The simple three-syllable vocabulary ‘Daytona Daytona’ has rich meaning. He represents a city, a watch series, a spirit of pursuit of speed, A legend of breakthrough; at the same time, he upholds transcendence and innovation, and continues the story of fusion of speed and determination, humanity and machinery in the years.
Standing in the ‘Rolex World’ ‘Cosmograph Daytona Loves Speed’ exhibition on the Bund, there is an ancient timekeeping device that suddenly pulled me into a certain situation. Through the precious image materials and the display of classic watches, I have step by step described in my mind these 50 years, belonging to the legendary racing world of ‘Daytona Daytona’.
Daytona is a city located on the coast of Florida. Since 1903, it has become an excellent place for humans to break through speed barriers. The hard sandy beach here is very suitable for the racing car at full speed at that time, so from 1903 to 1935, more than 80 official records were generated in Daytona, and from WK Vanderbilt in 1904 Starting with Daytona’s first world record at 92 miles per hour (148 kilometers), a total of 14 fastest world records were produced here.
‘Dittona Beach, Florida, is the only place I know to set the world’s fastest land speed record. The sand here is as hard as cement and has enough distance to accelerate.’ May 1932, Malcolm · Sir Campbell (Sir Malcolm Campbell) said so after a game. During that time, Sir Malcolm Campbell drove his ‘Bluebird’ tank several times, wearing his own Rolex Oyster watch, breaking the world record he had set year after year Each of his pioneering actions has attracted thousands of viewers and media around the world to flock to the beaches of Daytona. Before him, Barney Oldfield, Ralph DePalma, Henry Segrave, etc. have also created on the beach of Daytona. Speed record. In 1935, Sir Malcolm Campbell broke the record of 300 miles per hour (482 km) for the first time in a Bluebird in the Bonneville Salt Flats, and became a veritable ‘king of speed’. And won the title of King George V. At the time of the record, Rolex Oyster watch was also on his wrist, so he became Rolex’s first brand spokesperson in motorsport.
In 1948, the NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Racing) was established in Daytona. At the same time, Daytona also started to hold original racing cars and ‘Speed Week’ car races, which attracted American and European car brands. Racers and racers have joined the battle. The famous Daytona Beach- Road Course is located between the road and the low tide beach. ‘The focus of the car race. In the mid-1950s, urban development and the deterioration of the sand gradually threatened the competition on the beach. In view of this, NASCAR began to build a permanent hard-surface circuit, the Daytona International Circuit, which opened in 1959 and inherited Daytona’s unique racing tradition. Designed for speed, the curve has a corner roll of 31 degrees and a track with a maximum point of 10 meters, allowing the car to make high-speed corners without slipping off the track, and allows the audience to see the actual situation at a glance.
In 1962, the Daytona Continental was officially held and became a very important event in motorsport. In addition to the trophy, the winner of the event can also win a Rolex watch. In 1963, Rolex Cosmograph, a new generation of chronograph watches launched for racers, naturally became the winner of the Daytona race, and further strengthened the close integration of Rolex and motorsport. Later, in order to emphasize and commemorate the relationship between Rolex and this famous track, Rolex specifically named this watch-Cosmograph Daytona.
Next, many great racers have witnessed the legend of Daytona in person-including Dan Gurney, the first Daytona Endurance champion in 1962, and Vic Alford, the all-round champion in 1968. (Vic Elford), champion driver Hurley Haywood, who won the most Daytona events, and endurance record holder Tom Kristensen, these are extremely fast Pioneer and successor drivers, while striving to set a legendary record, also wrote a long and close relationship between Rolex and motorsport.
During that time, Paul Newman, a great Hollywood star, philanthropist and racer, brought another legend to Daytona. After being trained in motor racing for his lead role in the movie ‘Win’ in 1969, he discovered his talent for motorsport and devoted himself to motorsport. In 1972, at the age of 47, he participated for the first time in Thompson, Connecticut. In 1976 he won the National Championships in the Sports Car Club of America. In 1977, he was 24 hours in Daytona, Florida. It finished fifth in the endurance race and was runner-up at the Le Mans 24 Hours in 1979. At the age of 70, Paul and his team won the GTS-1 category of the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours in 1995.
In 1972, when Paul started his racing career, his wife gave him a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, and engraved ‘Drive slowly’ on the back of the case, making him a talisman. The watches he cherished and wore were later called ‘Paul Newman’ dials by his fans and collectors. Paul always brought Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watches on the track, not only the first choice of many racers, but also a symbol of love for motorsport. In 1995, when Paul won the Rolex Daytona 24 Hours, Paul and Rolex became inextricably bound, in accordance with the tradition of the mid-1960s, to obtain a symbolic Rolex watch , And like the other winners, use his name to name this watch. However, Paul never wore this watch, but instead donated it to charity, just like he later donated an Oscar trophy.
In 2012, Rolex Dayton celebrated the 50th anniversary of this legendary race with the 24-hour endurance race. Then in 2013, Rolex became the world’s highest palace of Formula One-the official designation of timepieces and global partners for Formula One. Continuation of the last century. From Daytona, people’s pursuit of speed and extremes, and the deep relationship between Rolex and motorsport and drivers. In addition, 2013 is also the fiftieth anniversary of the Daytona watch. Rolex launched the new Oyster Perpetual Cosmometer type Dayton with an ice-blue surface, rare metal-950 platinum, and the independently developed 4130 automatic winding movement. Take the watch, inherit the spirit of racing and continue the classic legend of innovation and breakthrough.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch, born in 1963, has gone through more than 50 years of legend. To celebrate the fiftieth anniversary of the birth of the classic model, the ‘Rolex World’ on the Bund presents a special universe The ‘Daytona Loves Speed’ exhibition will be on display until May 7, 2014. May wish to follow us here and experience the legendary racing world of Daytona Daytona.
Exhibition Address: ‘Rolex World · Jie’, 1st Floor, No. 27 Zhongshan East First Road, Huangpu District, Shanghai
Exhibition Date: April 12th to May 7th, 2014
Opening hours: 10:00 – 20:00 Monday to Sunday
Appointment and inquiry telephone: 021-333300091
Website: www.therolexexperience.com