You couldn’t have scripted this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans finale any better. Celebrating its 100th anniversary, the event was Toyota’s to lose. The Japanese racing team had won five in a row and was going for its sixth straight — something only ever accomplished by Ferrari and Porsche decades ago. On the other hand, it was Ferrari’s first Le Mans appearance since 1973. In the 1960s, the Italian marque dominated the event but proceeded to be edged out by the likes of Ford and Porsche. It last won in 1965 and was hopeful upon its return. However, few imagined that it would dethrone Toyota to take the outright victory. To congratulate the winner, Rolex surprised everyone with a special white gold Cosmograph Daytona watch.
Sporting a reverse panda dial, the new chronograph commemorates the race’s centennial by coloring the number “100” in red on the bezel’s tachymetric scale. Aside from that, the new reference 126529LN takes after the new Daytona that was released earlier this year at Watches & Wonders with its 40mm diameter and oyster bracelet. However, the movement is a slight variation on the new caliber 4131, which itself has a maximum chronograph measure of only 12 hours. To go with the 24 Hours of Le Mans, this new iteration — dubbed the caliber 4132 — maxes out at 24 hours.
Housed in the 18k white gold case, the timepiece sports a decidedly vintage style, harkening back to the 1965 Daytona model — coincidentally released the final year Ferrari won Le Mans. This version swaps the Plexiglass bezel for a monobloc Cerachrom, which is a high-tech ceramic material that’s corrosion-, scratch-, and UV-resistant.
Priced at $51,400, the white gold Cosmograph Daytona in honor of the 24 Hours of Le Mans is available through Rolex retailers. Head over to the company’s website to learn more.
