In 1963 Rolex decided to name its project for a steel three-counter chronograph with a tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel. It wanted to give a soul to what we know as reference 6239, but without clashing with what its most important competitors in this then highly technical segment were already doing: Omega with its Speedmaster, Heuer with Carrera, Monaco, Sebring. The choice was so difficult, that the first models (the "double Swiss," with the first visible at the bottom of the six and the second hidden under the flange) were marketed with a dash under the Rolex Cosmograph inscription. The choice was made between two names: Daytona and Le Mans. In favor of the former went the crowned company's desire to push its new chronograph as far as possible into the American market. The feeling with Le Mans did not disappear, however; on the contrary, it has remained intact to this day.
The Cosmograph Daytona introduced in 1963, was also designed to meet the needs of motor racing professionals. Equipped with a bezel with a tachymeter scale and a until 1987 with a Valjoux hand-wound mechanical movement, then from 1988 with an intergrated automatic chrono derived from the El Primero, and finally from 2000 to the present with a caliber entirely made in-house. What collectors are most passionate about is that sixty years after its launch, this chronograph still retains its status as a sports chronograph with a thoroughly personal appeal.
The year 2023 had opened with important news for this collection: to coincide with the watch's 60th anniversary, a complete evolution of the watch was unveiled, covering both aesthetics and all technical components. First, today the dial exhibits a new graphic balance with resized hour markers and revised counter rings. Thanks to color and finish combinations, the contrast is accentuated between the case back, the counters and/or their rings. The result is a Daytona with a more harmonious and modern look. With the new case design today it features flowing and elegant light lines on the sides of the case middle. In the case of the declinations equipped with a ceramic Cerachrom bezel, the thin edge of the latter is made of the same metal as the case middle. But this was not the only change. Inside we find the new integrated chronograph movement Caliber 4131, entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex and the natural heir to Caliber 4130. Unveiled this year, it incorporates some of the major innovations the Geneva-based company has made to its movements: Chronergy escapement to reduce energy losses, Paraflex shock-absorbing device to preserve the heart of the movement, and optimized ball bearing to improve automatic winding. Caliber 4131 also features an openworked oscillating weight and, on the bridges, an exclusive Côtes de Genève Rolex decoration, a reinterpretation of a decoration emblematic of traditional Swiss watchmaking.
After this momentous news, I thought that to wait for some more news on this model, we would have to wait years, and instead once again, the Geneva-based maison has managed to amaze everyone, competitors and collectors alike, by presenting a declination of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona made in honor of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the famous endurance car race. Rolex, Official Watch of the event since 2001, wanted to celebrate this symbolic anniversary with a special version of the timepiece where the design and movement refer to this legendary race.
Mind you, this is perhaps the first time Rolex has made a special event series. Until now we had seen custom ones for Tiffany or Cartier, or for Oman, for the UAE, for tech companies like Comex. In this case it is different. The watch goes into the collection and free sale, just like all the other references. That it will then be difficult if not almost impossible to find is another matter, but one that involves almost all variants of this iconic chronograph. But let's see together the most important features.
The new Daytona "Le Mans" reference 126529 LN (retail price 51,700 euros). is made exclusively in white gold with a black ceramic Cerachrom bezel, protected in its outer perimeter by a thin rim also made of white gold. On the tachymeter scale we find the number 100 in red, a clear reference to the centenary of the race. All numbers and graphics on the tachymeter scale are hollowed and colored by platinum deposition using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) technique, except for the number 100 filled with red ceramic. On the dial, the "panda" graphic of the counters is inspired by that of the celbre Paul Newman dial. As for the Oyster case, it has a transparent case back, which in the "normal" series is mounted only on the platinum case. The Oyster bracelet of this one is equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp with a folding clasp that prevents any unintentional opening and features the Easylink quick extension link, which allows its length to be easily adjusted by about 5 mm. In addition, it incorporates Rolex-designed and patented ceramic inserts within its links that improve its smoothness on the wrist and durability.
While until now we have only observed "aesthetic" changes from the new model presented during the last Geneva Salon, when we delve into the movement the situation changes completely. In fact, this model houses the new caliber 4132, based on caliber 4131, which allows the hours of the chronograph function to be counted over twenty-four hours, instead of the usual twelve on this model. This was made possible by a patented additional mechanism, composed of seven elements, comparable to a differential revisited by the crowned house. This gear reduction system, called the planetary gearbox, makes it possible to halve the rotational speed of the gear train that drives the twenty-four-hour hand. The device is an extraordinary demonstration of the know-how of Rolex's engineers, and its shape allows it to be integrated into the movement without having to change the architecture of the latter. In fact, the mechanism simply replaces a drive wheel and its operation has no impact on the performance of the watch.
Rolex has long rewarded the winners of the 24 Hours of Le Mans (as well as other motorsport, sailing, or in the world of golf or horseback riding) with personalized Daytona's on the case back. Rising to the top step of the podium after racing relentlessly day and night, Ferrari drivers will also receive an Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona and lift the centennial trophy. It should be highlighted that the watch given as a prize is in steel and "not" is the special series one in platinum.
The 2023 edition was a truly exciting race: the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans will forever be remembered as one of the most extraordinary challenges at the legendary "Circuit de la Sarthe." On June 11 at 4 p.m., Ferrari AF Corse number 51 won in front of an impressive 325,000 spectators. From Saturday 10 to Sunday, the champions etched their names in the history of motor sports and won the first victory for the Italian team since 1965. The crew of the winning Ferrari 499P was composed of James Calado (UK 1989) official Ferrari driver since 1984: Alessandro Pier Guidi (Tortona 1983) official Ferrari driver since 2017, a graduate in mechanical engineering; Antonio Giovinazzi (Martina Franca 1993) who raced in Formula One in 2017 with Sauber and from 2019 to 2021 with Alfa Romeo.
Awarding the three drivers with the watch was Rolex testimonial Tom Kristensen: "Being here alongside the winners of this important edition was a great moment for me. My experience of the 24 Hours of Le Mans means that I have even more respect for what these drivers and teams have achieved in 24 hours. After all, it is this race that brought me into the Rolex family, so Le Mans makes me feel even more at home."
