Rolex, globally renowned for its collection of highly sought-after timepieces, has introduced a fresh iteration of its iconic Cosmograph Daytona watch. This release commemorates the 100th anniversary of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans motor race.
The new 18k white gold chronograph version flaunts the trademark 'reverse panda' design, borrowing the unique square-shaped markers and tracks seen on the top-rated Paul Newman models. Rolex's cryptic marketing statement states, 'The dial's graphic design draws inspiration from a Rolex dial of yesteryears.'
Rolex's deep-rooted ties to motorsport can be traced back to 1933 when Sir Malcolm Campbell sported a Rolex Oyster as he drove his Blue Bird across Florida's Daytona Beach at an impressive 272 mph. Interestingly, Sir Malcolm insisted on purchasing the watch himself, a far cry from today's celebrity endorsement norms.
The watch, named after the Daytona International Speedway - a venue that has hosted NASCAR's Daytona 500 since 1959 - exemplifies Rolex's enduring association with racing. The company has been the chief sponsor of the Daytona 24 Hours since 1992, now known as the Rolex 24 at Daytona. Additionally, Rolex has been the official timekeeper of the world's oldest endurance race, 24 Hours of Le Mans, since 2001.
Earlier this year, Rolex revamped its Daytona line to mark the model's 60th anniversary, retaining the standard 40mm case size and introducing a new movement – the first significant update in over two decades. This LeMans anniversary special edition modifies the action to suit race fans, with the chronograph hours now spanning over 24 hours instead of the usual 12.
This piece features a punchy red '100' on the ceramic scale, signifying the race's 100th anniversary, and a white gold bracelet. An innovation debuted on the platinum 2023 Daytona version; the transparent sapphire case back allows a peek into the watch's movement.
Despite releasing a slew of highly desirable Daytonas in March, a 'Paul Newman' reverse panda dial version was notably absent. The watch will be available from July 1 at £43,000 - a must-have for discerning watch enthusiasts if they can get their hands on it.
For more information, visit rolex.com.
