{"id":532,"date":"2018-10-15T23:08:27","date_gmt":"2018-10-15T23:08:27","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.lucamusumeci.com\/blog\/?p=532"},"modified":"2018-11-23T15:02:15","modified_gmt":"2018-11-23T15:02:15","slug":"the-special-rolex-daytona-dial-quick-101-lesson","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lucamusumeci.com\/blog\/the-special-rolex-daytona-dial-quick-101-lesson\/","title":{"rendered":"The Special Rolex\u00a0Daytona Dial\u00a0– Quick 101 Lesson"},"content":{"rendered":"

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The Special Rolex\u00a0Daytona Dial\u00a0<\/strong><\/h1>\n

There is no vintage watch topic that does not touch on the prevalence of the Rolex Daytona. Lets all face it, it\u2019s a watch that brings about an unchartered amount of curiosity and lore. Written below we will delve into a brief and very condensed overview of the Daytona family lineup. It will allow you to differentiate one model from another. We will explain where all these terms come from and what they actually mean.<\/p>\n

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The Red Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The ever-cool signature found on the dial above the six o\u2019clock sub-dial. Distinctive recognition due to its oversized red color printed “Daytona\u201d. This feature is found on references 6263 and 6265.<\/p>\n

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Double Swiss<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Found on early Daytona\u2019s and features a double printed \u201cSwiss\u201d on the six o\u2019clock sector of the dial. This occurrence came about due to the presence of a large bezel that covered the lower part of the dials. As per regulation Rolex had to re-print these dials with an additional \u201cSwiss\u201d. A double Swiss print on a dial is coveted and carries a substantial premium price tag.<\/p>\n

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Image via 10PastTen<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Floating Cosmograph<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Rolex vocab is applied when a line of text is floating or suspended below the text or above the chronograph sub dial. Really cool detail to see in person.<\/p>\n

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Oyster First Series<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Another form of \u201cfloating\u201d occurrence where there are gaps between multiple lines of text. This detail is prevalent on some gold screw down Daytona\u2019s such as the ref. 6263 and 6265. An Oyster split Daytona is incredibly rare.<\/p>\n

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Lot 4 from Phillips Daytona Ultimatum Auction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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John Player Special<\/strong><\/h2>\n

The highly lauded JPS Daytona is found on yellow gold models and is fitted on black dialed \u201cExotic Paul Newman\u2019s\u201d and text is printed in gold lettering. Named John Player Special after its similarity with the color schemes of the 1970\u2019s John Player Special car racing team. There was never an affiliation between the team and the Rolex manufacture.<\/p>\n

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Lot 24 from Phillips Daytona Ultimatum Auction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Oyster Sotto<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Is seen on Daytona\u2019s with the \u201cOyster\u201d print located beneath the \u201cCosmograph\u201d print. Oyster Sotto\u2019s are found on early batches of the exotic dialed screw down chronographs. Sotto\u2019s are amongst the most coveted variations and those who own them know exactly what they are doing.<\/p>\n

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Lot 14 from Phillips Daytona Ultimatum Auction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Panda Chronograph<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Is a Daytona fitted with a white dial accompanied by black sub dials. Much like a panda bear.<\/p>\n

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Double Stamped Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

A double stamped Daytona is the dream for many a collector. A twice stamped dial features the Rolex name but also the name of the retailer that originally sold the watch. Tifanny & Co. remains to the day the most significant partner of the Swiss manufacturer. It is common for double stamped Daytona\u2019s to feature a hand engraved inventory number inscribed on the back side of the case lug.<\/p>\n

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Lot 171 from Phillips The Geneva Watch Auction: Seven<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Sigma Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Are those dials that feature solid white gold indexes and hands. These types of dials are found on both steel and gold models, and they represent an additional step taken in the quality control. A Sigma dial can be identified by observing the small Greek sigma letters printed below the six o\u2019clock mark.<\/p>\n

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Tropical Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Is a dial that has become brown from its original black color. This phenomenon is caused by an error in pigmentation coupled with exposure to UV rays. An evenly brown dial on a Daytona is an unbelievable sight and a detail that drives collectors and auction houses afire.<\/p>\n

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Underline Daytona<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Dial features a short line underneath the text at 12 o \u2018clock or 6 o\u2019clock. Rolex introduced as a measure to indicate their transition from using radioactive radium with tritium as the source of dial luminescence. The underline Daytona ceased after dials incorporated the tritium indicating wording conveniently located below the six o\u2019clock marking.<\/p>\n

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Lot 23 from Phillips Daytona Ultimatum Auction<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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