• In 2023 the Daytona 500 celebrates its 60th anniversary
• The Daytona is the most popular Rolex model
• Paul Newman's Rolex sold at auction for $17.8 million
• Foreword by Phillips Fine Watches senior consultant Aurel Bacs

Cosmograph Daytona… a legendary name among watch aficionados, is one that conjures up montages of speed, engines and sound, but is also a symbol of prestige and admiration. The origin of the myth is linked to a city in Florida, Daytona Beach, famous for its motorcycle and automobile races on the beach. In 1959, the Daytona 500 race was born and three years later, Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway – hence, the start of the story of the legendary “Cosmograph Daytona”.

The chronograph complication and the history of Rolex have always been inextricably linked. Rolex’s first foray into measuring time began in the 1930s with the manufacture's very first Oyster chronograph model.

In 1963, Rolex launched the Cosmograph Daytona, a sports chronograph that has never stopped evolving in respect to the spirit of the brand, and which has always strived to improve existing technology by pushing the boundaries of what is technically possible.

The history and diversity of this chronograph is such that two (independent) volumes have been devoted to it. This second volume is dedicated to self-winding Daytonas, manufactured after 1988. It is a celebration of its illustrious history, which has been forged by many people, but if we had to choose one person in particular, it would be Paul Newman.

About the Author

Anthony Marquié and Grégoire Rossier are the authors of the Only and Story collections of reference books about the most iconic watches. Both have scientific backgrounds: Anthony trained as an aeronautical engineer – although he soon turned to an international career in finance – and Grégoire has a PhD in biology with a specialisation in bioinformatics. Passionate about watches and collectors’ watches, they have dedicated a significant part of their activities to this sector for many years, until they created the consulting company WATCHFID (www.watchfid.com) in 2020, whose services are entirely dedicated to collectors of vintage and prestige watches.
Tiffany To is currently a Senior International Specialist, auctioneer and Head of Sale at Phillips Fine Watches, having started in the auction industry over 8 years ago. Vintage watches, particularly vintage Rolex, are a lifelong passion of hers. The scholarship, history and discovery of the unknown makes every day in this horological world an interesting and fascinating one.