The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona might be the most famous fine timepiece in the world. Until a few years ago when a dramatic run began on Rolex Submariners, I think anyone could confidently say that the Daytona is the most popular, bar none. Would you like to sell your Rolex Daytona in San Diego? I’d love to buy it from you. Actually, even if you’re not in San Diego, we can handle the purchase with escrow and shipping.
What made the Daytona so popular? People who lobe watches will tell you it’s the Tachymeter scale printed on the bezel. This is what allows a racecar driver to calculate speed and distance, the most important functionality of the Daytona complications. (Complications, when it comes to mechanical watches, just means any functionality beyond just telling the time.) In 1988, Rolex released new models, including those available in two-tone gold and steel. This made the already popular Daytona a possible watch for dress.
Why was it already popular?
There may be a great many reasons some historians will tell you but one answer that’s probably as good as you’re going to get is just two names. Paul Newman and Steve McQueen. The legendary actors were also Rolex wearers, and the watches became associated with them. With films like The Blob, The Great Escape, and The Magificent Seven driving his fame, Steve McQueen's persona became even more of a phenomenon when he made auto racing his pastime.
He usually finished in the top ten of any race he drove and actually competed under a pseudonym because it actually violated contracts with the movie studios, who didn’t want to risk their big star getting hurt. He was larger than life, and so you can understand how when the Daytona became associated with him, the model grew in popularity. The strange thing about it was that he usually wore a Rolex Submariner!
Of course, you’ve also got Paul Newman, and so there’s even more of a reason to love the watch! Paul Newman definitely wore a Daytona, and you better believe that made plenty of folks ready to buy that watch.
If you have a Rolex Daytona you want to sell, I’d love to see it. I’m a third-generation jeweler and I’m fully committed to win-win deals. Give me a call or drop by my La Jolla showroom. You’ll be glad you did.
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