The 2017 Cosmograph Daytona
Earlier last year, we briefly wrote about the 2017 Cosmograph Daytona and its unveiling at the 2017 Baselworld convention. Out of all of the watches that debuted this year, the new Daytona is probably the most deserving of a closer look.
Without even diving in to the details yet, we can tell you that this watch is an absolute stunner. It is available in 18 kt yellow, white, or Everose gold. For the purposes of this post, we are going to focus on the yellow gold variation.
There’s a lot to love about this watch, even if the Daytona isn’t necessarily your cup of tea. Rolex has been doing an unbelievable job of mixing in old school elements that every watch fanatic will appreciate with their newest technology and products.
The Daytona history
Created in 1963, the Rolex Daytona has been a staple of the racing community for decades. The watch was known as a performance-driven, highly reliable watch that allowed drivers to calculate their speed in real time using the watches’ chronometer and tachymetric scale on the dial.
Eventually, the tachymetric scale was moved to the bezel to create more room, and the iconic Daytona look was born.
The Daytona has changed many times over the years, but the unique bezel and feel of the watch have largely remained the same. Vintage Daytonas, like the Paul Newman Daytona, are some of the most highly sought after watches in the watch collecting world.
Read also: Life in the Fast Lane: Rolex Daytona
New Oysterflex bracelet
When looking at the new 2017 Cosmograph Daytona, the first major change you’ll likely notice is the new Oysterflex bracelet.
Here is how Rolex describes their Oysterflex bracelets:
“The Oysterflex bracelet combines in a singular way the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet with the exibility, comfort and aesthetics of an elastomer strap” – Rolex.com
As composite materials have gained popularity recently and the quality over wearing time has increased, fine watch makers have embraced the trend wholeheartedly. This isn’t a cheap-feeling rubber strap that will age poorly or break easily.
Rolex has gone far out of their way to ensure that the Oysterflex bracelet is comfortable and extremely durable at the same time.
Did we mention that it looks really good too?
Read also: Buy luxury watches in Houston at Jonathan’s Fine Jewelers!
Tachymetric scale, Cerachrom bezel, and Oysterlock case
Ceramic bezels have been taking over the fine watch world in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. The 2017 Rolex Daytona features a black monobloc Cerachrom bezel, which is corrosion resistant, won’t fade, and is essentially scratch-proof.
The look is a nod to the black plexiglass bezel inserts that can be found on many vintage Daytona watches, but at the same time it’s a much higher quality product that will last a lifetime.
Included as always is the tachymetric scale on the bezel, which allows the wearer to measure average speeds of up to 400 miles or kilometers.
All of the engraving on the Daytona’s Cerachrom bezel is done in either 18 ct gold or platinum (depending on the model that you choose) via a process called PVD or “Physical Vapor Deposition”.
Last but not least, the 2017 Daytona makes use of the Oysterlock case, which is hermetically sealed and fully waterproof up to 100 feet. Also included is the Triplock triple waterproofness system on the winding crown, and scratch-proof sapphire crystal that has become a staple of modern Rolex watches.
Technical Specs
Oyster, 40 mm, yellow gold
Monobloc middle case, screw-down case back and winding crown
40 mm
18 kt yellow gold
Black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with engraved tachymetric scale
Screw-down, Triplock triple waterproofness system
Scratch-resistant sapphire
Waterproof to 100 metres / 330 feet
Perpetual, mechanical chronograph, self-winding
4130, Manufacture Rolex
-2/+2 sec/day, after casing
Centre hour, minute and seconds hands, small seconds hand at 6 o’clock. Chronograph (centre hand) accurate to within 1/8 of a second, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock. Stop seconds for precise time setting
Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring
Bidirectional self-winding via Perpetual rotor
Approximately 72 hours
Oysterflex
Flexible metal blades overmoulded with high-performance elastomer
Champagne and black
Highly legible Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence
Final thoughts on the Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
If you’re a Daytona fan and are looking for a new watch that will stand out from the crowd, the 2017 Daytona is the one for you. This watch could work well as a casual daily wear, or as an upscale addition to a suit and tie ensemble.
If you are interested in purchasing your own Rolex Daytona (or any model), give us a call or fill out our contact form. Check out our Facebook page for box openings and watch reviews by our in-house watch expert Sergio Nuncio!
