Rolex
daytona cosmograph panda racing dial - Or Gris

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona collector’s watch in its luxurious and dressy white gold version, reference 116519 from 2015, features a crocodile strap with Rolex folding clasp, a luminescent Panda racing dial in Chromalight (blue), and black subdials with red lettering. This self-winding mechanical chronograph is equipped with a Rolex caliber 4130 movement with 44 jewels. Certified chronometer, it offers a 72-hour power reserve and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour. The 40 mm case includes a screw-down back, pushers, and crown, with a water resistance of up to 100 meters.

Originally, the Cosmograph was a Rolex chronograph designed for the aeronautical field and intended for space flights. Created in 1963, at a time when space was the new frontier, the Cosmograph did not achieve the success Rolex had hoped for with astronauts and NASA officials, as NASA preferred the Omega Speedmaster. Instead, the world of motorsports and competition embraced the model almost by chance—when it appeared on the wrist of Paul Newman in its "exotic dial" Panda version, the Cosmograph stepped out of the shadow of its rival Omega, which ironically had been designed for car racing.

The Cosmograph quickly gained recognition and caught the attention of the organizers of a young American car race created in 1962. This 24-hour event took place on the Daytona International Speedway in Florida and soon became one of the most legendary races in the world. From its second edition—the same year the Cosmograph was released—it became the trophy awarded to the winners. The watch originally named "Le Mans" by Rolex soon shed that Sarthe-inspired name, leaving the Heuer Monaco Gulf "Steve McQueen" to represent the 24 Hours of Le Mans. An interesting detail that shows: a name does not always define a watch’s true destiny.

In 1965, with reference 6239, the dial of the Cosmograph was first inscribed with “Daytona,” placed on the upper rim of the 12-hour totalizer subdial at the bottom of the dial, while “Cosmograph” remained just beneath the Rolex logo. Since then, the Daytona has grown in prestige and has recently become the official chronograph of the 24 Hours of Le Mans...

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