Limitless, dynamic, and consistent were a few words to describe the brand Rolex. Whatever endeavor or passion one is inclined to, this brand has a watch to offer. The racetrack is no exception. The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the perfect tool watch for those passionate about speed and the adrenaline that racing brings.
Rolex launched Cosmograph Daytona in 1963 and was designed to answer the demands of professional racing drivers. It is a mechanical chronograph wristwatch that measures elapsed time and calculates speed. Its name pertains to Daytona, Florida, a site where racing was popular in the early 20th century. Moreover, the Swiss brand Rolex introduced the watch a year after the first “24 Hours of Daytona” endurance race. It was manufactured in three generations, 1963 was its initial lunch, the second series was in 1988, and the lastest was in 2000.
Let us review the Cosmograph Daytona, a high-performing watch exclusive for the racetrack regarding prices and exceptional features.
Cosmograph Daytona: Innovating and Re-inventing
Rolex continuously innovates and re-invent the Cosmograph Daytona with the professional race car driver in mind. Since 1963, it has undergone a few transformations and arrived at what it is today. These upgrades have a direct effect on its quality, style, and the Cosmograph Daytona price.
How much is the Cosmograph Daytona?
The Cosmograph Daytona price varies. There are several factors for the varied price offers to this iconic and highly- sought-after timepiece. Among these factors are the following:
Is it a model bought from official Rolex stores or outlets? Or is it a pre-loved or a collector’s item?
The materials or parts, the aesthetics of the model, along its rarity dictate the price of a Cosmograph Daytona. Paul Newman’s personal Daytona made history the third-highest – ever price for a Rolex at an auction. At the auction, it was sold for nearly $5.5 million. An anonymous collector bought Paul Newman’s Daytona for a record-breaking price of USD 5,475,000. The rarity of the watch is to be accounted for its outrageous price. This Daytona watch features the Daytona name in extra-large red lettering, and from which it earns the nickname “Big Red.” Paul Newman, a celebrated actor of his time, was also a race car driver. He was frequently photographed wearing the Daytona, a gift from his wife, Joanne Woodward. What made it more remarkable is the engraved words at the watch’s case, which read as “ Drive Slowly – Joanne.” Rolex watches typically sell for between $1,531 – $96,957. This price range makes the Daytona the 2nd most expensive out of the 16 collections in the Rolex catalog.
All Cosmograph Daytona is water-resistant at 100 meters, equipped with a power reserve of 72 hours, Caliber 4130, features 44 jewels, and scratch-resistant sapphire. Here is a glimpse of some Cosmograph Daytona models, their specifications, and prices.
Rolex 116503 Cosmograph Daytona
This watch measures 40 mm and 12 mm in case diameter and thickness. When it comes to dials, it uses numerals with a gold/steel case material. Moreover, the bezel is in yellow gold. How much does it cost? Your average retail price sells for only $16,640 while the market average price can go as high as $20,572.
Rolex 116505 Cosmograph Daytona
Unlike the 116503, the case material and bezel are in rose gold; it has no numerals and a case diameter of 40 mm. How much do you need to prepare for a Rolex 116505 Cosmograph Daytona? It retails for $40,385 while in the market, it spikes to an average of $44,919.
Rolex 116515 Cosmograph Daytona
This Daytona uses Arabic for its dial numerals, the bezel is ceramic, and the case material is Rose Gold. On average, it costs $30,465 in retail, while in the market you can expect to cost to an average price of $35,263.
Rolex 116519 LN Cosmograph Daytona
The average retail price is $ 48,000. There are no numerals for the dial, and the bezel is also ceramic. You are getting your money’s worth with all the signature features of a Rolex that come with this watch.
Rolex 116509 Cosmograph Daytona
The case material and bezel are in White Gold. Like the other models, this timepiece is water-resistant up to 100 meters, the dial numerals are in Arabic, and the price ranges from $40,385 for retail price, and the market price is $36,624 on average.
Rolex 116500LN Cosmograph Daytona
The ceramic properties are combined with the diamond polish finish and provide scratch proof and resistance to color degradation. This watch can cost you around $12,225 for the average retail price and $27,932 for the market average price.
It is a fact that models in 18 ct yellow, white, or rose gold – popularly called Everose have the reference number 116508 and are being sold at higher prices than stainless steel. Moreover, the three versions come in 18 – karat white gold (116519 LN), 18-carat yellow gold (116508), and 18-carat Everose gold (116505) that feature meteorite dials. With these being mentioned, the latest Daytonas do not come cheap in terms of price. Though it is not the first time Rolex used meteors in their dial, it still made the cost remarkably expensive. This material also adds to the rarity of the item and affects the price significantly.
Why do you need to purchase a Cosmograph Daytona?
An Iconic Item of Exceptional Functionality
Rolex, as always, combines functionality and style perfectly. The Cosmograph Daytona combines 18K yellow gold and 904L steel with a fixed 18K gold bezel with engraved tachymetric scale.
It also features caliber 4130, a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement, and is a certified Swiss chronometer. The black dial display has two counters and shows the hours and minutes. At the same time, the Oyster bracelet features broad, flat three-piece links. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona and the winding crown are waterproof up to 330 feet or 100 meters.
An Investment of a lifetime
Rolex maintains its value over time. The craftsmanship, technology, and materials used for a piece of Rolex are the factors that make it not only among the most expensive watches but also a sought-after luxury. It is passed on as an heirloom, and a significant return of investment is secured when you own such timepieces.
Conclusion
There is no doubt that Swiss brand Rolex is the leading name in the watch-making industry. And the Cosmograph Daytona is another excellent addition to its watch collections. The Cosmograph Daytona efficiently serves as a driving tool while keeping the rider in style.
