As we all know, there are watches that are classified in the “Diver” category, but there are also those for which a separate “Driver” category was created, and the undisputed flagship of this category is precisely the Daytona. In principle, the original name of the model was Cosmograph, and it received its nickname “Daytona” in the late 60s after many years of sponsorship in motorsports and in honor of the Daytona International Speedway.

It is a known fact that Rolex is the largest manufacturer of luxury watches with a production run of over a million each year, but despite this fact, it is a brand that not only best retains its value over time, but also has some models that are almost impossible to simply buy in a distributor's store. The hardest to find, and those for which there are long waiting lists, is precisely the Daytona.

It is indisputable that the Daytona long ago became a fashion accessory (and even a status symbol), but the watch incorporates very specific functions that aim to pursue its original purpose – that of a true “driver”. Measuring and calculating time, average and instantaneous speed through the use of the chronograph and the tachymeter scale – all these functionalities aim to assist every owner of the watch in their sporting activities, and the 40-millimeter Oyster case (when this name is present in the designation of a Rolex, it means you can confidently get it “wet”) and the Triplock crown provide sufficient water resistance of 100 m for marine adventures.

The specific watch is from the model's generation launched in 2011, and this particular one, besides having a solid white gold case, is a highly sought-after version with a blue dial – Rolex gives it the index BLUSO and calls it the Blue Index Dial. This version of the dial was launched in 2016 along with the John Mayer version (yellow gold with a green dial), and both models automatically became highly sought-after and pursued by fans of the brand. As I already mentioned, a special Rolex alloy of 18-carat white gold with platinum additives is used here, and another feature is that this example has a solid bracelet of the same material – again, in combination with the white gold case, a phenomenal result is achieved.

The Daytona is neither the most expensive, the most robust, the most complicated, nor the most beautiful “Driver” – why then is it so desired, valued, and successful? Surely one of the reasons is its now-famous in-house Caliber 4130 movement, which has a reputation for being robust, accurate, durable, and easy to service. The movement's faithful "service" to the fame and honor of Rolex began in 2000 (just to remind you, with this movement Rolex replaced the Zenith El Primero used for decades in this model!) and in these 22 years, it has earned the reputation of being one of the most reliable and robust chronographs ever. An automatic chronograph with a column wheel, hacking function, operating at 28,800 vibrations, with 44 jewels, 201 parts, and a power reserve of over 72 hours, and of course, we cannot go without some of Rolex's patents – in this case, the Paraflex anti-shock system and the Parachrom hairspring.

The watch's dial is very balanced and easily legible despite its many functions, and the luminescence of the hands and indices facilitates its use at night – it is a pleasant-to-the-eye bluish color and glows sufficiently brightly and for a long time.

Regardless of the fact that the Daytona is a professional instrument, as was the manufacturer's intention from its very launch, it is clear to everyone that for a long time now it has become a luxury attribute – and for quite some time this function has prevailed over the original reason for its creation. Perhaps for this very reason, Rolex does many things in this model so that the appearance and the overall impression the watch creates prevail over its functionality. The first thing that makes an impression is the sapphire – Rolex is notorious for the fact that they do not put anti-reflective coating on the crystals of their watches – there are several versions for the reasons, but I most like the one that Rolex does it so that the appearance of their watches does not change for a long time and generations of its owners can enjoy this consistency. The second, of course, is the fact that the manufacturer managed to create an icon more than 50 years ago, and through all these years and different models, the design has hardly changed – another proof of the timelessness of classic designs. The third, of course, is the use of precious metals in its production – the case, bezel, crown, pushers, and hands are made of 18-carat gold, as is the dial, by the way – the effect is stunning!

For the case back of the watch, Rolex uses a simple solid back (as, by the way, in all its models) – in the case of the Daytona, it is devoid of any markings, inscriptions, or other "decorations".

Indeed, in the 60s, Rolex created a great product and invested the next 50+ years to improve and perfect it. If at the beginning it was valued by customers as a not-very-expensive specialized watch primarily for motorsports, today it is to a greater extent a fashion accessory, which, however, has all the qualities to become a long-term partner to its owner, who, besides not abandoning you, will also not lose much of its value, because it is no secret to anyone here that this brand, besides not being found with large discounts when new, also has the reputation of a brand with the best value-retaining watches, and this particular model can boldly rank among the forefront of Rolex in terms of popularity and demand. Surely one of the reasons for this is the fact that this watch looks equally good on your wrist whether you are in a formal suit or dressed in worn-out jeans and a white t-shirt – in both cases, the Daytona will help attract approving glances to your appearance.