Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Stainless Steel

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most iconic watches ever to have been made, and it enjoys a cult status that is unmatched by any other watch on the market. Collectors world wide strive to obtain this rare model for their collection, particularly the greatly priced black and white dial stainless steel models, but waiting lists are typically two years or more, and demand always remains elevated. So what is behind the Daytona's legendary status and what allows it to maintain its utter desirability?

Early releases and features

Serious Rolex watch buyers and fans will know that the Rolex Cosmograph was first released in 1960, with the model 6239. The subsequent release, 6241 came onto the market a year later with minor cosmetic differences. The first version had a bezel made from solid steel, whereas the latter release had an insert made from clear acrylic, fitted with a steel ring. Both were available with two dial options - a standard with silver or black registers and an 'exotic' option, with black, cream and white sub-dials. These features were notable for creating a notable contrast, which generally didn't feature in the design of other Rolex models. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Stainless Steel

The sports appeal

The Cosmograph also boasted a stopwatch, which added to its 'sports' appeal. The Rolex Daytona also became intrinsically linked with class and motor sports, thanks primarily to the brand's sponsorship of the Daytona Beach car racing industry in Florida, and the races which Rolex still sponsor today. This particular Rolex release is also known as the Paul Newman, as well as being variously referred to as the Rolex Cosmograph and the Rolex Daytona.

Limited production

Because the watch has only ever been produced sporadically, and in very limited quantities, it has remained particularly rare and desirable. The most recent series was produced in 2000 with a six digit reference number. The most expensive models on the market tend to be the original four digit number versions. Last year in Geneva, an original release model from the late Sixties sold for over a million US dollars, proving the incredible brand value of Rolex, as the original retail cost was relatively inexpensive, just around $220 when first sold.

Glamour, sports and exotic lifestyles

The watch brand is strongly synonymous with Hollywood stars, car racing and glamour. Paul Newman was pictured sporting the watch with its exotic dial feature when he was filming, and later promoted it in magazines and posters, stating his pride in owning a piece of classic watch history. This incredible publicity fuelled an enduring love of the watch model, with car lovers using the stopwatch function on the race scene to calculate lap speeds, and with movie fans wanting a piece of the Paul Newman lifestyle. The publicity grew from this point, and the buzz around the model never ceased, with those looking to sell a Rolex Daytona still able to command excellent prices today. Rolex watch buyers will find that this model of watch tends to be incredibly well preserved and may have been worn minimally, if at all if serious collectors have preserved the piece. Those looking to sell a Rolex Daytona will find a very ready market. Buyers are advised to use reputable dealers or auctioneers, or have the ability to identify the authenticity of the model that appears to be on sale, as there have been an influx of Rolex fakes in the market in recent years, primarily from Asia, which has only served to heighten the value of true and original pieces.