Upon the occasion of the Watches & Wonders 2021 novelty presentation, Rolex has revealed three new Daytona watches in white gold, yellow gold and Everose gold. All three feature a extraordinary dial made from metallic meteorite.
Meteorites Dials
Metallic meteorites come from asteroids that exploded millions of years ago. On their journey through space, fragments (primarily composed of iron and nickel) cool by a few degrees Celsius every million years. This creates a unique, distinctive crystallization within the material that is impossible to recreate on Earth. Metallic meteorites are challenging to work with and are cut into thin sections, which reveal the interwoven internal structure.
Executions
The version in 18 ct white gold, Reference 116519 LN, is fitted with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic with a tachymetric scale and Oysterflex-bracelet, a combination of metal bracelet and elastomer strap. The flexible metal blades (made from a titanium and nickel alloy) are covered with high-performance black elastomer.
Meanwhile, the new 18 ct yellow gold version Reference 116508 and 18 ct Everose gold Reference 116505 feature a bezel with a tachymeter scale plus an Oyster bracelet. As for the Cerachrom bezel – the tachymeter scale is moulded into the bezel and for the other two versions, the scale is engraved on the metal bezel.
Movement
The new Cosmograph Daytona watches are powered by a powerful calibre 4130 with column wheel and vertical clutch. It was entirely developed and manufactured in-house and first fitted on this model in 2000. The chronograph function has a reduced number of components that helps to reduce friction and enhances the movement’s reliability.
The movement is fitted with a blue Parachrom hairspring, manufactured by Rolex in a paramagnetic alloy that makes it up to 10 times more precise than a traditional hairspring in case of shocks. The blue Parachrom hairspring is equipped with a Rolex overcoil, ensuring the calibre’s regularity in any position. The calibre 4130 offers a power reserve of 72 hours.
Superlative Chronometer certification
All new Cosmograph Daytona executions are covered with the Superlative Chronometer certification – redefined by Rolex in 2015. The precision of a Rolex Superlative Chronometer is of the order of –2 /+2 seconds per day. The green seal that comes with every Rolex watch is coupled with an international five-year guarantee.