The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the world’s oldest endurance race, celebrated its 100th anniversary over the weekend. Teams from around the world gathered at the Circuit de la Sarthe in France to compete against each other, striving to cover the greatest distance within a span of 24 hours. Daytona
Rolex has been the official timekeeper and provider of the official timepiece for the 24 Hours of Le Mans race since 2001. In a recent announcement, Rolex disclosed that the winners of this year’s significant milestone race would be awarded a specially engraved Daytona watch to commemorate the occasion. The watch has now been unveiled as an official addition to the Rolex catalog.
The newly introduced Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, which celebrates 100 Years of Speed, takes inspiration from the original Daytona model launched in 1963. This release aligns perfectly with the 60th anniversary of the legendary timepiece. While sharing a similar design and aesthetic with its predecessor, the commemorative edition incorporates modern enhancements and upgrades.
The 40mm case and bracelet of the commemorative edition are skillfully crafted from 18-karat white gold, deviating from the typical stainless steel construction. An eye-catching feature is the black ceramic Cerachrom bezel, complemented by a reverse panda dial with a black background and contrasting white registers. This design pays homage to the iconic Paul Newman Daytonas and adds to the watch’s vintage-inspired allure. Notably, the tachymeter scale on the bezel includes a red “100” to honor the race’s centennial milestone. It is worth mentioning that Paul Newman himself participated in the 24 Hours of Le Mans race in 1979.
The commemorative Daytona is equipped with the COSC-certified caliber 4132, which offers the unique ability to count the chronograph function’s hours over a span of 24 hours instead of the standard 12 hours. This feature serves as another tribute to the endurance of the day-long race. While the version presented to this year’s winners includes a solid case back engraved with the race logo and the inscription “Winner 2023,” this particular edition showcases an exhibition case back, allowing a view of the caliber 4132 movement.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, a timepiece commemorating a century of speed, is now on sale for $51,400. If you’re interested, make sure to promptly visit an authorized dealer.
