Rolex introduces three exclusive versions of its Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona at Watches and Wonders 2021. All three feature a dial made from metallic meteorite – a rare natural material from outer space – with black chronograph counters at 3, 6 and 9 o’clock.
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
With its origins in the far reaches of the solar system, the material which adorns the dial of these new Cosmograph Daytona watches – metallic meteorite – comes from an asteroid that exploded millions of years ago. On the voyage between planets, fragments of this natural extraterrestrial material, primarily composed of iron and nickel, cool by a few degrees Celsius every million years, creating unique, distinctive crystallization within the material that is impossible to recreate on Earth.
Metallic meteorite is rare and challenging to work with, but once it is cut into thin sections and a chemical treatment is applied, the great beauty of its interwoven internal structure is revealed. These fascinating and varied formations are known as Widmanst.tten patterns. For its dials, Rolex works with leading experts in the field and selects only the sections of meteorite with a particularly well-formed surface rich in different shapes and reflections.
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
The version in 18 ct white gold is fitted with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic with a tachymetric scale, and an Oysterflex bracelet. The other two watches, one in 18 ct yellow gold and the other in 18 ct Everose gold, have a metal bezel with a tachymetric scale and are on an Oyster bracelet. A standout visual feature of the Cosmograph Daytona since its launch, the iconic tachymetric scale is moulded into the first watch’s Cerachrom bezel and engraved on the metal bezels of the other two versions.
Close-up on the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Meteorite dial
The new versions of the Cosmograph Daytona are equipped with calibre 4130, a movement at the forefront of watchmaking technology. It incorporates a chronograph function with a reduced number of components, thereby enhancing the movement’s reliability. It is engaged by a robust mechanism with a column wheel and vertical clutch, allowing an instantaneous and extremely precise start.
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Launched in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was designed to meet the needs of professional racing drivers.