Issue link: http://papercitymagazine.uberflip.com/i/404098
O ver the years, Rolex has designed timepieces for adventurers reaching to the most extreme heights and depths of human endeavor — from mountaineering to deep sea diving to auto racing that tests the limits of human speed. The year 2013 marks the 50th anniversary of one such timepiece — the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex achieved its unmatched reputation by being first in function as well as form: Each well-considered dial and feature serves a purpose. Rarely has so much history, legend and craftsmanship been associated with a single timepiece as it has with the Daytona. Though its devoted cult of fans has long tracked the Daytona's every move, the uninitiated could be forgiven for not knowing that "Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona" is more than just a string of words; it's a valid description of one of the most beloved timepieces of all time. Each inscription on the dial of a Rolex watch is an indicator of performance. On this emblematic model, they were added one by one as the watch evolved. Solely labeled Cosmograph at its inception in 1963, over the years the terms Oyster, Perpetual, Cosmograph, and Daytona were added, chronicling the evolution of a legend in watchmaking. The chronograph — a conventional watch with a stopwatch on its face — was invented in 1816 so King Louis the XVIII could time his beloved horse races. Its modern association, however, is with races of a different kind: Rolex entered the modern era in 1963 with the release of the Cosmograph Daytona, deemed by many the best in the world. Distinguished by a separate sweep hand, it can be started, stopped and returned to zero by repeated touches of the chronograph pushers. As testimony to its reinforced waterproofness, the Oyster designation was added to the Daytona dial when Rolex introduced screw-down push buttons on its Oyster case. The Daytona in the name refers, of course, to Daytona Beach, Florida, known as the birthplace of speed. The mere name Daytona is emblematic of a passion for motor racing. In Daytona, drivers raced on the packed sand by the ocean, where land speed records were set for many years. In 1959, the sand track gave way to the Daytona International Speedway. Rolex, shortly thereafter, became its official timepiece. Along with LeMans, the Rolex 24 at Daytona is the only 24-hour race in the world. Winning drivers are presented with a trophy and a Rolex Oyster Cosmograph Daytona. The case back is engraved with the date, the race logo and the magical word "Winner." This provides compelling motivation for participants, as "each driver wants to win 'his' Rolex Daytona," according to Danish racing star Tom Kristensen. Perhaps Daytona's most famous adherent was acting legend Paul Newman — an auto racer himself who was said to have worn one from 1972, when his wife bestowed one on him as a gift, until his death in 2008. Newman also won the GTS-1 class of the Rolex 24 race in 1995, adding his own name to the list of winners who have received a Daytona for their feats on the racetrack. Vintage versions of the watch are extremely popular among collectors, who compete for them at auction, where mint condition "Paul Newmans" have fetched up to a quarter of a million dollars. With the turn of the 21st century, Rolex introduced an updated version of the Daytona. This newest model features a movement that is manufactured and assembled entirely by Rolex, while remaining true to the Daytona's inimitable style and keeping its signature Daytona designation in red letters. With the redesigned Daytona movement 4130, Rolex engineers reduced the number of components for the chronograph mechanism by 60 percent. They simplified the minute and hour counter systems — traditionally two distinct mechanisms situated on each side of the movement — by integrating them into a single module on one side of the movement with an off-center clutch. In 2013, Rolex introduced a platinum version of the Daytona — yet another exciting addition to the Daytona family. A Race forTime ROLEX DAYTONA 50 TH ANNIVERSARY BESIDES AUTO-RACING HEROES OF TODAY, HISTORIC STARS OF THE RACING CIRCUIT INCLUDE SIR MALCOLM CAMPBELL, WHO BROKE THE WORLD LAND SPEED RECORD NINE TIMES AND WAS THE FIRST MAN TO BREAK 300 MPH; SIR JACKIE STEWART, ONE OF THE MOST CELEBRATED FORMULA ONE DRIVERS OF THE LAST 40 YEARS; AND WILLIAM FRANCE SR.,THE EVENTUAL FOUNDER OF NASCAR. ALL OF THESE MEN WERE KNOWN FOR THEIR DEVOTION TO THEIR ROLEX RACING WATCHES. Platinum Cosmograph Daytona with chestnut-brown monobloc Cerachrom in ceramic with engraved numerals and graduations. Ice-blue dial. Rose-gold Daytona with a black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic. Chocolate Arabic dial with a black crocodile strap. Stainless-steel and 18K yellow-gold Daytona with a white dial.