Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona “Le Mans”

The legendary race of the “24 Hours of Le Mans” is celebrating its 100th anniversary, a full century. Meanwhile one of Rolex’s most iconic models, the “Cosmograph Daytona” is celebrating its 60th anniversary, so a joint celebration makes total sense.And if that wasn’t special enough, Rolex embraced this opportunity to design the watch with its historic Paul Newman dial, which includes the so-called “exotic” counters.These are in fact two distinct races, but Rolex has ties to both. In regards to the Daytona International Speedway their collaborations led Rolex to become the title sponsor of the Daytona 24 hours in 1992, which is an event now known as the Rolex 24 at Daytona. As for the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex has been their official timing partner since 2001. For more information visit the official Rolex website and check out all twenty-four of the videos detailing the complete festivities.This case measures in at a 40mm diameter with a height of 12.20mm. The 18k white gold middle case has an overall polished finish, although we immediately notice the vertically brushed finish on the alternating bracelet links.On the flipside is a sapphire exhibition caseback that allows a view into the inner workings of the mechanical movement. It now comes equipped with caliber 4132, which is an upgraded version of the also recent caliber 4131. In order to accommodate the 24-hour display, Rolex had to craft a patented mechanism composed of seven components, capable of reducing the rotational speed of the gear train that turns the 24-hour hand.Mounted on the case is a fixed Monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic encircled by a band of 18k white gold. The bezel features a tachymeter scale with recessed graduations, numerals, and inscriptions coated with platinum via PVD. Plus to further highlight the special occasion this watch was created to celebrate, the number 100 appears in red ceramic, as a homage to the century of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. It comes equipped with a pair of screwed pushers to operate the chronograph functions, while nestled in-between them is a screw-down Triplock crown. All topped by a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Water-resistance can reach up to 100 meters (330 feet).Time is exhibited on a bright black dial with a subtle sunray-brushed finish and white gold applied hour indices, while circling around the flange is a printed white minute track. There are three white counters that make this a “panda” dial with: a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock, a sub-seconds at 6 o’clock, and a 24-hour counter at the 9 o’clock spot. This color scheme is one of the main highlights of this new release, as well as the square shaped markers, which first appeared on a special watch made for the actor Paul Newman. The 18k white gold central hour/minute hands feature a black lacquer marking, plus these hands, as well as the hour index markers have all been fitted with Chromalight, which is the Rolex version of a blue luminescent filling, for an even more enhanced legibility.

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona

This “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona” (Ref#: 126529LN) is powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical movement, caliber 4132 with 47 jewels, and 28,800 Vph. This timepiece meets the new Superlative Chronometer certification by Rolex, which guarantees a -2/+2 seconds a day count and a 5 year warranty. It comes equipped with a bidirectional rotor with ball bearings, a variable inertia balance wheel, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a Chronergy escapement. Power reserve can last up to 72 hours, when fully wound.Mounted on the watch is a 3-link bracelet in 18k white gold with polished center links and satin finished outer links, secured by an Oysterlock folding safety clasp with Easylink comfort extension link.   For more up to date information visit the official Rolex website here.

Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Cosmograph, Daytona, Le Mans, Paul Newman, Motorsports, Luxury Watches