A Unique Cosmograph Daytona Edition Marks a Century of the 24 Hours of Le Mans

The iconic elegance and exceptional performance of the Cosmograph Daytona have solidified its legendary status, transcending the confines of motor racing circuits. In commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans race, Rolex introduces a unique edition of its iconic chronograph.

Rolex proudly presents a distinctive variation of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, conceived as a tribute to the century-long legacy of the 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance motor race. As the Official Timekeeper of this historic event since 2001, Rolex sought to mark this symbolic milestone with a special edition, characterized by design elements and movement features that pay homage to this renowned race.

This new watch, crafted in 18 ct white gold, boasts a Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic, adorned with a delicate band also in 18 ct white gold. The red ceramic number "100" on the tachymetric scale serves as a vivid reminder of the race's centenary. The dial is adorned with counters inspired by the traditional Rolex design, and the Oyster case features a transparent back, complemented by an Oyster bracelet.

This distinctive timepiece is equipped with the calibre 4132, an adaptation of the calibre 4131, tailored to measure time intervals using the chronograph function over a full twenty-four hours instead of the usual twelve. Calibre 4132 incorporates the Chronergy escapement and Paraflex shock absorbers, showcasing new finishes and decorations, including bridges adorned with Rolex Côtes de Genève—a reinterpretation of a well-established watchmaking embellishment. The cut-out oscillating weight in 18 ct yellow gold is enhanced with an optimized ball bearing.

Like all Rolex timepieces, this special edition of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona bears the Superlative Chronometer certification, ensuring exceptional performance on the wrist.

SYMBOLIZING SPEED

Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was meticulously designed to meet the rigorous demands of professional racing drivers. Equipped with a tachymetric bezel and a high-performance mechanical movement exclusively developed and manufactured by Rolex, this legendary chronograph has become the preferred instrument for measuring time intervals and calculating average speeds.

Through its name and capabilities, the Cosmograph Daytona has become synonymous with the world of motorsport and continues to maintain its unparalleled status among sports chronographs, even six decades after its inception.

HIGH-TECH CERAMIC

Rolex played a pioneering role in the advancement of specialized ceramics for crafting monobloc bezels and bezel inserts. These materials are not only virtually impervious to scratches but also exhibit intense colors and resistance to environmental factors. Additionally, due to its chemical composition, high-tech ceramic is inert and immune to corrosion. Rolex has developed unique expertise and innovative manufacturing techniques that grant complete autonomy in the production of these ceramic components.

The new iteration of the Cosmograph Daytona features a Cerachrom bezel crafted from black ceramic. The recessed graduations, numerals, and inscriptions on the tachymetric scale are molded and then coated with a thin layer of platinum using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process, except for the number 100, which is filled with red ceramic.

THE OYSTER CASE - SYMBOL OF WATER RESISTANCE

Exemplifying robustness and reliability, the 40 mm Oyster case in this new Cosmograph Daytona version is guaranteed waterproof up to 100 meters (330 feet). Its middle case is milled from a solid block of 18 ct white gold. Featuring sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating, the transparent case back provides a glimpse of the movement's decorations and the oscillating weight's motion. The case back, edged with fine fluting, is hermetically sealed with a specialized tool that allows access only to Rolex watchmakers. The Triplock winding crown, equipped with a triple waterproofness system and shielded by an integral crown guard, securely screws down against the case, along with the chronograph pushers. The crystal is made from nearly indestructible sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflective coating. The waterproof Oyster case delivers optimum protection for the housed movement.

PERPETUAL CALIBER 4132

The new version of the Cosmograph Daytona is powered by the calibre 4132, a chronograph movement fully developed and manufactured by Rolex and a variation of the calibre 4131 unveiled earlier this year. A marvel of technology, this self-winding mechanical movement excels in terms of precision, power reserve, convenience, and reliability. It incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thus enhancing the movement's reliability. It engages through a robust mechanism with a column wheel and vertical clutch, enabling an instantaneous and exceedingly precise start. The bridges of the calibre 4132 showcase a Rolex Côtes de Genève decoration, distinguished by the addition of a subtle polished groove between each band.

Calibre 4132 allows the watch to display the chronograph function's hours in a twenty-four-hour format—a distinctive technical feature. This movement also features the patented Chronergy escapement, combining high energy efficiency with dependability. Constructed from nickel-phosphorus, this escapement is resistant to strong magnetic fields. The movement is equipped with a blue Parachrom hairspring, made by Rolex from a paramagnetic alloy. The hairspring provides excellent stability in the face of temperature fluctuations and remarkable shock resistance. It incorporates a Rolex overcoil, ensuring consistent performance of the calibre in any position. The oscillator is mounted on the Rolex-designed, patented high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, enhancing the movement's resistance to shocks. The oscillating weight is fitted with an optimized ball bearing.

Calibre 4132 boasts a self-winding system through a Perpetual rotor. Thanks to its barrel design and the escapement's superior efficiency, calibre 4132 achieves an impressive power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

AN INNOVATIVE MECHANISM

On the new Cosmograph Daytona version, the chronograph function's hours are measured over twenty-four hours—unlike the typical twelve—via an additional patented mechanism composed of seven components. This gear reduction system, technically known as an epicyclic reducer, reduces the rotational speed of the gear train that drives the 24-hour hand by half. A testament to Rolex's engineering prowess, the morphology of this device allows seamless integration without altering the movement's architecture. In essence, the mechanism replaces a transmission wheel, without affecting the performance of calibre 4132 in any way.

OYSTER BRACELET AND OYSTERLOCK SAFETY CLASP

This new Cosmograph Daytona version is paired with an Oyster bracelet, a three-piece link design developed in the late 1930s and renowned for its durability within the Oyster Perpetual collection.

The Oyster bracelet of this new watch is equipped with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp, preventing accidental openings. It incorporates the Easylink comfort extension link, a Rolex innovation that enables wearers to easily adjust the bracelet's length by approximately 5 mm. Furthermore, ceramic inserts, designed by Rolex and patented, are embedded within the links, enhancing flexibility on the wrist and ensuring longevity.

SUPERLATIVE CHRONOMETER CERTIFICATION

As with all Rolex timepieces, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is backed by the Superlative Chronometer certification, redefined by Rolex in 2015. This certification attests that every Rolex watch undergoes a comprehensive series of tests, conducted by Rolex in its own laboratories, based on its criteria. These tests are carried out following the official certification of the movements by the Swiss Official Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC). Rolex's in-house certification tests apply to the fully assembled watch, after the movement has been cased, ensuring exceptional performance on the wrist in terms of precision, power reserve, waterproofness, and self-winding. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is typically within -2/+2 seconds per day—a deviation far smaller than that accepted by COSC for the movement's official certification alone.

The Superlative Chronometer designation is symbolized by the green seal accompanying every Rolex watch, accompanied by an international five-year guarantee.