Rolex has announced a new version of its Cosmograph Daytona, the most lusted-after and hard-to-obtain watch in a catalogue entirely comprised of lusted-after and hard-to-obtain watches.
Released to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance motor race, the 18k white gold chronograph features the classic ‘reverse panda’ style layout, with the sub-counters using the same distinctive square-shaped markers and tracks found on those auction-shattering Paul Newman models.
‘The dial’s graphic design is inspired by a Rolex dial from the past,’ as the brand’s marketing material waspishly puts it.
Rolex’s connection to motorsport dates back to 1933 when Sir Malcolm Campbell wore a Rolex Oyster to motor his Blue Bird down Florida’s Daytona Beach at 272 mph. (In a sign-of-the-times that would baffle any sportsperson or celebrity today, Sir Malcolm refused to let Rolex pay for the watch, though the brand later used his endorsement in its advertising. ‘Rolex Watch worn during Record attempt still going splendidly not withstanding rough usage received – CAMPBELL’.)
The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona takes its name from the Daytona International Speedway, home to NASCAR’s Daytona 500 since 1959. Rolex became the title sponsor for the Daytona 24 Hours in 1992 – the race now known as the Rolex 24 at Daytona. In addition, the brand has been the official timing partner of 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest active endurance race, since 2001.
Rolex relaunched its Daytona line in celebration of the model’s 60th anniversary earlier this year, keeping the classic 40mm case size and adding a new movement – the first such update for 23 years.
The new Le Mans anniversary edition tweaks that movement further, so that the hours of the chronograph function are counted over a race-appropriate 24 hours, rather than the model’s usual 12.
On the ceramic scale, the ‘100’ mark has been coloured a punchy red – denoting the 100th anniversary of the race and matching the word ‘Daytona’ above the lower sub-dial.
The watch comes on a white gold bracelet and features a transparent sapphire caseback – meaning you can see the movement at work through the underside – something Rolex debuted on the platinum version of its 2023 Daytona earlier this year.
Though it announced a selection of drool-inducing Daytonas back in March, a ‘Paul Newman’ reverse panda dial option was not among them.
£43,000 and on sale from 1 July (though good luck trying to find one); rolex.com
