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Reference:daytona-glossary: Difference between revisions

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|title=Rolex Daytona Glossary — Dial Variants, Movement, Bracelet Terms — Rolexopedia
|title=Rolex Daytona Glossary — Dial Variants, Movement, Bracelet Terms — Rolexopedia
|description=Complete glossary for the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona: Paul Newman Mk1-4, RCO, JPS, Lemon, Big Red, Albino, Patrizzi, Neanderthal, Unicorn, Le Roi Soleil, GT Champion, and every named dial variant across the 1962-2016 manual-wind, Zenith, and in-house cal 4130 generations. Also movement, bracelet, clasp, case, and crystal terms.
|description=Working glossary for Rolex Cosmograph Daytona dial, movement, bracelet, clasp, case, bezel, and crystal terms across the manual-wind, Zenith, and caliber 4130 generations.
|keywords=Rolex Daytona glossary, Paul Newman dial, RCO, Oyster Sotto, JPS, Lemon dial, Big Red, Patrizzi, Sigma, Albino, Neanderthal, Unicorn, Le Roi Soleil, cal 4030, cal 4130, cal 727, Valjoux 72, SEL, Oysterlock, Triplock
|keywords=Rolex Daytona glossary, Paul Newman dial, RCO, Oyster Sotto, JPS, Lemon dial, Big Red, Patrizzi, Sigma, Albino, Neanderthal, Unicorn, Le Roi Soleil, cal 4030, cal 4130, cal 727, Valjoux 72, SEL, Oysterlock, Triplock
|image=Daytona vintage poster.webp
|image=Daytona vintage poster.webp
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'''JPS (John Player Special).''' Paul Newman dial on a yellow gold case with black ground and gold-toned sub-dial surrounds and hour markers, named for the John Player Special-sponsored Lotus F1 team livery of the 1970s. The 14k yellow gold [[Reference:6241|6241]] is the most populous JPS host (fewer than 400 produced, North American market).
'''JPS (John Player Special).''' Paul Newman dial on a yellow gold case with black ground and gold-toned sub-dial surrounds and hour markers, named for the John Player Special-sponsored Lotus F1 team livery of the 1970s. The 14k yellow gold [[Reference:6241|6241]] is the most populous JPS host (fewer than 400 produced, North American market).


'''Lemon dial.''' Yellow lacquer full-dial finish fitted to rare gold-case 6263 and 6265 examples. Bob Ridley's 2017 bench examination of a gold 6241 for ''Revolution'' reports that gold-case Paul Newman Daytonas are always the Lemon variant, the rare RCO examples aside.
'''Lemon dial.''' Yellow lacquer full-dial finish documented on some gold-case Paul Newman Daytonas. The available source set does not support treating every gold-case exotic dial as a Lemon dial.


=== 6263 / 6265 specialty dials ===
=== 6263 / 6265 specialty dials ===
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'''Big Red Daytona.''' Standard 6263 dial with "DAYTONA" printed in red block letters above the 6 o'clock sub-register. Introduced ~1976, default 6263 dial by the early 1980s. Paul Newman's own 6263 — a Big Red — sold Phillips NY December 2020 for USD 5.48M. See [[Reference:6263|6263]].
'''Big Red Daytona.''' Standard 6263 dial with "DAYTONA" printed in red block letters above the 6 o'clock sub-register. Introduced ~1976, default 6263 dial by the early 1980s. Paul Newman's own 6263 — a Big Red — sold Phillips NY December 2020 for USD 5.48M. See [[Reference:6263|6263]].


'''Floating Big Red.''' Transitional variant where the DAYTONA text sits visibly further from the sub-dial than on standard Big Red. Rare, and it carries a meaningful premium.
'''Floating Big Red.''' Transitional layout where the DAYTONA text sits farther from the sub-dial than on a standard Big Red. The name is collector shorthand; a price premium is not assumed here.


'''Small Red.''' Late-1980s variant where the red DAYTONA is rendered in a noticeably smaller font than the Big Red. See [[Reference:6263|6263]] and [[Reference:6265|6265]].
'''Small Red.''' Late-1980s variant where the red DAYTONA is rendered in a noticeably smaller font than the Big Red. See [[Reference:6263|6263]] and [[Reference:6265|6265]].
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'''Sigma dial.''' Dial with σσ symbols flanking SWISS at the 6 o'clock chapter, denoting gold-applied hour markers. Swiss-industry convention for identifying precious-metal components. Appears ~1972–1978 across both [[Reference:6263|6263]] and [[Reference:6265|6265]].
'''Sigma dial.''' Dial with σσ symbols flanking SWISS at the 6 o'clock chapter, denoting gold-applied hour markers. Swiss-industry convention for identifying precious-metal components. Appears ~1972–1978 across both [[Reference:6263|6263]] and [[Reference:6265|6265]].


'''Albino 6263.''' White-on-white monochromatic dial: silver sub-dials on a white base, bearing only "Rolex Oyster Cosmograph" without the standard "Daytona" wording. Three known examples. Authenticity is contested. Benjamin Clymer's 2013 Hodinkee piece treats it as a factory Rolex variant; Jose Pereztroika at Perezcope (2025) reads it as a 1990s Tom Bolt construction. See [[Reference:6263|6263]].
'''Albino 6263.''' White-on-white monochromatic dial with silver sub-dials and no standard DAYTONA wording. The attribution is disputed: older auction and editorial material treats it as a factory variant, while later research argues for a later construction. The page records the dispute rather than a count of authentic examples. See [[Reference:6263|6263]].


'''Tropical.''' Production-period black dial that oxidised to brown under UV exposure or heat. These are aged production dials valued for their patina, not a factory variant in their own right. Distinct from Patrizzi, which affects only the sub-dial outer rings.
'''Tropical.''' Production-period black dial that oxidised to brown under UV exposure or heat. These are aged production dials valued for their patina, not a factory variant in their own right. Distinct from Patrizzi, which affects only the sub-dial outer rings.
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=== 6238 / 6240 specialty dials ===
=== 6238 / 6240 specialty dials ===


'''Neanderthal 6240.''' Disputed dial configuration presented at Phillips Daytona Ultimatum 2018 as the earliest Paul Newman prototype. Pereztroika's 2022 dossier reads the dial as a late-1990s construction off a 6238 donor, citing the April 1998 ''Orologi & Market''. Both positions are on record. See [[Reference:6240|6240]].
'''Neanderthal 6240.''' Disputed dial configuration presented in 2018 auction material as an early Paul Newman prototype. Later research argues for a later construction using a 6238 donor. Both positions are recorded on [[Reference:6240|6240]].


=== 6265 specialty dials ===
=== 6265 specialty dials ===


'''Unicorn 6265.''' The only known white gold 6265 (case 2877587, manufactured 1970). Sold CHF 5,937,500 at Phillips Daytona Ultimatum 2018, second-highest Rolex auction result at the time. Pereztroika's 2022 Frankenstein analysis disputes authenticity from 2010 Instagram photographs and millerighe pusher detail. Both readings remain on record. See [[Reference:6265|6265]].
'''Unicorn 6265.''' A 6265 catalogued as white gold, case 2877587, sold for CHF 5,937,500 at Phillips Daytona Ultimatum in 2018. Later research disputes the case and pusher evidence, so the “only known” description remains an auction attribution rather than an established production fact. See [[Reference:6265|6265]].


=== Middle Eastern commissions ===
=== Middle Eastern commissions ===
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=== Zenith era (cal 4030) dial progression ===
=== Zenith era (cal 4030) dial progression ===


'''MK1 Floating Cosmograph Porcelain.''' First-year R-serial (1988) [[Reference:16520|16520]]-generation dial. Extra space between COSMOGRAPH and the next four lines; inverted 6 in the 9 o'clock hour totaliser; porcelain / glossy finish. The 16520 variant whose values have moved hardest since 2015.
'''MK1 Floating Cosmograph Porcelain.''' First-year R-serial (1988) [[Reference:16520|16520]] dial with extra space below COSMOGRAPH, an inverted 6 in the 9 o'clock totaliser, and a glossy finish. “Porcelain” is collector terminology for the surface appearance.


'''MK2 Floating 4-Liner.''' L-serial (1989–1990) dial. OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED line missing — dial reads four lines of text instead of five. Photographed alongside the early 50–200 "UNITS PER HOUR" bezel in Luca Garbati's images of the Cattin Collection.
'''MK2 Floating 4-Liner.''' L-serial (1989–1990) dial. OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED line missing — dial reads four lines of text instead of five. Photographed alongside the early 50–200 "UNITS PER HOUR" bezel in Luca Garbati's images of the Cattin Collection.
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'''MK7.''' U/A/P-serial (1998–2000). Super-LumiNova replaces tritium; SWISS MADE replaces T SWISS T.
'''MK7.''' U/A/P-serial (1998–2000). Super-LumiNova replaces tritium; SWISS MADE replaces T SWISS T.


'''Patrizzi dial.''' Zenith-era dial where the varnish over the silver sub-dial rings turns brown. Named for Osvaldo Patrizzi. Window sits in the mid-1990s by most accounts. Genuine Patrizzi ageing usually runs uneven across the three sub-dials; a perfectly even effect should be treated with suspicion.
'''Patrizzi dial.''' Zenith-era dial where varnish over the silver sub-dial rings has turned brown. The name refers to Osvaldo Patrizzi. The effect and date window vary; even colour alone cannot authenticate a dial.


'''Darth Vader.''' 16520 variant where the silver sub-dial chapter rings have faded to a near-black tone, the inverse of the Patrizzi browning. Documented by Karyn Orrico in Sotheby's Zenith Daytona guide (2025).
'''Darth Vader.''' 16520 variant where the silver sub-dial chapter rings have faded to a near-black tone, the inverse of the Patrizzi browning. Documented by Karyn Orrico in Sotheby's Zenith Daytona guide (2025).
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'''APH error dial.''' 116520 variant with a visible kerning gap between "Cosmogr" and "aph" in the dial text, first seen on white dials in 2009 and black in 2010. Documented by Phillips's Logan Baker. Carries a small market premium despite being a misprint. See [[Reference:116520|116520]].
'''APH error dial.''' 116520 variant with a visible kerning gap between "Cosmogr" and "aph" in the dial text, first seen on white dials in 2009 and black in 2010. Documented by Phillips's Logan Baker. Carries a small market premium despite being a misprint. See [[Reference:116520|116520]].


'''2011 GT Champion 116523.''' Grey-rhodium soleil dial on a G-serial (circa 2010) 116523 presented to The Racer's Group for the #67 Porsche's GT-class win at the 2011 Rolex 24 At Daytona. Crown Royal Cask No. 16. Caseback engraved with the 2011 GT Champion mark. See [[Reference:116523|116523]].
'''GT Champion 116523.''' A documented grey-rhodium 116523 associated with The Racer’s Group and the 2011 Rolex 24 at Daytona. The presentation and caseback details belong to that individual watch. See [[Reference:116523|116523]].


'''Mexican red dial.''' Late-production 116528 sub-branch — black lacquer dial with red DAYTONA script more prominent than the standard configuration. See [[Reference:116528|116528]].
'''Mexican red dial.''' Late-production 116528 sub-branch — black lacquer dial with red DAYTONA script more prominent than the standard configuration. See [[Reference:116528|116528]].
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'''Cal 727.''' Final manual-wind Daytona caliber. The 1969–1970 transition lifted the beat from 18,000 to 21,600 vph. Used in [[Reference:6262|6262]], [[Reference:6263|6263]], [[Reference:6264|6264]], [[Reference:6265|6265]] through 1988. See [[Reference:Movements#cal-727|cal 727]].
'''Cal 727.''' Final manual-wind Daytona caliber. The 1969–1970 transition lifted the beat from 18,000 to 21,600 vph. Used in [[Reference:6262|6262]], [[Reference:6263|6263]], [[Reference:6264|6264]], [[Reference:6265|6265]] through 1988. See [[Reference:Movements#cal-727|cal 727]].


'''Cal 4030 (Zenith Daytona).''' Zenith El Primero base, heavily reworked by Rolex and used from 1988 to 2000. 28,800 vph, 31 jewels, no date, free-sprung balance, COSC. Published power reserve is usually given as 52 or 54 hours. See [[Reference:Movements#cal-4030|cal 4030]].
'''Cal 4030 (Zenith Daytona).''' Rolex’s modified version of the Zenith El Primero, used in the 16520 from 1988 to 2000. It runs at 28,800 vph and omits the date; published power-reserve figures vary by source. See [[Reference:Movements#cal-4030|cal 4030]].


'''Cal 4130 (in-house chronograph).''' Rolex's first wholly in-house chronograph movement. Vertical-clutch coupling, column-wheel switching, 72-hour power reserve, 44 jewels, 28,800 vph, COSC. Used 2000–2016 in the 116520 / 116523 / 116528 (and continues in post-2019 ceramic-bezel successors). See [[Reference:Movements#cal-4130|cal 4130]].
'''Cal 4130 (in-house chronograph).''' Rolex’s in-house automatic chronograph with vertical clutch, column wheel, 72-hour power reserve, and 28,800 vph. Used in the 116520, 116523, and 116528 and later Daytona generations with related 4130-family movements. See [[Reference:Movements#cal-4130|cal 4130]].


'''Zenith El Primero base.''' The 1969 Zenith El Primero 400 was the base movement Rolex used for the cal 4030. Rolex slowed it from 36,000 to 28,800 vph, replaced the escapement with a free-sprung Breguet balance, removed the date, and stamped it cal 4030. The Zenith branding never appeared on a Rolex-signed dial.
'''Zenith El Primero base.''' The 1969 Zenith El Primero 400 was the base movement Rolex used for the cal 4030. Rolex slowed it from 36,000 to 28,800 vph, replaced the escapement with a free-sprung Breguet balance, removed the date, and stamped it cal 4030. The Zenith branding never appeared on a Rolex-signed dial.
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'''Oyster bracelet.''' Three-link flat construction used across every Daytona generation in various references: 7205 / 7836 / 78350 (manual-wind era), 78360 / 78390 (Zenith era), 78490 (in-house gen 1). See [[Reference:Bracelets|Bracelets]].
'''Oyster bracelet.''' Three-link flat construction used across every Daytona generation in various references: 7205 / 7836 / 78350 (manual-wind era), 78360 / 78390 (Zenith era), 78490 (in-house gen 1). See [[Reference:Bracelets|Bracelets]].


'''SEL (Solid End Link).''' Bracelet construction where the end-link is integral to the first link rather than a separate stamped piece. Introduced on the 16520 at the U-serial (1997–1998) transition and standard on every in-house-era Daytona thereafter.
'''SEL (Solid End Link).''' End link integrated with the first bracelet link rather than a separate stamped component. It appears on late 16520 examples and became standard on later in-house-era Daytona bracelets.


'''78360.''' Heavy-link Oyster bracelet, 1976–1993. Used on the early Zenith [[Reference:16520|16520]] (R-serial through early S-serial 1988–1993).
'''78360.''' Heavy-link Oyster bracelet, 1976–1993. Used on the early Zenith [[Reference:16520|16520]] (R-serial through early S-serial 1988–1993).
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== Auction landmarks ==
== Auction landmarks ==


'''Phillips Daytona Ultimatum, Geneva, 12 May 2018.''' 32-watch thematic sale curated by Pucci Papaleo with Aurel Bacs at the rostrum. Reset price ceilings across the manual-wind Daytona category. Highlights: the Unicorn 6265 (CHF 5,937,500), the Neanderthal 6240 (CHF 3,012,500), the Oyster Sotto 6263 (CHF 1,662,500).
'''Phillips Daytona Ultimatum, Geneva, 12 May 2018.''' Thematic sale curated by Pucci Papaleo. Recorded results included the catalogued Unicorn 6265 at CHF 5,937,500, the Neanderthal 6240 at CHF 3,012,500, and an Oyster Sotto 6263 at CHF 1,662,500. Several of these attributions remain disputed.


'''Phillips Winning Icons, New York, 26 October 2017.''' Paul Newman's own 6239 MK1 sold for USD 17,752,500 — the highest price paid for any Rolex at public auction. See [[Reference:paul-newman-daytona|Paul Newman Daytona]].
'''Phillips Winning Icons, New York, 26 October 2017.''' Paul Newman's own 6239 MK1 sold for USD 17,752,500 — the highest price paid for any Rolex at public auction. See [[Reference:paul-newman-daytona|Paul Newman Daytona]].
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'''Phillips New York, 12 December 2020.''' Paul Newman's own Big Red 6263, its caseback engraved "DRIVE SLOWLY JOANNE" by Joanne Woodward, who bought the watch for him in 1983. Newman gave it to his daughter Clea Newman Soderlund in 2008; the lot sold for USD 5,475,000. The engraving is the companion to the "DRIVE CAREFULLY ME" Woodward had put on his [[Reference:6239|6239]] fifteen years earlier.
'''Phillips New York, 12 December 2020.''' Paul Newman's own Big Red 6263, its caseback engraved "DRIVE SLOWLY JOANNE" by Joanne Woodward, who bought the watch for him in 1983. Newman gave it to his daughter Clea Newman Soderlund in 2008; the lot sold for USD 5,475,000. The engraving is the companion to the "DRIVE CAREFULLY ME" Woodward had put on his [[Reference:6239|6239]] fifteen years earlier.


'''Christie's Lesson One, Geneva, 10 November 2013.''' The first Paul Newman to breach seven figures at auction — an Oyster Sotto 6263 hammered at about USD 1.089M.
'''Christie’s Lesson One, Geneva, 10 November 2013.''' The sale included an Oyster Sotto 6263 that sold for about USD 1.089 million. The lot description and dial attribution should be read with the later research record.


== Related references ==
== Related references ==


* [[Reference:daytona|Daytona family index]]
* [[Reference:daytona|Daytona family index]]
* [[Reference:6239|Daytona 6239]] — first Cosmograph
* [[Reference:6239|Daytona 6239]]: first Cosmograph
* [[Reference:6263|Daytona 6263]] — manual-wind Oyster
* [[Reference:6263|Daytona 6263]]: manual-wind Oyster
* [[Reference:16520|Daytona 16520]] — first automatic (Zenith)
* [[Reference:16520|Daytona 16520]]: first automatic (Zenith)
* [[Reference:116500LN|Daytona 116500LN]] — the ceramic-bezel modern Daytona
* [[Reference:116500LN|Daytona 116500LN]]: the ceramic-bezel modern Daytona


== Sources ==
== Sources ==
Retrieved from "https://rolexopedia.net/wiki/Reference:daytona-glossary"