A FLAGSHIP MODEL OF ROLEX: ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA

In developing the Oyster and Perpetual, Rolex were top runners at
that time. And so in the field of pioneering chronographs, Rolex was considered
to be a novice. Contrary to this, the extremely successful Cosmograph
positioned Rolex of being the ultimate “sportsman's” watch.  Being in demand amongst some of the biggest
names in auto racing, in one of the largest racing communities of Daytona
Beach, Florida, these watches
were soon known as “Daytona”. Black with silver registers or cream white with
black registers were the colors of the dials in the original Daytona's. After
Paul Newman was seen sporting it in the movie “Winning”, these dials came to be
known as “Paul Newman”.

In the late 1930's, with the production of the two button
chronograph, a major breakthrough was made. With this feature people were now
able to stop their watches and restart it on the same time where it was left
off, without actually having to reset the time. Soon after this, the
“Zerograph” was manufactured in limited numbers.  Uncommon and rare, this 3462 model, was the
first watch to display the Oyster crown and was literally the turning point for
Rolex.

During World War
II, Rolex introduced its first true Oyster chronograph (model 4500).  Along with it came the 6232 and 3668 models
in which all had faced very limited success. 
The 6232 and 3668 were powered by the 13” Valjoux movement and featured
just a thirty minute register.  In 1949,
Rolex introduced model 5034 that featured the three button chronograph.  In the next two decades and after three more
models, the 6239 was introduced.  In
1965, model 6240 replaced 6239 and the 6241 by 6264 respectively.  Model 6240 was the first model to have
screw-down waterproof pushers along with the name “oyster” on the dial.  Earlier Oyster Chronographs had simple round
pushers with internal gaskets as the only sealing mechanism.  6240 was rated being waterproof to 165 feet
(50 meters).  In the early 70’s, model
6264 was replaced by 6265 and the 6262 by 6263 respectively. 

The first true
Oyster chronograph, model 4500 was launched during the Second World War.
Thereafter the 6232 and 3688 models were introduced, however they did not meet
with much success. These two models, the 6232 and 3688 had a thirty minute
register and both were powered by the the 13” Valjoux movement. The three
button chronograph, model 5034 was introduced in 1949. Subsequently after three
more models, during the next two decades the 6239 was introduced. Model 6240
replaced 6239 and the 6241 by 6264, in 1965. The first model to have screw-down
waterproof pushers along with the name “oyster” on the dial was model 6240. The
earlier Oyster Chronographs used internal gaskets as the only sealing mechanism
with simple round pushers. However, the 6240 was rated as being waterproof to
about 165 feet (50 meters).  Model

6265 replaced 6246
and 6263 was responsible for replacing 6262, this was in the 1970's.

In the year 1988,  a new
version of the Daytona, model 16520 was launched by Rolex. Rolex went ahead and
use the the new Zenith El Primero movement (Cal. 4030)
rather than using the Valjoux movement. Large subsidiary dials in black, white
or champagne with the name “Daytona” in red on the dial were featured on these
dials.  Available only in Model 16518
featured an exotic dial and bezel, was released in 1992. This watch

Rolex released the new version of the Daytona (model 16520) in
1988. Instead of using the Valjoux movement, Rolex went with the new Zenith El
Primero movement (Cal.
4030).  The dials on this watch featured
large subsidiary dials and came in black, white, or champagne with the name
"Daytona" in red on the dial. 
In 1992, Rolex released model 16518. 
This watch featured an exotic dial and bezel and was only available in
18kt yellow gold.   Model 16519 (white
gold) was released 5 years later. 
Finally, model 116520 was introduced in 2000.  Rolex added an extra 1 prefix to fit a
6-digit model number and this model was the first “in-house” movement for
Daytona’s (Cal. 4130).

The stainless
steel Daytona's continue to remain in demand and are still popular today,
making it the most sought of all the Rolex watches.

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