{"id":3304,"date":"2019-05-10T06:54:13","date_gmt":"2019-05-10T06:54:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/TheWatchClub\/?p=3304"},"modified":"2025-08-04T09:21:31","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T09:21:31","slug":"6-key-models-in-rolex-daytona-history","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.swisswatchexpo.com\/thewatchclub\/2019\/05\/10\/6-key-models-in-rolex-daytona-history\/","title":{"rendered":"6 Key Models in Rolex Daytona History"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n
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6 Key Models in Rolex Daytona History<\/h1>\n

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Rolex has produced iconic and remarkable watches that are sought after by collectors and casual wearers alike. However, it can be said that there is no other watch more pursued by collectors than the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Launched in 1963, the Daytona has a long, colorful history and a wide range of models that make it so interesting to collect and delve into. Let\u2019s trace the story of the Daytona with six milestone models:<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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BEGINNINGS OF THE ROLEX DAYTONA<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n
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Many consider the Rolex Daytona as synonymous to \u201cRolex chronograph\u201d, but the brand actually started producing chronograph watches as early as the 1930s. In that decade, Rolex produced chronograph wristwatches with single push buttons to start, stop, and reset the watch.<\/p>\n

In 1955, Rolex introduced a manual-wind chronograph with the Oyster case, ref 6234. It also featured a tachymeter scale on the outer ring and a telemeter scale on the inner ring. These early iterations would become the basis of the Daytona.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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KEY MODELS OF THE ROLEX DAYTONA<\/strong><\/span><\/h1>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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ref 6238<\/strong><\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong>Pre-Daytona Chronograph<\/a> (1960)<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The \u201cPre-Daytona\u201d ref 6238 is considered the father of the Rolex Daytona, as this is where is started to take its now iconic form.<\/p>\n

This is where the contemporary aesthetic of the Daytona started to take shape: monochromatic dials, baton hands, and the removal of the telemeter scale (used to measure distances) resulted in a cleaner look. It was powered by the The Valjoux Calibre 72 chronograph movement.<\/p>\n

This model did not yet have the Oyster case nor the screw-down crown and buttons. In production until 1967, it coincided with the its updated version, ref 6239.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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ref 6239<\/span>\u00a0|\u00a0<\/strong>the very first Rolex Daytona (1963)<\/strong><\/h2>\n
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The reference 6239 is the very first Rolex Daytona. Even though it wasn\u2019t even called a Daytona then, this model marked the period where chronographs were categorized and named.<\/p>\n

Eventually, Rolex\u2019s sponsorship of the 24 hour race at the Daytona International Speedway led to it being named the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 1964. The following year, the name \u201cDaytona\u201d finally appeared on the dial.<\/p>\n

Why is this considered the first Daytona?<\/span><\/strong><\/h2>\n

Changes made to this model gave it the sporty, ruggedly elegant look that the Daytona has become famous for:<\/p>\n

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  • Rolex switched to inverse colors for sub-dials, from the ref 6238\u2019s entirely monochromatic dial<\/li>\n
  • The tachymeter scale was moved from the edge of the dial, onto the bezel<\/li>\n
  • Initially, the bezel was graduated up to 300 units \/ hour. Later on, it was changed to 200\u00a0units \/ hour<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

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    Watch Wednesday: Vintage #Rolex<\/a> “Paul Newman” Daytona, ref. 6239. Contact: Rbrack@Chr… http:\/\/t.co\/XxA3JUg72w<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/g88B61HKXp<\/a><\/p>\n

    \u2014 Christie’s (@ChristiesInc) March 19, 2014<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n