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Originally a watch Rolex could hardly sell, the Cosmograph Daytona has become one of the world’s most coveted models. Vintage references repeatedly top auction house expectations, Paul Newman’s Daytona held the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction for several years, and new models are almost impossible to come by without joining long wait lists. If you’re interested in the Rolex Daytona, old or new, we’ve got you covered in this complete guide, in which we’ll take you chronologically through all the important developments of what is arguably the most important chronograph ever produced.
Rolex Daytona Terms to Know
Cosmograph: This is the official name of the Daytona models from Rolex, and is found below the Rolex logo and name under 12-o’clock (most of the time, anyway).
Daytona: Added to the dials along with “Cosmograph” in the early 60s just after Rolex became the official timekeeper at the Daytona Florida raceway. It can appear large above the 6-o’clock subdial, smaller under “Cosmograph,” or not at all. “Daytona” has replaced “Cosmograph” in regular parlance globally, and referring to these as “Cosmographs” may sound odd to those in the know.
Threaded (Screw-Down) Pushers: A threaded locking mechanism on the chronograph activators (pushers) that improves the watch’s waterproofness. Though technically superior, many prefer unthreaded pushers for aesthetic, functional, or collecting reasons.
Paul Newman Dial: A dial variant with a contrasting outer seconds track, larger markers and an art-deco numerical font on the sub-dials. Manufactured by Singer and referred to originally as an “exotic dial” by Rolex.
