The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the world's great luxury watch success stories. Among the various timepieces within Rolex's legendary Oyster Perpetual range, few command as much mystique among both laypeople and watch enthusiasts as does this chronograph, whose colorful history and inherent mechanical excellence have given it commanding status. Today, animated by the manufacture Rolex 4130 Caliber, it is better than ever before.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch is offered in a wide range of versions, each reference being distinguished by a world famous Oyster case, which first came into being in 1926. So named because of its impermeability to moisture and dust, the Oyster case in each Cosmograph Daytona is machined from a solid billet of stainless steel, or 18K gold. The fitting of screw-down chronograph pushers and the screw-down Triplock crown--familiar from the brand's Sea-Dweller and Submariner models--ensure water resistance to a depth of 100 meters. A polished tachymeter bezel, which is calibrated for the calculation of average speeds, nods to the sporting heritage of the Rolex Daytona watch and provides a degree of protection to the edges of the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

Protected beneath the screw-down caseback, whose serrations provide a positive grip for a special Rolex opening tool, lies one of the finest chronograph calibers in current production. Introduced by Rolex at Baselworld 2000, the self-winding Caliber 4130 replaced the Zenith "El Primero"-based chronograph movement (Caliber 4030) which appeared in previous iterations of the Daytona. Praised by watchmakers for its effective combination of classical and modern design elements, the Rolex 4130 Caliber relies upon a classical column-wheel to control its chronograph functions, and features a thoughtfully designed vertical clutch system that maximizes operational precision and long term durability, while eliminating the central chronograph hand "jump" that tends to accompany horizontal clutch chronograph systems. Power reserve is 72 hours. Another feature that will stand out to the technically minded is the in-house Rolex "Parachrom Bleu" hairspring, manufactured from a unique fusion of Niobium and Zirconium. Shaped with a Breguet overcoil to improve isochronism, the Parachrom hairspring is impervious to the effects of magnetism and is ten times more resistant to shocks than conventional hairsprings manufactured from Nivarox. Adding even further to the impression of unshakable durability and long term timekeeping performance, Rolex has endowed the 4130 movement with a balance bridge, which offers the balance wheel greater stability under shock than a balance cock.

While the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is perhaps best known in its coveted stainless steel variations with white or black dials, the watch is also presented in a range of variations in "Rolesor" 18K gold and stainless steel, as well as versions in 18K yellow, white, and now for 2008--rose gold. All of these Rolex watches are fitted with the classic Oyster bracelet, which features a polished center link and an adjustable deployant clasp with a concealed micro-adjustment system, dubbed "Easylink" by Rolex. The 18K Daytona watches are also available on straps of crocodile or ostrich leather, and can be obtained in special haute joaillerie interpretations that showcase extensive setting of diamonds, sapphires and other precious gemstones.