When it comes to the luxury watch market, there are some brands that are instantly recognisable – known for their prestige and status, their exclusivity on the market, and the exceptional quality of everything from the pieces themselves to the brand’s marketing campaigns.
Rolex is a brand that most people have heard of, whether they are aware of the different watch collections or not. It has become a brand that represents the most prestigious of retailers, creating refined timepieces that are limited in availability and timeless in design.
But would you know a Rolex to look at, if you didn’t know that it was an authentic piece from the luxury brand?
Perhaps the most interesting thing about Rolex from a product perspective is the way the brand bridges quality and prestige with timeless, elegant design. These pieces do not boast bright colours and oversized logos that link back to their brand – in fact, most of what makes them so exceptional lies inside the watch and is not immediately visible.
With that said, let’s look specifically at the Rolex Daytona, its position on the market, and how its design bridges all areas of life.
What Motivated the Release of the Rolex Daytona
A part of the Rolex Professional collection of watches, the Rolex Daytona was created with racing car drivers in mind. Following the creation and opening of the Daytona Speedway in Florida in 1959, Rolex spotted an opportunity to partner with the race track and use its traction and popularity to develop something of their own. And so, the Rolex Cosmograph, later called the Daytona, was born.
Not only does the watch face tell the time, but it boasts other smaller dials that measure and track elapsed time and allow the driver to calculate their average speed.
The Daytona watch was first launched to market in 1963 for those in the world of motorsport, and has since undergone countless reinventions to finetune its mechanics and integrated features.
One of the most iconic Rolex Daytona stories in the world is that of Paul Newman, racing car driver and actor, who was gifted a Daytona by his wife. This particular timepiece became the most expensive wristwatch to ever be sold at auction, collecting $17.8 million in 2017. It led to a distinctive Paul Newman dial being released by Rolex, with the scarcity of these particular Daytona pieces making them evermore popular on today’s market.
In short, the Rolex Daytona has become a Rolex icon because of its link with high-status celebrity, its unique and innovative design features, and its integrated mechanics, which include a self-winding movement. All of this is contained within a watch which, at first glance, is simply a premium and well-made accessory. These are timepieces that look impressive but are not immediately striking in their function – creating an accessory that can be dressed up or dressed down according to the wearer’s style.
How to Style the Rolex Daytona
When looking at the styling of a Rolex Daytona timepiece, or indeed any other Rolex watch, it’s worth considering some of the celebrity and A-list owners and how they style their pieces:
- John Mayer, who describes the Rolex Daytona as ‘a brand within a brand’ – recognising the reputation and cultural following of this timepiece collection alone, even without its connection to Rolex as an overarching brand
- Sofia Vergara
- Ellen DeGeneres, who values both vintage and more modern timepieces
- Kevin Hart, who credits the Daytona as one of the first truly luxurious watches he ever bought
- Victoria Beckham
Notice anything special about this list of famous Daytona enthusiasts? There are both male and female Daytona fans, immediately making this timepiece both accessible and versatile. Much of this stems from the silhouette and size of the Daytona, which sits comfortably on both wrists – making a statement on a more delicate female wrist and blending seamlessly into a thicker male wrist.
With regard to styling, all of the above have been spotted wearing their Rolex Daytona models as part of an everyday look – paired with casual clothes to head out and about, as well as with clean-cut suits and smart outfits.
This brings us full circle back to the quality and prestige of every timepiece within the Rolex Professional collection, which is carefully crafted to offer its functional benefits and uses, but with a design that is suitable for everyday wear.
Is the Rolex Daytona a Good Rolex to Choose?
Whether you’re a first-time Rolex buyer or a luxury timepiece enthusiast looking for a new addition to your collection, the Rolex Daytona is a classic piece that represents Rolex’s dive into professional pieces with built-in functions, while retaining the highest commitment to style and elegance. Yes, the Daytona allows racing car drivers to calculate their average speed as they circle any track in the world – but it also lets them tell the time with ease, capturing the unique and the ordinary within one small watch face.
Over time, since its initial release in the 1960s, the Daytona has undergone different improvements and has seen countless versions of the design, in different colours, made using different materials, and pinpointing different features of the design.
From vintage pieces to the most modern designs, the market for Rolex Daytonas is such that any authentic model will always be coveted – owing both to the high consumer demand and the limited supply of every release.
The best way to identify which timepiece is right for you is to visit your local boutique reseller and ask to see different models from the Daytona and other Rolex collections. A reputable reseller will offer you support in selecting the right model for you, paired with the correct authentication and valuation information to protect your purchase.
So, could the Daytona be your new go-to everyday accessory?