Rolex presents a new version of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona created in honor of the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, the famous endurance motor race. With the new Daytona ref. 126529LN (white gold), Rolex wanted to celebrate this anniversary with a special version of the legendary chronograph where the design and movement refer to this legendary race.

The Cosmograph Daytona, introduced in 1963, was designed to meet the needs of professional motor racing. Featuring a bezel with tachymeter scale and a robust and reliable mechanical movement, this legendary chronograph immediately proved to be the ideal tool for measuring a time interval or determining an average speed.

Before delving into the details introduced with this reference, we can say that stylistically the new Daytona 126529LN incorporates some of the aesthetic codes of the most beautiful manual-winding Daytonas. If in its entirety we can say that this brand new model is the heir to the Daytona 6263 “Big Red”, the three counters instead recall those of the “Paul Newman” dials. How not to appreciate these "poetic quotations"?

NEW CERACHROM BEZEL

The new 126529LN is crafted in 18 ct white gold and features a black ceramic Cerachrom bezel with a narrow border also in 18 ct white gold. On the tachymeter scale, the number “100” colored thanks to the red ceramic is a reference to the centenary of the endurance race. The counters stand out on the dial, whose graphics are inspired by that of a Rolex 6263 dial. As for the Oyster case, it features a transparent caseback and is completed by an Oyster bracelet.

The Oyster case of the new version of the Cosmograph Daytona, with a diameter of 40 mm and guaranteed waterproof up to 100 meters in depth, is machined from a solid block of 18ct white gold. On this model we find the transparent caseback, until now present only on the new platinum Daytona, thanks to the anti-reflection treated sapphire crystal through which you can admire the decorations of the movement and the rotations of the oscillating weight.

The Triplock winding crown, equipped with a triple waterproofing system and protected by special shoulders obtained in the middle case. The glass is sapphire and benefits from an anti-reflection treatment.

NEW CALIBER 4132

The new 126529LN is equipped with caliber 4132, a chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, based on the new caliber 4131, presented at Watches & Wonders 2023.

The caliber 4132, adaptation of the caliber 4131 which allows the counting the hours of the chronograph function on twenty-four hours instead of the usual twelve of this model. This was possible thanks to a patented additional mechanism, composed of seven elements, comparable to a differential revisited by Rolex. This demultiplication system, said planetary gearbox in technical jargon, it allows you to halve the rotation speed of the gear train that drives the twenty-four hour hand. The device is a stunning demonstration of the know-how by Rolex engineers and its shape allows it to be integrated into the movement without having to modify the latter's architecture. 

In fact, the mechanism simply replaces a drive wheel and its operation has no impact on the performance of the caliber 4132.

The 4132 caliber integrates the escapement Chronorgy and the anti-shock device Paraflex and features new finishes or decorations, such as the decorated bridges a Côtes de Genève Rolex, a reinterpretation of the famous decorative technique applied in watchmaking. 

Like all Rolex watches, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona boasts the Superlative Chronometer certification ride finished by Rolex in 2015. The accuracy of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer, therefore, is in the order of –2/+2 seconds per day.

THE OYSTER BRACELET

The new Cosmograph Daytona 126529LN is paired with an Oyster bracelet equipped with an Oysterlock safety clasp with a folding clasp that prevents any involuntary opening and features the Easylink quick extension link, developed by the Brand, which allows you to easily adjust its length by approximately 0 mm . Furthermore, it integrates ceramic inserts designed by Rolex and patented inside its links which improve its fluidity on the wrist and its durability over time.

The value of this watch is €42.407 excluding tax. For more information www.rolex.com