Watches: Daytona

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona. Is a conventional chronograph watch power by Rolex's COSC certified self-winding 4130 movement. This movement produces 28,800 vibrations per hour and has a 72 hour power reserve. The creation of the 4130 movement was a significant event for Rolex, since it meant that all their watches now featured in-house movements.

Rolex was not among the pioneers in chronograph watch development. It was not until 1937 that Rolex introduced its first chronograph models. Unlike most Rolex watches which used in-house movements, the first Rolex chronographs used Valjoux manual winding movements. This may have in part contributed to the lesser popularity compared to their Oyster and Perpetual series of watches.

In 1960, Rolex gave its chronograph line a major facelift with the introduction of the Cosmograph. Cosmograph is a Rolex trademarked term for its own version of the tachymeter scale. The difference being that the tachymeter scale is printed on the bezel rather than on the outer rim of the dial.

In 1961, Rolex released a version of it 'Cosmograph' named after Daytona Beach, Florida, home of some of the biggest names in auto racing. The Daytona grew in popularity after it had been seen being used by actor Paul Newman in the late 60's. Paul Newman continued to be seen wearing Daytona watches into into the new millenium.

In 1991 Rolex finally released the new version of the Daytona. They had abandoned the Valjoux movement in favor of a Zenith movement. Finally, in 2000, Rolex launched a Daytona with a in-house Rolex movement. With that, the true "Rolex" chronograph was born.