The Rolex Daytona has been the official gift for the Daytona Motor Speedway’s sports car champions for decades. But add the rare Rolex meteorite dial, and this motorsports-bred Rolex Daytona 116519MT becomes the ultimate trophy for the gearheads of planet Earth… or any other planet, for that matter.Īnd what a trophy it is. When rendered in 18-karat white gold and shod with a rich black alligator leather strap, the look is a akin to a Facel Vega or Duesenberg: equal parts grace and power. Whether one is attracted to the rich history of the brand or simply finds its products notable from an investment perspective, Rolex is a company whose wares are guaranteed to remain a benchmark for horological quality forever.The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is a special watch. (Notably, the Crown even forges its own gold.) It wasn’t until the early 21st century that Rolex became the vertically integrated manufacturing behemoth that it is today, purchasing everything from movement manufacturers to bracelet companies.
(Indeed, hand-wound Daytonas sold today at auction for eye-watering prices feature run-of-the-mill Valjoux movements that feature in watches from hundreds of other brands). Interestingly, for most of the firm’s history, Rolex largely did not produce its components in-house, including its movements. And the company continues to support scientific endeavors around the world. Despite its association since the 1970s more with luxury and status than with commando operations behind enemy lines or sporting achievements, Rolex still makes one of the most robust timepieces available on the contemporary market.
Everest in 1953, Rolex watches have been associated with adventure for the better part of a century. Whether it’s a simple, time-only Air King, a function-first Submariner or a complicated GMT Master II for the jet set, a Rolex commands a certain respect on the wrist and says something about the discerning eye of its owner.įrom the swimming of the English channel in 1927 to the scaling of Mt. His efforts were clearly successful: Today, the word “Rolex” is nearly synonymous in the minds of millions around the word with “watch.”įrom the early waterproof Oyster case of the 1920s through to the ultra-complicated Sky Dweller of today, Rolex models and innovations have captivated a global audience and permeated the zeitgeist unlike those of any other brand. A veritable marketing genius, Wilsdorf understood the power of story, associating his watches with the most notable and intrepid athletes, explorers, soldiers and politicians of the 20th century. Though much younger than many of its heavy-hitting horological cousins, Rolex has been at the fore of contemporary watch design virtually since its inception in 1905 by founder Hans Wilsdorf. The Daytona, in all its various guises, has long been a favorite of collectors the world over, and it's easy to see why in the case of this contemporary piece! This particular watch, a Reference 116519, dates to circa 2005-2006 and features a 40mm 18k white gold Oyster case, a sapphire crystal, a very striking and mesmerizing meteorite dial with applied white gold indices and a matching exotic handset, and an excellent black alligator leather strap with a matching white gold Fliplock clasp.įurthermore, this piece remains in absolutely outstanding, nearly-new condition throughout and comes with its box & papers. And while current automatic versions admittedly don't do as much for us as a nice hand-cranking example, a Daytona is a Daytona, and that’s just fine with us.īut this is no run of the mill modern Daytona.
Why? Rolex's brilliant motorsports chronograph is in pole position in any category, vintage or modern. We all know the Daytona story - that of a model that has proven to be an all-time favorite amongst collectors.
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