The short answer
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a chronograph introduced in 1963 and named after the Daytona Beach motor races. It has three sub-dials and a tachymeter bezel for measuring speed. Collectors group it into three eras by movement: manual-wind Valjoux, automatic Zenith-based, and Rolex’s own in-house calibres.
Early manual-wind Daytonas were slow sellers when new. Today the most sought after of them carry the "exotic" dial later nicknamed Paul Newman, after the actor who wore one. His own reference 6239 sold for US$17.8 million at Phillips New York in 2017.
From 1988 the Daytona became automatic, first with a Zenith El Primero base and from 2000 with Rolex’s calibre 4130. A ceramic bezel arrived on the steel model in 2016.
Daytona references to know
Related reading
Pages that help you judge a Daytona before you bid.
- I Rolex at auction Every Rolex family, with a buying checklist.
- II How to spot a fake Rolex The checks that apply to every Rolex.
- III Rare and collectible watches What makes a reference collectible.
- IV Watch glossary Tachymeter, sub-dial and other lot terms.
Questions
What is a Paul Newman Daytona?+
A manual-wind Daytona from the 1960s or 1970s with an "exotic" dial: contrasting sub-dials with square-tipped markers and an outer track in a third colour. The name comes from the actor Paul Newman, who wore one.
Is the Daytona movement made by Rolex?+
Since 2000, yes. Earlier automatic models from 1988 to 2000 used a movement based on the Zenith El Primero, and the first Daytonas used manual-wind Valjoux calibres.
What does the tachymeter bezel do?+
It converts elapsed time into speed. Start the chronograph at a marker, stop it one kilometre or mile later, and read the speed against the seconds hand.
What should I check before bidding on a Daytona?+
Confirm the reference and movement match, the chronograph starts, stops and resets cleanly, the pushers screw down, and the dial is original to the watch. Ask us for any detail not shown in the photographs.
Related
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