ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona 126506
Finally, the wait is over and Rolex has unveiled their highly anticipated new releases for 2023. Among these new timepieces, one that stands out, in particular, is the platinum Daytona, which has garnered much attention for its luxurious design and impeccable craftsmanship. This year marks a special milestone for the Daytona, as it celebrates its 70th anniversary. It’s hard to miss the significance of this iconic watch’s legacy and how it continues to captivate watch enthusiasts worldwide.
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the platinum Daytona and other new Rolex models for 2023, highlighting the unique features and innovations that make them truly exceptional. Join us as we explore this historically important watch and milestone from Rolex. The Rolex Daytona is a legendary timepiece that has become an icon in the world of luxury watches. Its history can be traced back to the early 1960s, when Rolex began developing a watch specifically for racing drivers. The result was the Rolex Cosmograph, which was later renamed the Daytona, in honor of the famous race track in Florida.
The first Daytona models were released in 1963 and were powered by a hand-wound Valjoux 72 movement. These early watches featured a simple design with a clean, easy-to-read dial, and were immediately popular among professional drivers and racing enthusiasts. However, it wasn’t until the 1980s that the Daytona truly began to gain widespread recognition and appreciation among collectors and watch enthusiasts.
In 1988, Rolex introduced the new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, which featured an automatic movement and a redesigned dial. This updated version quickly became a favorite among collectors, and Rolex continued to refine and improve the design over the years.
The official launch date of the Daytona is 1963 and this means that this year, 2023, is the 70th anniversary of the model.
Rolex has always had a history of celebrating special anniversaries by releasing a new watch. The 60th anniversary of the Daytona was commemorated with the platinum, Rolex Daytona reference 116505. This watch made a huge impression on the market with its ice blue dial, hefty weight, and rather high price tag.
With this in mind, people’s expectations were high for the 70th anniversary of the Daytona and now we finally know what Rolex brought for us!
The news for 2023 was huge in regard to the Rolex Daytona. Rolex completely revamped the Daytona series with a new generation caliber, the caliber 4131. This means that all Daytona models now begin with 1265xx denoting its new-generation caliber.
Visually, the new Rolex platinum Daytona 126506 looks quite similar to the previous generation 116506 60th anniversary. But whilst it looks very similar to the previous generation, there’s certainly a lot to uncover here.
First, it is presented with a 40mm platinum case and a chestnut brown ceramic bezel. Whilst the case may look similar to the previous one, it has been reworked slightly to create more beautiful and elegant lines. What’s new is that Rolex has now added a metal edge around the ceramic bezel insert so that the insert now works as an actual insert. This obviously protects the edge of the bezel insert from knicks and bangs which may cause it to crack.
The ice blue dial has been recorded slightly with the hour markers now being slightly more pointy at their tips giving a more sporty look. Moreover, Rolex has given the dial of the Daytona a new graphic balance with resized and restyled hour markers and counter rings.
The biggest upgrade to the new Rolex Daytona 126506 is the new-generation Daytona caliber 4131. Most importantly, the watch now has a see-through case back allowing us to admire the beautiful chronograph caliber inside.
