TIMEPIECES
racing with rolex
THANKS TO ITS UNMATCHED RELIABILITY, THE OYSTER PERPETUAL COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA HAS A LONG TRACK RECORD IN MOTOR SPORTS. Rolex has linked its fame with the word “Daytona” over the years, and that’s no accident. The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is perhaps the Swiss brand’s most iconic watch, adored and admired by celebrities and less-known collectors alike. The timepiece was created with racing and speed in mind, and it has come to be regarded as one of the world’s most reliable watches due to its roots with speed racing in Daytona Beach, Florida. How? In 1935, after breaking a speed record of 276 miles per hour in his car Bluebird V at Daytona Beach, Sir Malcolm Campbell notified Rolex that the watch he wore during that race was still running. The fact that this timepiece withstood speeds and temperatures not typically experienced by owners was a testament to its craftsmanship. From there, Rolex’s relationship with racing grew steadily and, in 1963, the company launched a new-generation chronograph, the Cosmograph, dedicated to race-car drivers. This watch has evolved over the years to become a legend, a cherished trophy for this race, a tribute to the winning driver’s skill and a must-have for a collector’s vault, eventually becoming known by the prestigious name Daytona. In 1992, Rolex formalized their long-standing association with
Daytona and Daytona International Speedway by becoming the official timepiece and title sponsor of the epic 24-hour endurance race held annually in January. In 2001, the brand became the official partner and the official timepiece of the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Rolex is also the timekeeper for Formula 1 Racing and will start its sixth season with F1 when its Grand Prix season begins in March. Meanwhile, three-time FIA Formula 1 Drivers’ World Champion Sir Jackie Stewart has been a Rolex Testimonee since 1968. Rolex is hardly adorning racers’ wrists with the same watches season after season. In 2009, the watchmaker introduced the Everose Daytona made with the brand’s exclusive 18K pink gold. It has calibre 4130 and the central sweep seconds hand allows an accurate reading of 1/8 second. As with all models, its Oyster case is nearly scratchresistant and waterproof to a depth of 100 meters. The diameter of the timepiece is 40mm and the bracelet features the Rolex-patented Easylink rapid extension system, which allows the wearer to increase the bracelet length by up to 5mm. In 2016, the watchmaker released the Cosmograph Daytona with a Cerachrom steel bezel. Gentlemen, start your engines.
Clockwise from top left: A 2016 “Paul Newman” Daytona, known as the “panda face” for its black-and-white dial, resembles the original 1963 model; an aerial view of Daytona Beach, 1955; the finish line at Daytona International Speedway; a glimpse of Daytona International Speedway during a stunning sunset, 2016; Sir Malcolm Campbell, with the Bluebird V in 1935, after reaching a speed of 301 mph; Sir Jackie Stewart, F1 racer and 50-year Rolex Testimonee, who competed in 99 Formula 1 Grand Prix races and won 27 of them.
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LUX BOND & GREEN
By Haley Longman
ACC.ss19.RolexRacing.indd 50
3/18/19 9:17 AM