The Evolution of The Automatic Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Introduced in 1963, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has today become itself a brand.

The Daytona is indeed the most recognised, the most commercially successful and the most sought-after Rolex model.

Whether it is the Zenith references or the Newman version, the watch has turned to be a rebellion unlike any other watch in the market.

However, the Rolex Daytona is known to have captured people’s attention when it became an automatic timepiece.

It was in the late 1980s when Rolex upgraded its cornerstone chronograph collection, introducing the automatic Daytona.

Thus, let’s us today explore the evolution of the Rolex Daytona – from using the Zenith El Primero movement to the patented in-house automatic movement.

The Zenith Rolex Daytona

Launched in 1988, the first automatic Rolex Daytona versions flaunted the same design like the earlier manual-wound Daytona.

However, both were overall different chronographs.

• Rolex equipped the then-new Daytona with a more prominent 40mm Oyster case and crown guards.
• They also sported durable Triplock winding crown and screw-down chronograph pushers.
• Moreover, the then-new Rolex Daytona watches featured scratch-resistant sapphire crystals instead of acrylic ones.

Rolex made some refinements in the new dials, retaining the registers’ of the trio at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock.

For example, the brand offered pointed tips to the applied baton indexes, using the luminous element more profusely.

However, the automatic Daytona of this era flaunted metal bezels, carved with the signature tachymeter scale.

Now, here comes the most significant upgrade:

• Rolex fitted the then-new Daytona references with an automatic movement.
• The first generation of these watches housed the Calibre 4030, offering power reserve up to 54hours.
• However, Calibre 4030 is not Rolex’s in-house movement.

In fact, it is based on the popular Zenith El Primero movement that featured a horizontal clutch and a column wheel.

Nonetheless, Rolex made significant modifications to the movement according to the needs of the Daytona.

The manufacturer added a new escapement, removed the date, and also, reduced the frequency rate to 28,800bph from 36,000bph.

Rolex is known to have made more than 200 upgrades to the original Calibre Zenith El Primero for producing the Calibre 4030.

Rolex Daytona & In-House Movement

Rolex launched its new in-house movement in 2000 – the Calibre 4130.

The patented Calibre 4130 features a vertical clutch system that is more efficient than the usual lateral clutch system.

• However, the movement has a power reserve of 72hours.
• The Rolex Daytona watches housing the new movement retained the similar 40mm Oyster case, winding crown and screw-down pushers.

Moreover, Rolex had to modify the dial to fit the movement.

For instance, Rolex switched the positions of the sub-dials at 9 o’clock and 6 o’clock to place the running seconds at 6 o’clock.

Rolex Daytona & Ceramic Bezel

Rolex added the new ceramic bezel to the Daytona collection in 2011.

The Rolex Daytona reference 116515LN featured the proprietary ceramic bezel for the first time.

• Moreover, the special anniversary Daytona edition 116506 featured a brown Cerachrom bezel.
• It was also the first Daytona available in platinum.
• Rolex continued to add the famous ceramic bezel to many other metal Daytona references like the yellow gold reference 116518LN.

However, the significant fact is that Rolex furnished the new Daytona ceramic bezel references with the in-house Calibre 4130.

Interestingly, the manufacturer reformulated the label “Superlative Chronometer Certified” in 2015. It ensured a five-year warranty with -/+2 accuracy rating.

Overall, it’s no surprise that the automatic Rolex Daytona is one of the world’s most coveted chronographs that combines incredible mechanics, impressive design with extensive options of styles and metals.

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Whether you choose to sell your Rolex online or pawn Rolex watch via appointment, we will make the process straightforward and hassle-free for you.

Expert evaluators at The Luxury Hut continually monitor the changing pre-owned market trends and prices of Rolex watches.

This allows us to make a fair and competitive offer for any Rolex watches sold or pawned with us.

Thus, whether you want to pawn a Rolex or sell a Rolex watch in London, begin the process by filling up our online form with all the details as much as possible

You will receive a free valuation shortly by phone or email. Or call us on 0791 747 2203 to book an appointment at our office in Hatton Garden, London.

More Resources:

• The History of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
• The First Rolex Daytona vs. the Current Rolex Daytona
• 5 Most Desirable Rolex Daytona Models