Rolex Daytona 100 Years of Speed – Le Man’s 24-Hour Race

2023 is the 100^th anniversary of arguably the most prestigious event in professional motorsports, the 24 Hours of Le Mans. Since its founding in 1923, it is the oldest continually running motorsport racing event in the world. The competition has been responsible for seeing a number of professional drivers build the foundations of their careers by winning their division. Additionally, a number of actors, particularly from the United States, have also participated in the event as well.

In order to celebrate this momentous occasion, Rolex surprised watch collectors and the horological press alike with the release of a new Rolex Daytona 100 Years of Le Mans Cosmograph to celebrate the event’s centennial. It is very rare for the company to make announcements about new watches outside of Baselworld or Watches and Wonders, so the announcement immediately generated attention and interest.

Below, we will briefly explore the history of Le Mans itself before analyzing the new Rolex Daytona 100 Years of Le Mans watch that the company has released. The watch contains an interesting connection to a famous person (and a famous timepiece) that may surprise those who do not know of the history between Rolex and Le Mans.

The History of Le Mans

24 Hours of Le Mans initially began in 1923 as a sort of thought experiment within the racing world. Prior to that time, most auto racing events were simply focused on how fast a given vehicle could travel in a set amount of time. 24 Hours of Le Mans had an entirely different goal in mind, and it would change the way that cars were built permanently going forward.

Instead of testing for pure speed, this event was designed to test the durability of a car. Endurance racing was an entirely new concept at the time, and the organizers of the original race planned for it to only be a one-time event, as they were not sure how it would be received. The surprising success of the race would result in the town of Le Mans hosting the competition on an annual basis.

In the early 1990s, Rolex entered into a partnership with Le Mans and started giving commemorative Daytona Cosmographs to the winners of each division. The tradition still continues today and likely will for the foreseeable future.  

What Are The Technical Specifications of the Rolex Daytona 126529LN?

The Rolex Daytona 100 Years of Le Mans Cosmograph has a case size of 40 mm and is encased in 18-carat white gold. It is powered by the 4132 caliber, which is perpetual, mechanical, and self-winding. It has a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The watch is water resistant for up to 330 feet.

How Does The Rolex Daytona 126529LN Fare Aesthetically

One of the most interesting, and surprising, things about this watch has to do with its dial. The design utilizes what is informally known as a “reverse panda” color pattern. This is when a dial with a black background has white sub-dials with black lettering or numbers. In contrast, a black dial with white sub-dials that does not have large black lettering or numbers on it is simply referred to as “panda” style.

This is notable for two very distinct reasons. The first is that this is very much a retro style of dial, one that Rolex has not used on one of their watches in decades. The other is that the design intentionally hearkens back to one of Rolex’s most famous aficionados, Paul Newman.

Newman was known for wearing a vintage Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, and he became so associated with the watch that it became known as a “Paul Newman Daytona.” Considering that Newman was also a race car driver who competed in Le Mans, it is unsurprising that Rolex would want to make a commemorative watch for the race that honored Newman’s legacy.

Rubber straps for Rolex Daytona 100 Years of Speed

Rubber B ultimate rubber straps for Rolex Daytona 100, commemorating a century of speed and precision, are the ideal balance of style and functionality. These straps, which have been meticulously crafted, provide unrivaled comfort and durability, making them ideal for both racing aficionados and everyday wear. Rubber B straps, which are designed to perfectly merge with the renowned Daytona timepieces, bring a new twist to a classic watch, adding a sporty yet stylish touch to your wrist. Rubber B exclusive rubber straps, the ideal partner for the timeless Rolex Daytona 100, offer the ultimate combination of luxury and performance.

What Separates Rubber B From Other Watch Straps?

Rubber B has become well-known as a highly respected crafter of custom rubber watch bands for timepieces from some of the most respected watchmakers in the field, including such brands as Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Audemars Piguet. Rubber B has a variety of straps in different colors and styles in our product portfolio that are appropriate for both business/formal wear and more casual situations as well.

Every Rubber B custom rubber watch strap is made only from 100% vulcanized rubber, and all of our products are FDA and BVGG compliant as well.

Do You Need a Custom Rubber Watch Band For Your Luxury Watch? Visit Rubber B Today

Rubber B watch straps do not contain any coating, blends, or bonding, and each and every strap undergoes rigorous testing to ensure that it meets quality control standards.

If you would like to learn more about our complete list of products, shipping policies, and pricing, or have questions about our custom rubber watch straps, please visit the Rubber B website today for more information. One of our valued team members will be happy to answer your inquiry in a timely manner.

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