Not only has Suttons and Robertsons charted the rise and rise of Rolex, the king of watches, but we’ve also watched the increasingly stellar performance of the Rolex Daytona. The Daytona emerged as the must-have Rolex, with long waiting lists for new models outlandish performances at auction, including the Paul Newman Daytona which holds the record for the most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
Cosmograph or Daytona?
If you’re thinking about pawning your Rolex you’re wondering exactly what type of chronograph you have, there are a few facts that will help you navigate the finer details of the Rolex Daytona. Officially, the Daytona models are the ‘Cosmograph’ you’ll find this beneath the Rolex logo at 12 o’clock on most of the Daytona dials. It took the ‘Daytona’ name in the early 60s, when Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona Speedway in Florida. In Rolex terms, ‘Daytona’ is the globally accepted name of the ‘Cosmograph’.
The Cosmograph Before The Daytona
In the Second World War years, Rolex released a number of chronographs, ref 3335, in Oyster cases but they did not perform well. Between 1954 61, ref. 6234 – known as the Oyster Chronograph – was produced with a silver or black dial. While it was too early to have the word ‘Daytona’ on the dial, this model also didn’t feature ‘Cosmograph’. With around only 2,000 ever made, the ref. 6234, can sell for £20,000 today. In the 60s, the ref. 6238 saw a collaboration with Tiffany Co., with the brand marked on the dial with ‘Cosmograph’ still omitted. Ref. 6238 was one fixed size – 36mm – however, the casing was either steel, 14k or 18k yellow gold. Dials were typically silver, back or dark grey, although there were a limited number with a blue red multi-scale. Again, today, the ref. 6238 would fetch around £20,000.
1962 – All Change for Daytona
In 1962, Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona Speedway this marked the start of big things for the Cosmograph, even though it took a while to build momentum. The black-dial Cosmograph ref. 6239 is one of the first to note the Cosmograph model name under the 12 o’clock logo also the first to have the exotic dial, which became known as the ‘Paul Newman’ dial. Exotic dials could have included ‘Daytona’ in red text as well as Art Deco-style Arabic indices dot markers. While ref. 6239 is the model that Paul Newman wore, other references produced after the 6239 Paul Newman dials can attract five figures or more.
Throughout the 1960s, there were several Daytonas released, including ref. 6240 with a ‘Solo- dial – with ‘Daytona’ ‘Cosmograph’ on the dial but not ‘Oyster Cosmograph’. Ref. 6241 with a Paul Newman dial, released in 1965/66, were in production until 1969. With only 3,000 ever made, the ref. 6241 can fetch resale prices of hundreds of thousands. A ref. 6263 in yellow gold, first produced in 1969 until 1987, could see a resale value of around £60,000 as only 2,000 were produced.
Daytona In The 70s
Ref. 6262, produced in 1970/1, is very rare can command resale prices of over £100,000. Sometimes, mis-stamped on the back as 6239 when Rolex reused old cases, the production term was startlingly brief making the 6262 something of a rarity. The ref. 6264 is equally rare, with only 1,700 made in steel. Produced for only 3 years, the 6262 is valued at six figures.
Answering the Quartz Question in the 1980s
By the 1980s, watchmakers all over the world were dealing with the threat from quartz watches. Rolex took on the technology of the time by slowing things down with a self-winding Zenith El Primero movement. The idea was to reduced 36,600 vph down to 28,800 vph so that it would boost the power reserve. Naming the calibre 4040, this movement sought to build greater lengths of time in between services, in order to compete with quartz watches. The 4040 is also a COSC-certified chronometer, with Rolex boosting the case size up to 40mm.
Setting the Scene With the 16520
Ref. 16520 included the automatic movement of the cal. 4040 the Zenith El Primero was produced from 1988-2000. Rolex has largely stuck to this design concept since the late 80s, with certain models boosting porcelain dials, such as ref. 162528.
Daytona since the Millennium
Demand for Daytona consistently outstrips supply. Rather than increasing production numbers, Rolex instead included an in-house movement. Known as the calibre 4130, the automatic chronograph movement improved the power reserve to 72 hours. The model numbers added a one to their beginning, with the 16520 becoming the 116520. These post-millennium models are still reasonably priced on the pre-owned market.
The luxury watch market has exploded over the last decade, with waiting lists for Rolexes prohibitively long pre-owned options often the quickest way to get your hands on a Rolex. The idea of collecting watches has also grown in popularity – this means that producers only have to change a small aspect of the watch in order to create something that’s worth adding to the collection. For Rolex, they have changed dial bezel details, using ceramic, added an engraved tachymeter to some models even created a two-tone version of the Daytona with Rolesor gold steel construction throughout case bracelet, or by using Rolex’s own Everose rose gold body, on ref. 116515. The ref. 116506 Platinum Daytona has both a platinum casing bracelet, a brown ceramic bezel an ice blue dial. One to watch, its price is available on request.
The Rolex Daytona may have started life as a well-regarded Swiss chronograph, but it has entered popular culture as the watch to have. Outstanding craftsmanship a healthy dose of Hollywood glamour have combined to create a very special watch.
London’s Luxury Jewellers & Pawnbrokers
If you have a Rolex Daytona you’d like to understand more about its value, drop into Suttons and Robertsons London stores today for a free valuation. We are Rolex specialists offer pawnbroking loans on Rolex. Are you looking to sell your Rolex? We would be more than happy to provide you with a purchase offer as well.
