Appreciating the speed and passion of motor racing: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch exhibition

　　Beijing SKP and Rolex invite you to visit the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona exhibition to discover the story behind this legendary timepiece. This special exhibition aims to celebrate the inspiration behind this iconic watch: a passion for speed and motor racing.

　　The Rolex Daytona exhibition will be held in the atrium on the first floor of Beijing SKP from 12 2.

　　This exhibition features a series of interactive displays tracingthe Rolex Cosmograph Daytonaits origins and evolution. Named after the capital of speed in Florida, USA, the Cosmograph Daytona is adored by racing drivers and watch enthusiasts worldwide. Visitors will also be able to admire the 2016 new Cosmograph Daytona in 904L steel. This model features a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel, combining exceptional technology with high performance alongside the unique aesthetics inherited by this watch that set Rolex apart.

　　One place, one watch, one legend

　　The Cosmograph Daytona was born in 1963, specially designed for motor racing, and soon established its glorious achievements in the racing world thanks to its reliable and outstanding performance. Adopting the name Daytona, this watch has now joined the ranks of classic timepieces, becoming a globally renowned and highly coveted chronograph.

　　Daytona is an evocative name that had already forged its own legend long before it became inextricably linked with Rolex's classic models. This legend was built upon countless land speed records, ultra-powerful engines, sand track races, and daring motoring feats.

　　Daytona – The World Capital of Speed

　　It all began in the early twentieth century on Daytona Beach in Florida, USA. This vast expanse of hard-packed sand, with its straight and flat terrain stretching for over 35 kilometres (22 miles), became a legendary playground for conquering speed and the rise of motor racing. Between 1903 and 1935, 14 world land speed records were set there. The extraordinary natural track of Daytona Beach attracted automotive pioneers from across Europe and America to gather and compete driving the most powerful cars of the era.

　　Motor racing made Daytona Beach famous worldwide, soon earning it the reputation of the "world capital of speed". In 1935 3, British driver Sir Malcolm Campbell set the top speed record of an average 445 km/h (276 mph) on Daytona Beach aboard his famous Blue Bird. Just a few months later, he broke the 300 mph limit on the Bonneville Salt Flats in Utah, setting a new world land speed record. This legendary "King of Speed" had been wearing a Rolex Oyster since the early 1930s.

　　The Driver's Watch

　　The racing tradition continued on Daytona Beach until the late 1950s, after which it was carried on at the purpose-built Daytona International Speedway. Opened in 1959, the circuit is one of the world's first super speedways. Each year, this massive tri-oval track hosts racing events as thrilling and world-renowned as the Daytona 500 and the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Daytona. The track is 4 kilometres long with banking of up to 31 degrees, making acceleration often incredibly perilous. Experienced racing drivers consider the latter to be one of the world's most gruelling races. The Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Daytona is the American equivalent of the Le Mans 24 Hours.

　　The Daytona International Speedway carries on a glorious history, and the Rolex chronograph, the Cosmograph Daytona, born in 1963, was named after it. This chronograph was highly innovative, with functions that were exceptionally easy to read due to the strong contrast between the counters and the dial. The tachymeter scale was moved from the dial onto the outer edge of the bezel. This sporty appearance was born from careful consideration of functionality, designed to meet the wearer's needs and make this watch the ultimate tool for timing and speed measurement on the track.

　　Continuing the Legend

　　For half a century, the Cosmograph Daytona has created its own legend. By the mid-1960s, it had become the prize for the winner of the Daytona 24 Hours. This race began in 1962, and was renamed the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours in 1992. Every 1 January, drivers flock here to compete, and many of the world's finest endurance racers consider the Rolex Daytona chronograph to be the highest honour to this day.

　　In 2013, driver Scott Pruett secured his fifth victory with his team. A few days before claiming the title, he stated: "It's all about this watch." Today, this major race that kicks off the American motor racing season is commonly referred to simply as the "Rolex", owing to this prestigious prize.

　　The Cosmograph Daytona is also the official timepiece of the Le Mans 24 Hours and the watch worn by Rolex testimonee Tom Kristensen. Kristensen is the only driver to have won the Le Mans 24 Hours nine times. In 2013, Rolex became a major partner of Formula One, highlighting a shared pursuit of performance, innovation, precision and excellence, thereby further strengthening its connection to motor racing.

　　Like all legends, the global success of the Cosmograph Daytona retains a hint of mystery. In 1988, following the launch of the newly designed self-winding model, the appeal of this Rolex chronograph doubled, and its charm has remained undiminished ever since. In 2000, Rolex equipped this watch with a new high-performance self-winding movement. This movement is entirely designed and manufactured in-house by Rolex. Its innovations are a symbol of Rolex watchmaking expertise and professional craftsmanship, setting a new standard for chronographs in terms of robustness, reliability, and precision.

　　Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN-78590 automatic mechanical watch

　　Watch collection: Cosmograph Daytona series

　　Movement Type: Automatic winding

　　Target Audience: Men's

　　Case Material: Stainless steel

　　Bracelet material: Stainless steel bracelet

　　Case diameter: 40 mm

　　Price: $429.32 USD

　　More than fifty years after its introduction, the Cosmograph Daytona continues to evolve. Rolex has never changed its approach: striving to design and manufacture the ideal chronograph, aiming to meet the brand's philosophy of perfection. Beyond that, legends often transcend their creators and continue to live on.

Related reading:

The mysterious alchemy of Rolex watches

Luxury classic: the Rolex Daytona

Rolex offers more than just steel bracelets; there is also the Cellini

Legendary Watch Archives: Rolex GMT Master II 16710

Rolex Submariner16613 Rolex Submariner Panama Canal Limited Edition commemorative watch