. Since then, the watch models became desirable by watch enthusiasts and collectors alike.

Reference 6240

Until 1967, Rolex Cosmograph Daytona models were using pump-style pushers. Due to that, they were able to offer less water resistance. Rolex then introduced the reference 6240 and it came with screw-down style pushers. If you are not aware, “pushers” are the two buttons placed above and below the crown.

Coming back to the screw-down pushers, these held the two pushers in pace. They also increased the water resistance of the case finally bringing the Oyster name on its dial. This pusher style became so popular and it has become an integral part of the Rolex Daytona watch design. It is something that can still be seen in the Daytona models of today.

Self-Winding Caliber 4030

In 1988, Rolex introduced the next generation of Daytona watches. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of the Cosmograph Daytona series, this model also marked the first true change in a long time. The watch brought the use of a self-winding Caliber 4030. The automatic caliber came only after two decades of Daytona’s existence.

Besides that, it also got other updates that bridged the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona from the vintage era to the contemporary period. Rolex increased the case size of the watch to 40mm and the hour markers were changed from blocks to elongated arrowhead markers. The Swiss watch manufacturer also changed the look of the sub-dials from a fully contrasting color to just a contrasting timing clock. With these changes, the Rolex Daytona watch finally achieved modern standards.

Reference 116250

Rolex finally introduced a true in-house Calibre for the Cosmograph Daytona in the year 2000. The long-awaited change was implemented in reference 116250. It was the first every Daytona to feature the Caliber 4130 movement. It was designed to run efficiently in the simplest manner possible.

Caliber 4130 combined the two mechanisms which were separate in the Calibre 4030. The helped the timepiece to run more efficiently than the previous models. The 4130 also offered easy serviceability and it was a favorite among watch repairers.

How to use your Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most sought-after chronographs in the world. Rolex Daytonas were specially designed for the racing world. These watches not only tell the time but also have a chronograph feature that allows them to act as a stopwatch. These watches can measure events for up to 12 hours.

Using the chronograph feature in conjunction with the tachymeter found on the bezel, the watch can also be used to calculate both speed and distance.

Taking advantage of the chronograph

In order to use the chronograph feature, you will first have to unscrew the two pushers. These are screwed in place to give the watch water resistance. This is why it is advised not to go underwater when the pushers are unscrewed.

Upon unscrewing the pushers you just have to make sure that the seconds hand is stopped. If not, you can press the upper pusher to stop it manually. If you want to resent the chronograph seconds hand, just press the lower pusher. Now, pressing the upper pusher will both start the timing function and stop it when done timing.

Reading the elapsed time

To know the reading of the elapsed time in seconds, you can look at the center chronograph sub-dial. For the precise reading of the time elapsed in minutes, you can look at the sub-dial at 3 o’clock. You can also look at the sub-dial at 9 o’clock for precise reading of the elapsed time in hours.