Marking the 60th anniversary of the Cosmograph Daytona, one of the most sought-after timepieces ever made, the latest iteration to don this iconic name ensures its “legend” status lives on. The fresh-faced Daytona sports a restyled, ahem, face and 40 mm case while several details synonymous with this watch have been subtly refined. The dial has been handed a new graphic balance, while several new colour-combination options highlight the contrast between the dial and the counters.
However, the most significant update is to what beats inside the timepiece — a brand-new chronograph movement. An evolution of Rolex’s calibre 4130, the calibre 4131 incorporates several innovations, such as the firm’s Chronergy escapement. A blue Parachrom hairspring — manufactured by the company in a paramagnetic alloy — featuring a Rolex overcoil is also present. The oscillator is mounted to high-performance Paraflex shock absorbers, while its weight is fitted with an optimised ball bearing. Rolex says these features make the new Cosmograph Daytona resistant to strong magnetic fields, improved stability in changing temperatures and high resistance to shocks.
Calibre 4131 is coupled with a self-winding system via a Perpetual rotor. The beautifully crafted (indeed, Rolex has paid immense attention to the unit’s aesthetics, with the bridges featuring a Genève decoration, among many other design elements) self-winding movement offers a generous power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
Among the new-generation pieces is a 950 platinum version sporting an ice-blue dial. The collection also includes Oystersteel and yellow Rolesor (Oystersteel and yellow gold) — both of which feature white lacquer dials — and 18-carat Everose gold, replete with a bright black dial and Sundust counters, derivatives.