Cosmograph Daytona product history and timeline

Cal.72B
Power reserve approximately 50 hours Water resistance 30m Case size 37mm

A historical model that is the predecessor of Daytona. It is also known as the Pre-Daytona, and the word "chronograph" is engraved on the dial. The tachymeter is housed inside the dial, and unlike current Daytonas, it features subdials that are the same color as the dial, but it still has the universal style of the original Daytona, including a 30-minute register, 12-hour register, and small seconds. is more established than this model, and is well known and popular among many antique Rolex models.

Cal.72B・Cal.722・Cal.722-1
Power reserve approximately 50 hours Water resistance 30m Case size 37mm

Daytona's first model, associated with motorsports, was the first to instill the current image of Daytona. As for the bezel, Ref. 6239 is made of stainless steel, and Ref. 6241 is made of plastic, both of which are popular models that symbolize Daytona. This model is also famous for being worn by the legendary actor Paul Newman, and the Paul Newman model is known as a very expensive watch.

Cal.72B・Cal.722・Cal.722-1
Power reserve approximately 50 hours Water resistance 50m Case size 37mm

Ref.6240 is widely known as a rare Daytona that was only produced for a few years before the birth of the third generation Daytona, and many mysteries still remain. The Daytona's weak point, its low waterproofness, was successfully increased to 50m by using the screw lock system, in other words, the Oyster design. It is also the first time that the word "OYSTER" is written on the dial, making it a very rare model in Rolex history.

Cal.727
Power reserve approximately 50 hours Water resistance 30m Case size 37mm

Although it was a successor model to Ref. 6240, it did not have an Oyster case and was not practical, so it was manufactured for about a year. However, a new movement for the Daytona, Cal.

Cal.727
Power reserve approximately 50 hours Water resistance 30m Case size 37mm

This model, which can be said to be a complete hand-wound Daytona that brings together all the successes and failures of the past, is equipped with the Cal727 movement inherited from the short-lived but famous Ref.6262/Ref.6264, and the Ref.6240. In order to improve practicality, we introduced a screw-lock type Oyster case that is waterproof to 50 meters, combining both precision and waterproofness. It was a pioneering model of luxury practical wristwatches, and made the Daytona name known to the world, which continues to this day.

Cal.4030
Power reserve approximately 50 hours Water resistance 100m Case size 40mm

Even today, more than 40 years after its release, the Daytona is equipped with Zenith's "El Primero", which is known as the world's best chronograph movement with a vibration rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour and a power reserve of 50 hours, making it an automatic Daytona. The windshield, which had previously been made of plastic, has now been replaced with a sapphire crystal, and advances in detail technology have led to a major change in waterproofness, from 50m to 100m. The current case size of 40mm started from here, and became the spark of the so-called lug sports boom. With the birth of Ref. 16520, Rolex and Daytona made a huge leap forward.

Cal.4130
Power reserve approximately 72 hours Water resistance 100m Case size 40mm

Finally, by improving the technology that Rolex had steadily built up, they succeeded in developing their own movement starting with this Daytona, and became a completely in-house manufacturer. The general design of its predecessor, Ref. 16520, remains the same, but the layout of the subdials inside the dial has been changed, and there are also changes such as a small seconds at 6 o'clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o'clock. Another great feature of the in-house movement, Cal.4130, is that the power reserve was extended to 72 hours, although at that time the power reserve was generally around 50 hours. Although it is a common length nowadays, Rolex's high level of technical ability is firmly established here.

Cal.4130
Power reserve approximately 72 hours Water resistance 100m Case size 40mm

This is the current model of the Daytona, and while retaining the character of past Daytonas, it uses new materials that suit modern watchmaking. In response to the increasing number of watchmaking brands in recent years that use materials not found in traditional watches, such as carbon, ceramic, and titanium, this watch is equipped with Cerachrom bezel, a proprietary technology developed and patented by Rolex. There is. By using a new material for the bezel, the Ref. 116500 is both a sports watch and a classic, giving an innovative impression while being in harmony with the times. Has strong characteristics.