The Daytona – an intense love story with racing
The Rolex Daytona has a long and fast-paced history. Rolex has been producing chronographs since the 1930s, and the first Cosmograph, developed specifically for racing drivers, was finally introduced in 1963. To express its closeness to racing even more clearly and to meet demand in the United States, Rolex began printing the name of DAYTONA (Beach, Florida), a place well-known in motorsport circles, on the dial. The Cosmograph Daytona Chronograph represents the unconditional rush of rapid speed that inspires racing drivers all over the world to push themselves to new dimensions in time and to the absolute limit. The design and clean lines of this legendary chronograph are the result of inimitable mechanical expertise and at the same time testify to unbridled innovative power, the ability to constantly develop further, and the pursuit of unconditional and uncompromising perfection. So it is not surprising that William France Sr., founder of the Daytona International Speedway, mentioned ROLEX as the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway in an advertisement in the early 1960s - of course he himself wore a corresponding Daytona on his arm.
Legends among themselves: Paul Newman and his Rolex Daytona
In the best company: Over the years, the Rolex Daytona has naturally become the dream watch of many famous people from politics, film and society. Whether it's football star Cristiano Ronaldo, France's former President Nicolas Sarkozy, Hollywood superstar and heartthrob Leonardo Di Caprio, or Ana Ivanovic and Bastian Schweinsteiger (quite casually on their wedding day) - they all wear a Rolex Daytona Cosmograph again and again, but certainly none of them has shaped this model as much and contributed to this special image as the legendary actor and later racing driver Paul Newman. After Newman filmed the racing film "Indianapolis - A Dare to Live and Death" (Winning) in 1969 and played the lead role in it, he became enthusiastic about racing. This enthusiasm was unbroken and eventually so strong that he himself started racing as an amateur in 1972. To mark his debut, he received the most fitting gift from his wife Joanne Woodward – the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with an “exotic dial” – since then the exclusive and highly sought-after “Paul Newman Daytona” or simply “6239” – the reference number of this classic watch.
A watch icon at HORANDO
At HORANDO we offer a variety of outstanding and sought-after timepieces from a wide range of manufacturers and styles. However, one wristwatch stands out and makes the hearts of watch lovers and collectors all over the world beat faster. When people talk about the Rolex Daytona, they often talk about an icon among chronographs. Regardless of whether it is a vintage Daytona with a four-digit reference, the classic model in steel (reference number 116520) or the brand new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in the 116506 version in platinum with an ice blue dial and etched small hands as well as a chestnut brown Cerachrom monoblock bezel made of ceramic with engraved numerals.