The Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans 126529LN: A legend reborn
Fernando AldeaRolex once again surprises watch and motorsport enthusiasts by uniting two worlds with the launch of the Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans 126529LN, commemorating the centenary of the iconic French race.
The world of watchmaking and motorsport share a unique affinity. Watch brands have always looked for ways to pay tribute to the speed and precision that define motor racing. Rolex, the undisputed leader in luxury watchmaking, has once again demonstrated its ability to combine these two passions in a truly spectacular creation: the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans Reference 126529LN. This timepiece, launched to commemorate the centenary of one of the world's toughest and most prestigious races, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, is a vivid reminder of Rolex's history in motorsport and its dedication to watchmaking excellence.
Rolex has a long and rich history dating back to 1905, when Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis founded the company in London, before moving to Geneva, Switzerland, in 1919. Over the years, Rolex has created iconic watches that are highly regarded for their distinctive design and impeccable craftsmanship. In 1963, Rolex launched the Cosmograph Daytona, a timepiece specifically designed to meet the demands of professional racing drivers. Named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, the Cosmograph Daytona quickly became a symbol of the connection between Rolex and the world of motorsport. The model introduced in 1963, often referred to as the "Paul Newman" after the famous actor who wore it, is considered one of the most sought-after and collectible watches in the world.
Today, as we celebrate the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, Rolex has decided to create a special edition of the Daytona. Since 1923, the 24 Hours of Le Mans has been a highlight of the endurance racing calendar, challenging teams to compete for 24 hours straight on one of the world's most challenging circuits. The Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans Ref. 126529LN pays tribute to this iconic race, once again highlighting the intrinsic relationship between Rolex and high-performance motor racing.
The Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans 126529LN combines the best of classic Daytona styling with exciting new features. The watch features an 18-carat white gold case and a new lacquered black dial, which pays tribute to the asphalt of Le Mans. The subdials feature the reverse "Panda" pattern, reminiscent of the iconic "Paul Newman" Daytona. The gold hour markers, hands, and the rim of the subdials are coated with luminescent Chromalight, for optimal legibility in all lighting conditions.
Inside the case, the watch is powered by Rolex's in-house automatic movement, the caliber 4130. This movement, which is composed of 201 components, is a pillar of the reliability and precision you've come to expect from Rolex. The caliber 4130 also features a Parachrom hairspring, which provides greater resistance to shocks and temperature variations. With a power reserve of approximately 72 hours, the Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans ensures long-lasting performance.
Furthermore, the watch's bezel is fitted with a black Cerachrom ceramic tachymeter scale, a design feature that has been a constant on Daytona models since 1963. The tachymeter scale allows wearers to measure average speed up to 400 kilometers or miles per hour, underscoring its racing heritage. The watch also features a Triplock screw-down crown that guarantees water resistance to 100 meters.
Compared to its predecessors, the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans 126529LN stands out with several subtle updates and differences. While previous Daytona models have featured a variety of color and material combinations, the 126529LN is distinguished by its 18-karat white gold case and lacquered black dial, a first for the Daytona line.
Additionally, unlike previous models, this Daytona features the reverse "Panda" pattern on its subdials, a nod to the "Paul Newman" Daytona. This feature pays homage to the Daytona's rich history and distinguishes the new model from its predecessors.
With the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans 126529LN, Rolex has once again managed to capture the essence of its long-standing relationship with the world of motorsport. This timepiece celebrates the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in a meaningful and memorable way. From its 18-carat white gold construction to its lacquered black dial and reverse "Panda" subdials, every element of the timepiece has been carefully selected to pay tribute to the history and grandeur of the race. And as always, Rolex has made no compromises when it comes to functionality, with the caliber 4130 ensuring reliable performance. The Rolex Daytona 24 Hours of Le Mans 126529LN is undoubtedly a timepiece worthy of its heritage.
https://content.rolex.com/v7/dam/new-watches/2023/new-cosmograph-daytona/videos/cosmograph-daytona-100-tvc/professional-watches-new-cosmograph-daytona-100-m126529ln-0001-tvc.mp4Specs
| ROLEX COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 126529LN |
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REFERENCE : 126529LN |
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MOVEMENT : Perpetual, mechanical, self-winding chronograph Calibre 4132, Manufacture Rolex | Accuracy within -2/+2 seconds per day after assembly | Paramagnetic blue Parachrom balance spring. High-performance Paraflex shock absorbers | Bi-directional self-winding via Perpetual rotor | Power reserve of approximately 72 hours |
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CASE : Oyster, 40 mm, white gold | Monobloc case, screw-down caseback and crown | 40 mm diameter | 18K white gold | Monobloc Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic with molded tachymeter scale. Red ceramic numeral "100" | Screw-down crown with Triplock triple waterproofness system | Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal | Water-resistant to 100 meters/330 feet |
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DIAL/HANDS : Vivid black and vivid white | High-legibility Chromalight display with long-lasting blue luminescence |
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BRACELET : Oyster bracelet (3 elements), solid 18K white gold links | Oysterlock folding clasp with convenient 5mm Easylink extension system |
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FUNCTIONS : Central hour and minute hands, small seconds at 6 o'clock. Chronograph with central seconds hand, 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and 24-hour counter at 9 o'clock. Stop-seconds function for precise time setting. |
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AVAILABILITY/PRICE : June 2023 | €42,407 |
