Daytona

Rolex starts producing the first COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA chronograph in 1963 with ref. 6239. The first chronograph model with screw-down buttons enters production in 1965: the ref. 6240. In 1966 Rolex launches the Cosmograph DAYTONA with graduated bezel in black with white numerals: the ref. 6241 and in 1970 it introduces two new Cosmograph Daytona models: the references 6262, which will be manufactured for only one year (1970), and 6264, manufactured for three years. In 1971 Rolex introduces two new DAYTONA chronographs, with manual winding and screw down buttons: the references 6263 and 6265; in1984 it produces very few examples of two Oyster COSMOGRAPH models with screwdown waterproof buttons, references 6269 and 6270. After the discontinued production of the manual winding Cosmograph, in 1988 Rolex launches the first references of the selfwinding chronograph with sapphire crystal on the market:16520, 16523 and 16528. In 1992 launch of the ref. 16518 and in 1997 five new versions: ref. 16519, ref. 16589 in the three variations SAPH, RUBI and BRIL. and ref. 16588 SAFU. In the Rolex catalogues, the ref. 16568 is also illustrated, with 24 “baguettes” set bezel. Rolex introduces two new Cosmograph DAYTONA in 18 carat white gold at Baselworld: the references 16599 Rubi and 16559 Saco, and in 2000 the new models with chronograph movement entirely manufactured by Rolex: refs. 116520, 116523, 116528, 116519 and 116518. In the same year Rolex creates the refs. 116568, 116589 Bril, 116589 Saci and 116589 Salv. Rolex presents in 2004 the refs. 116589 RBR, 116599 4RU, 116599 RBR, 116599 TBR and 116599 12SA and in 2008 the chronograph DAYTONA is presented for the first time in 18 carat Everose gold (ref. 116505).

References: 6239 - 6240 - 6241 - 6262 - 6263 - 6264 - 6265 - 6269 - 6270 - 16518 - 16519 - 16520 - 16523- 16528 - 16568 - 16568 - 16588 - 16589 - 16589 - 16589 - 16598 - 16599 - 16599- 116505 - 116509 - 116518 - 116519 - 116520 - 116523 - 116528 - 116568 - 116589 - 116589 - 116589 - 116589 - 116598 - 116599 - 116599 - 116599 - 116599  - 116515 - 116598RBOW

More information about this model in the books:

100 Years of Rolex
Rolex Gallery
Collecting Modern and Vintage Rolex Wristwatches
I Cronografi Rolex la Leggenda