They do more than merely tell the time – sports and ‘tool’ watches measure performance, ensure safety and occasionally, become style icons, reports our watch editor.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
When it comes to motorsports one word carries a tremendous world of imagery and emotion behind it: Daytona. Not only a legendary race track in Florida but also, thanks to Rolex, a legendary wristwatch. The Rolex Daytona is one of the most sought after timepieces in the world, some models having mythical-like status. Paul Newman’s own Rolex Cosmograph Daytona will go under the Hammer in New York on October 26, 2017 and, considering that a Paul Newman Daytona that wasn’t owned by the actor sold in Geneva in 2016 for $2.5 million, perhaps there’ll be a new auction record in Autumn.
The new 2017 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona comes in three new versions – 18 carat yellow, white or Everose gold, fitted onto a new Oysterflex bracelet, which Rolex have developed and patented. The innovation consists of a superelastic metal blade overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer, so it delivers the flexibility and comfort of a rubberized strap but with the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet.
The black ceramic monobloc Cerachrom bezel, also patented by Rolex, is a signature part of the watch’s identity with the tachymetric scale for measuring average speeds of up to 400 units of distance – miles or kilometres – per hour. The sold black colour not only contrasts strikingly with the yellow gold but it is also corrosion resistant, virtually scratchproof and it will never fade as the black is unaffected by UV rays.
Overall, it’s another redoubtably impressive evolution of an iconic watch, blending high technology and sleek aesthetics, and enhancing further the heritage of this legendary chronograph.
By: Nick Rice