After the success of 2014’s ‘Moonwatch Only‘, the Swiss publishing company is once again publishing its two authors Anthony Marquié and Grégoire Rossier: two books on the legendary Rolex model written with the expert involvement of author Tiffany To.
Joël A. Grandjean, JSH Magazine & Swiss-Watch-Passport.ch’s editor in chief
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Aimed at both connoisseurs and casual enthusiasts, the books written by Anthony Marquié and Grégoire Rossier have enjoyed undeniable success. Watchprint, the early publishing company based in Switzerland and a key player in the distribution of watchmaking books worldwide, is continuing for these two Rolex editions its successful run, this time with the expert contribution of author Tiffany To from the famous Phillips watch auction house.
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Words of intent
“The idea of a book dedicated to the Rolex Daytona goes back several years. Our passion for watches – particularly chronographs – led us to write ‘Moonwatch Only‘, our first watchmaking reference work on Omega’s Speedmaster, over ten years ago. Naturally, this same passion could only lead us to this new project”, Marquié and Rossier explain.
Cosmograph Daytona… a legendary name among watch enthusiasts
In 1963, Rolex launched the Cosmograph Daytona, a sports chronograph that has continued to evolve in the spirit of the brand, striving to improve existing technology and push back the limits of technical feasibility.
The Daytona evokes the speed and roar of motor racing, prestige and admiration. The origin of this myth? Daytona Beach, the Florida town famous for its motorcycle and car races on its eponymous beach. In 1959, the Daytona 500 race was held at Daytona International Speedway, and three years later Rolex became the official timekeeper, marking the beginning of the history of the famous Cosmograph Daytona. Chronograph complications and the history of Rolex have always been inextricably linked.
Daytona, fame and dangerous variations
There are very few watches as famous as the Rolex Daytona. And while this may seem self-evident today, it wasn’t always the case: contrary to what you might think, its success wasn’t immediate. The fact remains that today it enjoys a reputation probably unequalled in the history of modern watchmaking. This unique recognition has made it one of the most coveted watches in the world, leading to enormous speculation – both financial and psychological – among collectors and watch enthusiasts alike.
Variations in configuration, starting with the famous “Paul Newman” dials, can result in extravagant price differences, often inconceivable to the public at large. The temptation for unscrupulous market players to reconstitute non-original but particularly expensive versions can be strong. As a result, many questionable examples have appeared over the years in a market where the financial stakes are constantly rising. This phenomenon affects virtually all Daytonas, including some of the most expensive models, whose original conformity has sometimes been the subject of heated debate and divergent conclusions between renowned experts.
Rigorous methodology and specific vocabulary
The authors, Anthony Marquié and Grégoire Rossier: “The methodology we use in our books is always based on the databases we have built up over the years. Each component of the watch is analyzed, classified and integrated into these databases according to proven procedures. This enables us to determine with a very high degree of precision the original configurations of the different references according to the years of production. However, this system is more complicated to apply in certain situations, particularly for the Daytona. For this reason, it would have been illusory to write an exhaustive work. We have done our utmost to ensure that this book adds real value and sheds new light on this watch.”
The various versions of the “Daytona Cosmagraph”, which has been on the market for 60 years, have been given different names by collectors, who have created a rich and sometimes esoteric vocabulary over the years. “This contributes to the model’s mystery and renown, but perhaps also to a certain apprehension among less knowledgeable enthusiasts” confirm the two authors. Over the course of their pages and chapters, the reader can thus become familiar with the Daytona universe: understand its technical evolutions, grasp the nuances between the different models, get to know the names and nicknames, and appreciate their rarity and value. Thanks to a fluid, easy-to-understand overview, the reader is able to identify the main features of the watch’s constituent parts, such as calibers, dials, bezels and pushers.
Dedicated to hand-wound models produced between 1963 and 1988. This book is a celebration of this illustrious history, forged by many characters, the most famous of whom is undoubtedly actor, philanthropist and racing driver Paul Newman.
Price € 175,00
The Watchprint publishing company
N° ISBN 978-2-940506-53-8 (English Version)
N° ISBN 978-2-940506-54-5 (French version)
Size: 27.6 x 23.8 cm, 288 pages, over 350 illustrations
Entirely devoted to automatic models (from 1988 to the present day). 25 years after the launch of its flagship model, Rolex decided to equip it with an automatic winding caliber, definitively replacing the old manual winding movements. The Daytona thus became probably one of the most coveted watches in history. Since then, the Daytona has continued to evolve, incorporating a host of technical innovations, from the ever more efficient movement to other components such as the ceramic strap and bezel. A much wider range is now available, including versions in precious metal and/or set with stones. However, the brand has always retained the distinctive DNA that makes this icon so instantly recognizable.
Price € 175,00
The Watchprint Publishing company
Sizet: 27,6 x 23,8 cm, 318 pages, over 350 illustrations
N° ISBN 978-2-940506-56-9 (English version)
N° ISBN 978-2-940506-57-6 (French version)