Rolex Daytona Buyers Guide: Everything You Need To Know

Few brands occupy the same spot in haute horlogerie as Rolex. Since its inception in London in 1905, the Swiss luxury watch brand has been a mainstay in the horological market, leading the industry with a history of firsts and groundbreaking innovation.

Rolex founder Hans Wilsdorf chose to relocate the business to Geneva, Switzerland – the beating heart of fine watchmaking – where the brand would establish itself as the ultimate symbol of precision, craftsmanship, and timeless style.

Whether it’s the iconic Submariner, the President’s Day-Date, or the trailblazing GMT-Master II, there’s a Rolex watch for everyone. And although the global luxury market has faced some fluctuating headwinds in recent times, brands like Rolex will continue to be the exception to the rule; Rolex will always command the interest of the world’s horologists.

Features of the 2024 Rolex Daytona

Rolex Daytona: A History

Officially named the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, the Rolex Daytona has a rich history intertwined with motorsports, celebrity culture, and horological innovation.

In 1962, Rolex was the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway, the home of the Daytona 500, the most iconic race in the NASCAR season, and, more poignantly, 24 Hours of Daytona.

“At Daytona, everything revolves around the watch. If you win a trophy, it stays on a shelf. Money goes in the bank. But if you win a Rolex with the word “winner” engraved on the back, you wear it every day.”

Scott Pruett, American racecar driver

The first-ever model was released to the public in 1963. Similar to the Rolex Submariner, it was designed for a particular focus on the brand’s loyal fans, as a professional tool for racing drivers. The first iteration was equipped with a tachymeter scale on the bezel to measure speed and a reliable chronograph movement and inscribed with the legendary “Daytona” on the dial.

The rest, as they say, is history.

The Rolex Daytona in Pop Culture

The Daytona’s cultural significance is immense, thanks in part to American actor and racecar driver Paul Newman, whose personal ownership of a specific reference (the Ref. 6239, now dubbed the “Paul Newman Daytona”) elevated the model into legendary status.

Arguably one of the most iconic Daytonas ever released, the Paul Newman Daytona was part of the first generation of watches to hit the market.

Newman reportedly received the watch as a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward, in the late 1960s or early 1970s, and would be frequently photographed wearing his favourite timepiece from the front seat of his car. On the caseback, a charming message from his wife that read “Drive Carefully, Me,” was inscribed.

When Newman’s personal Daytona was auctioned in 2017, it fetched over $17 million USD, making it one of the most expensive wristwatches ever sold, and solidifying the Rolex Daytona’s status as more than a timepiece, but an enduring piece of horological history.

Iconic Rolex Daytona Design

The first Rolex Daytona was easily identifiable with key features carefully placed throughout. The 6239 was one of the first Rolex watches to feature a tachymeter scale engraved on the bezel, instead of printed on the dial. It was a key design element that highlighted this piece’s racing pedigree, prioritising legibility and functionality for racing drivers, ensuring that the main dial remained uncluttered.

Typically, the main dial comes in either black or white, paired with subdials in the opposite colour for striking contrast. This iconic two-tone aesthetic was purely a design choice for enhanced legibility, but it has since become a discerning feature of the Daytona, affectionately dubbed “The Panda” to collectors.

The “exotic dial”, which was made famous by Paul Newman’s personal timepiece, was a bold experiment by Rolex to cater to a more niche audience – although its limited availability only added to its inherent appeal. At the time, collectors and watch enthusiasts weren’t exactly desperate to get their hands on this particular model, which is likely why so few were made. It was only when Paul Newman immortalised his Daytona in the history books that it gained its legendary status within horology.

Rolex Daytona Movement

When compared to other Rolex models, the Daytona stands out for its chronograph complication, a feature absent in Rolex’s other flagship lines like the Submariner, Datejust, or Explorer. Before the
Zenith El Primero movement was the driving force behind this iconic model, earlier Daytonas used the Valjoux 72, a manually wound movement that was arguably a market leader for chronographs of the time.

Rolex refined the finishing and adjusted the escapement of the Valjoux movement to improve the Daytona’s precision, tinkering with the materials for better durability. The Swiss brand later renamed it Calibre 72B: a hybrid of Rolex and Valjoux’s collective efforts to producing the best chronograph movement.

Of course, modern iterations transitioned to Zenith’s El Primero movement in the 80s, but the earlier iterations still maintain a romantic appeal for Rolex fans who view these models as the purist expression of this legendary collection.

Where to Buy Rolex Daytona

Besides the official Rolex store, other secondary Rolex retailers also deal with pre-owned samples of the Daytona line. These are the places you should look for in Australia and online.

Sydney

LK Boutique – 38-46 Martin Place, Sydney NSW
Swiss Concept – 90 Pitt Street, Sydney NSW
J Farren Price – Shop 2, St James Centre, 80 Castlereagh, Street Sydney NSW
Nicholas Hacko – Suite 403, Level 4, Culwulla Chambers, 67 Castlereagh Street, Sydney NSW
Hardy Brothers – Various Locations

Melbourne

Rolex Boutique – 85 Collins Street, Melbourne, VIC
Kennedy – Crown Towers, Shop 17/8 Whiteman St, Southbank VIC
The Hour Glass – 252 Collins St, Melbourne, VIC

Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman” (1963) Ref. 6239

The original Daytona and the first to feature the “Paul Newman” exotic dial, the aforementioned 6239 holds an enduring spot in the legacy, not only of the Daytona collection, but in the layered history of the Rolex brand. Characterised by its Art Deco subdial numerals and contrasting colour scheme, the “Paul Newman” was emblematic of the first chapter of the Daytona, gripped to the inherent thrill of the Daytona Raceway and American motorsport.

It featured a teel bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale, the now-iconic contrasting subdials, and the exotic “panda” or reverse-panda dials. Paul Newman wouldn’t be seen without his and it quickly became a crucial part of his identity. After he died, his model was sold at auction, fetching $17.8 million USD in 2017.

Rolex Daytona “Big Red” (1971) Ref. 6263

Presented in a 37mm stainless steel case, the Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 was immortalised in history for its one eye-catching feature: the word “Daytona” inscribed on the white or black dial. It’s a serious attention-grabber and earned this particular model the moniker “Big Red”.

This reference represented the evolution of the Rolex Daytona into the more robust sports watch that we see today. Although it still maintains the collection’s vintage charm that was prevalent throughout the earlier iterations, this model was released in 1971 and had a consistent run until the late 80s. Perhaps if it had the same celebrity endorsements as the Paul Newman, it might be spoken about more highly.

Rolex Daytona “Zenith” (1988) Ref. 16520

The first automatic Daytona powered by the legendary Zenith’s El Primero, a highly complex and technical chronograph movement, this Rolex Daytona marked the transition into modern mechanics in watchmaking.

The size was increased to 40mm and a sapphire crystal dome was introduced for better protection. For the most part,  this release revived the Daytona’s popularity when it debuted in 1988, amid faltering popularity. It was famously worn by celebrities like Eric Clapton and John Mayer, which, of course, helped, cementing this piece as a cornerstone in the Daytona line – a modern bridge between the old and the new.

Rolex Daytona (2016) Ref. 116500LN

Powered by Rolex’s in-house Calibre 4130, an automatic chronograph movement introduced in 2000, the Rolex Daytona (ref. 116500LN) was considered by many to be one of the most accurate and refined chronograph watches in the market.

It featured a scratch-resistant Cerachrom bezel, which significantly modernised the Daytona’s aesthetic into the 21st century, while preserving the illustrious past when vintage aluminium bezel designs were all the rage.

At the time of release, this model had an instant impact on Rolex’s popularity (not that it needed the boost). Waitlists that have become the running joke in the watch world extended into years, as enthusiasts were desperately trying to source the modern 116500LN for their collections, quickly becoming a symbol of exclusivity and luxury in contemporary watch culture.

Rolex Daytona (2013) Ref. 116506

Crafted entirely in platinum, this is the first Daytona to be produced in this ultra-luxurious metal to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Daytona. It’s undoubtedly one of the most expensive Rolex Daytonas available today.

Its 40mm dial maintains the standard for the modern Daytona releases, but the 116506’s Cerachrom bezel, in contrast to the icy-blue dial, is a stunning expression from Rolex that has commanded the attention of collectors for years.

Of course, the Daytona is revered for its deep connections to the world of motorsport, but this 2013 represents a conscious pivot away from the rugged pragmatism of earlier models, and firmly placed within the contemporary luxury market. This is certainly a grail piece for horologists today.