The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is deeply intertwined with the world of motorsports and has maintained its legendary status among sport chronographs even after 60 years after its inception
First held in 1923, the gruelling 24 Hours of Le Mans race in France is a 24-hour challenge considered one of the most prestigious and challenging races in motorsport. This year’s race is special as it marks the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. In June, the No. 51 Ferrari AF Corse tasted victory witnessed by some 325,000 spectators, with the Italian team holding up the trophy, the first since 1965.
To mark this occasion, record nine-time 24 Hours of Le Mans winner and Rolex testimonee Tom Kristensen presented the winning drivers with a specially engraved Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
The reward at the end of the race was the specially engraved Cosmograph Daytona presented by Rolex Testimonee Tom Kristensen. In his role as Grand Marshal, Kristensen says: “Standing here alongside the winners of this milestone edition was a big moment for me. My experience of the 24 Hours of Le Mans means I have even more respect for what these drivers and teams have achieved over 24 hours. After all, it is this race that brought me into the Rolex family and because of that Le Mans feels even more like home to me.”
Since its inception in 1923, the renowned endurance race has pushed human and technical capabilities to their utmost limits over a century. As the Official Timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001, Rolex proudly upholds the spirit of round-the-clock dedication that has elevated this race and its triumphant participants to motorsport legends. Demonstrating their unwavering commitment to automotive excellence, Rolex recently introduced the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, specially crafted to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans at the iconic Circuit de la Sarthe.
Kristensen adds: “When we see this unique Rolex Daytona, we see 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in one chronograph. It represents the dedication and teamwork, which makes me feel part of something greater. Ultimately, what brings us to these racetracks has remained the same throughout generations — passion, persistence, performance, perfect lap times and perfect timing. Le Mans started before me and it is something that will live forever.”
Rolex’s close ties with motorsport traces back to the 1930s when Sir Malcolm Campbell achieved remarkable World Land Speed Records, including being the first driver to surpass 300 mph (483 km/h) in his legendary car, Bluebird. Since then, Rolex’s presence in motor racing has flourished, expanding its support to prestigious endurance events like the Rolex 24 At DAYTONA, the 24 Hours of Le Mans and the FIA World Endurance Championship. The brand’s enduring presence in motorsport is a testament to its unwavering commitment and passion for the sport.
In 2013, Rolex forged a significant partnership with Formula 1, the pinnacle of motorsport, building upon their long-standing support for Sir Jackie Stewart, a cherished Rolex Testimonee since 1968. This collaboration expanded to include other accomplished figures from the world of motorsport. These notable individuals include Kristensen, the remarkable nine-time winner of the 24 Hours of Le Mans; Mark Webber, a distinguished Formula 1 race winner and the 2015 FIA World Endurance Champion; and Jenson Button, the esteemed winner of the 2009 FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ World Championship. Adding to this prestigious lineup, Jamie Chadwick, an impressive talent in the Indy NXT racing series and a three-time W Series Champion, joined the esteemed Rolex family as one of the sport’s most promising young female drivers.
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The 40mm Oyster case of the new-generation Cosmograph Daytona is guaranteed waterproof to a depth of 100m. The middle case of the versions presented is crafted from a solid block of Oystersteel, 18 ct yellow or Everose gold or 950 platinum
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Among the various timepieces in the Rolex collection, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona was chosen as the distinguished prize for the victors of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, and for a good reason. Originally introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was specifically crafted to cater to the demands of professional racing drivers.
This year, the timepiece is fitted with calibre 4131, a new chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. The new calibre incorporates several major innovations, such as the Chronergy escapement, which incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement that combines high energy efficiency with great dependability. Made of nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields.
The timepiece’s movement incorporates a blue Parachrom hairspring, carefully crafted by Rolex using a paramagnetic alloy. This innovative hairspring provides exceptional stability, even when subjected to temperature fluctuations, and offers remarkable shock resistance. Additionally, the movement features a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position.
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Version of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona created in honour of the 24 Hours of Le Mans centenary
To enhance shock resistance, the oscillator is secured Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, which deliver exceptional protection. Furthermore, the oscillating weight has an optimised ball bearing, ensuring smooth and efficient movement winding.
Particular attention has been paid to aesthetics with the calibre fitted with a cut-out oscillating weight and completely new finishes — notably on the bridges, which are embellished with Rolex Côtes de Genève, the brand’s reinterpretation of a well-known decoration in watchmaking. Calibre 4131 enables the Cosmograph Daytona to measure time intervals via the chronograph function and display the hours, minutes and seconds.
The updated Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona showcases a redesigned dial emphasising the striking contrast between the main dial, the counters, and their respective rings. The Oyster case has also transformed, with particular attention drawn to the interplay of light on the lugs and case sides. In models featuring a Cerachrom bezel, the bezel is complemented by a slim strip of metal that matches the middle case, creating a harmonious and visually captivating composition.
Rolex has been at the forefront of pioneering advancements in ceramic materials, specifically for crafting monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. These special ceramics offer exceptional scratch resistance, while their colours possess remarkable intensity and resilience against environmental factors. Furthermore, these high-tech ceramics are inert and impervious to corrosion due to their chemical composition.
To celebrate the milestone of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Rolex presents an original version of its legendary chronograph. The new version of the Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with calibre 4132, a chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex. This self-winding mechanical movement delivers precision, power reserve, convenience and reliability. It incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components to enhance the movement’s reliability.
Engaging the column wheel and vertical clutch provides the necessary power to the mechanism, ensuring an instantaneous and remarkably precise start. The bridges of the calibre 4132 showcase a Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration, distinguished by the inclusion of a subtle polished groove between each band, setting it apart from traditional Côtes de Genève.
The remarkable calibre 4132 enables the watch to display the chronograph function’s hours in a twenty-four-hour format, a truly innovative technical feature. Additionally, this movement incorporates the patented Chronergy escapement, renowned for its exceptional energy efficiency and reliability. Crafted from nickel-phosphorus, the escapement possesses remarkable resistance to strong magnetic fields.
The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring offers great stability in the face of temperature variations as well as high resistance to shocks, typically found in high-speed races. The timepiece has the Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position.
The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high performance Paraflex shock absorbers, and comes fitted with an optimized ball bearing. Thanks to its barrel architecture and the escapement’s superior efficiency, the power reserve of calibre 4132 extends to approximately 72 hours.
This eye-catching timepiece is made of 18 ct white gold, with a Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic; on the tachymetric scale, the number “100” in red ceramic evokes the race’s centenary. White counters are used in contrast to the black dial to give it a graphic design is inspired by a traditional Rolex dial. The Oyster case is fitted with a transparent back and an Oyster bracelet.
Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona carries the Superlative Chronometer certification, ensuring excellent wrist performance
