Rolex & Daytona: A match made in heaven
The iconic crown and motorsports’ most illustrious racing event joined forces at The Rolex 24 at Daytona.
The story of Rolex from its origin to what it has become today is a monumental tale, inextricably linked to founder Hans Wilsdorf and his visionary spirit.
But Rolex is much more than the iconic crown you want to see on your wrist. Many people are unaware of Rolex’s pursuit of excellence beyond the realm of watchmaking. Its support this through the years of arts and culture, exploration, sustainability and sports has allowed dreams to come true and made a lasting impact on society.
One of those is Rolex’s longstanding ties with motorsports. It has been a prominent supporter of the dazzling, dramatic and demanding 24 Hours of Le Mans since the 1960s and the official Title Sponsor since 1992.
This race, also known as the “twice-around-the the-clock challenge,” draws the world’s élite-calibre drivers and teams to compete in a battle of endurance, automotive reliability and tenacity. But this year’s competition was extraordinary. Not only did it mark the start of the Swiss watchmaker’s presence in the 2024 racing season, it also celebrated the 65th anniversary of Daytona.
“As a racing driver, I love Rolex’s historic connection to motorsport, a relationship that has stood the test of time.”
On January 27th at 1:40 p.m., the Rolex 24-hour clock signalled the start of the Rolex 24 at Daytona. The competitors demonstrated their own fiery spirits by burning rubber the best way they knew how on the track at the Daytona International Speedway.
Jenson Button, 2009 FIA Formula 1 World Drivers’ Champion and Rolex Testimonee was eager to compete. In his 17 years in Formula 1, Button achieved 15 Grand Prix wins and 50 podium finishes.
“The Rolex 24 At Daytona is an incredibly special race, and it will be an honour to compete, especially as a Rolex Testimonee. It’s definitely something I would never have dreamed possible,” says Button.
“To the victor go the spoils” is an adage that is firmly understood by all the competitors as winners of this race receive respect and glory. While winning remains the primary goal, the competition historically has been geared toward encouraging manufacturers to build sporty yet reliable cars, with innovation at the forefront. Above all, demanding race requires durable, reliable and fuel- efficient vehicles that spend as little time in the pits as possible.
With that in mind, the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona watch was crafted to exemplify precision and endurance. The timepiece boasts a smooth second-hand sweep, allowing an accurate reading of 1/8 second, while the two counters on the dial display the lapsed time in hours and minutes. Drivers can accurately map out their track times and tactics without fail.
Button says, “As a racing driver, I love Rolex’s historic connection to motorsport, a relationship that has stood the test of time. Through its dedication to speed and motorsport, Rolex created the Cosmograph, a timepiece that became the iconic Daytona. Everyone knows this watch is for the racing driver, and it’s the watch all of us want to win.”
