The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the ultimate tool watch for those with a passion for driving and speed.
Introduced in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. It is an icon forever joined in name and function to the high-performance world of motor sport. More than 50 years after its creation, the Cosmograph Daytona remains in a class of its own among sport chronographs and continues to transcend time.
Here are the minute details of the Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520 better known as ‘El Primero’ (‘the first one’ in Spanish). It all starts when Rolex partnered with their Swiss compatriots Zenith, the (sort of) winners of the three-way race to create the very first automatic chronograph movement in 1969. Their entry, titled the El Primero, had proven itself an exceptionally accurate and robust mechanism, but it had been mothballed for several years shortly after its invention due to the upheaval of the quartz crisis.
When production restarted in the late 70s, the El Primero’s reputation grew, with Ebel buying up the entire backlog of calibers for themselves, and pumping millions back into Zenith’s coffers. After a further decade of success, the manufacturer was able to answer the call from Rolex when the time came to give the Rolex Daytona a long-overdue upgrade.
In 1988 Rolex introduced a self-winding Daytona watch ref. 16520 with the Zenith movement Caliber 400. In addition, the Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520 came with a sapphire crystal; the case diameter went from 37mm to 40mm. The surfaces of the dials were glossy versus matte (in black) or metallic (in silver). The sub-dials featured thin of an opposing color with a metallic edge. These Daytona come on a metal link watchband, referred to as the Oyster Bracelet.
The Cosmograph Daytona is equipped with calibre 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement developed and manufactured by Rolex. Its architecture incorporates fewer components than a standard chronograph, thereby enhancing the movement’s reliability. It also saves space, making it possible to house a large mainspring, and delivers a power reserve of 72 hours.
This mechanical system functions on the principle of two discs, one above the other, which work together by direct friction contact and offer significant advantages: the precision of the start and stop functions as well as the smooth running of the chronograph seconds hand as soon as the pusher is pressed, and the capacity of the chronograph to function for long periods of time with no negative impact on the precision of the watch.
The Cosmograph Daytona is inextricably linked to the world of motor racing. It allows drivers to measure elapsed time and read average speeds on its trademark tachymetric bezel. The watch pays tribute to a place – Daytona, Florida – where passion for speed and racing developed in the early 20th century. The name embodies the historic and privileged bonds between Rolex and motorsport, which were strengthened in 2013 by the brand’s entry into the world of Formula 1® racing as a Global Partner and Official Timepiece.
Rubber B offers a diversity of straps engineered to fit the case and deployant buckle or the OEM Deployant clasp, for the Rolex Daytona on Leather Strap YG / WG/ RG, as well as Rolex Daytona on Oysterflex Bracelet, as shown on the picture above. A Rubber B Classic Series VulChromatic® Hi-Rise strap, made of vulcanized DUAL COLORED Rubber engineered to fit Rolex Daytona on Strap and Oyster deployant buckle*.
Made of 100% vulcanized rubber featuring “Blocked Integration” to the watch case for a perfect, rotation-free mount. Made in Switzerland of pure vulcanized rubber. No coatings, blends or bonding. Also offered in solid colors such as Jet Black, Red Devil, Espresso Brown, Arctic White and Navy Blue. For this specific Daytona model, Rubber B also offers the Couture Series, Handsewn GORE™ TENARA® Thread: Extremely resistant to UV-rays, atmospheric conditions, & chemicals, as shown below.
In addition, Rubber B also offers a strap for Rolex Daytona on Oysterflex Bracelet – featuring “SwimSkin®” Alligator the exclusive patented technology, created over a five-year developmental period, requiring all-new innovative machinery and engineering techniques. Although this strap looks and feels identical to alligator hide, it is actually 100% RUBBER, and therefore waterproof for all sports and aquatic activities, as shown in the picture below.
Also, Rubber B offers a diversity of colors a strap looks and feels like a moisture-sensitive material such as Kevlar®, but it is actually 100% RUBBER. Referred to as SwimSkin® Ballistic, this strap is exclusively for Rolex Daytona on Oysterflex Bracelet.
A Rubber B strap gives customization and comfort while maintaining the value and classic feel the Daytona watch represents. For more information about Rolex Daytona Straps, click here.
