Get updated on the latest news from the watch world - Subscribe

DailyWatch MAGAZINE

Rolex Daytona History

Combining the most heroic of complications, the chronograph, with the most important watch brand ever gives you the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. We dive into the Rolex Daytona history.

Rolex Daytona History

Combining the most heroic of complications, the chronograph, with the most important watch brand ever gives you the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. We dive into the Rolex Daytona history.

Combining the most heroic of complications, the chronograph, with the most important watch brand ever gives you the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. We dive into the Rolex Daytona history.

Launched in 1963

Rolex launched Daytona in 1963 and the watch was immediately linked to the race track. This was a watch for race drivers and the Daytona name refers to the race track in Florida, where Rolex was official timekeeper. The affiliation of the brand with car racing has remained very strong over the decades, and until this day Rolex is the official Formula One timekeeper, amongst others.

Rolex Daytona History
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The Rolex Daytona history in 3 periods: the first era

Back to the Rolex Daytona History. It can roughly be divided in 3 periods. The first one, with the 4-digit reference numbers runs from 1963 until 1988. the references 6239 to 6265 all had manually wound and Valjoux-based movements, making it exceptionally reliable chronographs in the classical sense of the word and the looks.

The second era

The second era started with the introduction of the Daytona 16520 in 1988, and this was a big step forward, both in case size and design (it basically became the Daytona we all know today) and in movement. The automatic movement was a modified Zenith El Primero, one of the most heralded chronographs ever. The Daytona become more and more popular and the nineties showed the first signs of an unpopular but nowadays dominant Daytona feature: the waiting lists. 

The third era of the Rolex Daytona History

From 2000 onwards the six-digit reference numbers mark the third era, when Rolex introduced the reference 116520 with an all-new in-house movement. The path of evolution was followed and is followed until today, where the Daytona is constantly improved within the boundaries of the iconic looks. 

Rolex Daytona History DailyWAtch
Rolex Daytona

Why should you have a Daytona?

The Rolex Daytona is the archetypal Chronograph. It has gained its reputation as the archetype Chronograph for a reason. The looks are perfect and the constant evolution has made every single part of the watch perfect as well. Everyone appreciates the Rolex Daytona: it is simply on top of the world. Ask the most seasoned collector what his ultimate one-watch collector will look like and a Daytona will probably come to mind very soon.

Exceeding demand

To obtain a Daytona today is a hassle. Official retailers will probably have to disappoint you, as demand is structurally exceeding supply for a long time already. The secondary market can be a minefield, so “buying the seller” is an important element when you consider a Daytona. Checking the stock of our partner Watchbox might be a good idea. They have a constantly changing stock of great Daytonas at good market prices. We have selected two examples for you below.

Rolex Daytona

MORE ARTICLES

Chopard L.U.C’s sound of eternity

During Watches and Wonders 2022, Chopard launched three chiming timepieces. The Chopard L.U.C Strike One, L.U.C Full Strike Tourbillon and the L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire. Chopard further distingquished this trio of amazing pieces by differences in the complications and case materials. This makes each of them an exclusive stand alone piece. Each of the three […]

Ferdinand Berthoud Regulateur Squelette FB RS

As fans of independent watchmaking, we introduce you to the the Ferdinand Berthoud Regulateur Squelette FB RS The impressive legacy of Ferdinand Berthoud In 2015, when Chopard CEO Scheufele resurrected Ferdinand Berthoud as a new ultra high-end watchmaking brand, the name and the launching model Chronometre FB1 made clear what to expect: Exceptional traditional watchmaking […]

Innovative watches and the materials Quiz

Innovative Watches are not only existing from new complications. It's often the material that makes them stand out. Play the quiz, and be amazed by the innovative materials on the inside and outside, used by today's watchmakers.