NEWS! Rolex Releases 2023 New Generation Daytona Collection 1265XX

NEWS! Rolex Releases New Generation Daytona 1265XX

Rolex, the Swiss luxury watchmaker, has unveiled its latest releases at Watches and Wonders in Geneva, and everyone is buzzing with excitement.

One of the biggest news from Rolex at Watches and Wonders for 2023 is the upgraded Rolex Daytona collection, which has undergone a complete revamp. Rolex has replaced the previous reference 1165XX with the new generation reference 1265XX, denoting an upgraded model with a new generation caliber. This means that every single 1165XX Daytona reference has been discontinued and replaced by a new 1265XX reference.

In honor of the 60th anniversary of the watch, Rolex has taken steps to ensure that the legend of the timepiece lives on. The brand has revisited the entire range, with a focus on the reworking of the case, dial, and movement. This comprehensive overhaul includes numerous adjustments and evolutions, which serve as a reminder that the pursuit of excellence is a never-ending journey.

Rolex’s commitment to quality and innovation is evident in the meticulous attention to detail that has gone into the anniversary edition of the watch. Every aspect of the timepiece has been re-examined and improved upon, from its external appearance to its inner workings.

This article will delve into the details of the new Daytona collection, exploring the features and enhancements that Rolex has incorporated to make this iconic timepiece even better. With its unrivaled reputation for precision and elegance, Rolex has once again raised the bar with its latest creations, and the new Daytona collection is no exception. Let’s take a closer look at what this new generation of Rolex watches has to offer.

New Rolex Daytona Collection 2023 1265XX

The upgrade of the Daytona series is huge news. The last update to the movement of the Daytona was in the year 2000 when Rolex released the 116520. With the launch of this model, Rolex presented its first in-house caliber, the caliber 4130. This means that the caliber 4130 had a total production run of a whopping 23 years. That is a lot even by Rolex standards. And with that in mind, the Daytona was certainly due for an upgrade.

Rolex didn’t save any energy and therefore upgraded every single Daytona watch in its collection. The most important upgrade certainly relates to the movement but visually, the Daytona has been upgraded and improved as well.

Rolex’s upgrade from reference 1165XX to 1265XX covers three areas: dial, case, and movement. Let’s have a closer look at the upgrades that Rolex did to the new generation Daytona.

Upgraded caliber 4131

The Cosmograph Daytona is a legendary timepiece that has a fascinating history in Swiss watchmaking. Initially, the Daytona was equipped with Valjoux movements, but in 1988, Rolex switched to calibre 4030, which was based on the Zenith El Primero calibre. This was the world’s first high-frequency self-winding chronograph movement. To ensure its reliability over time, Rolex engineers optimized the calibre by reducing its frequency to 4 Hz. In 2000, Rolex introduced the 4130 calibre, which has since been updated to become the 4131 in 2023.

Naturally, the new caliber 4131 used in the new generation Daytona is an upgraded and improved version of its predecessor.

The 4131 calibre is a remarkable feat of engineering, consisting of only 314 parts, and has earned a reputation as one of the most robust and efficient movements in the world. The calibre’s architecture is streamlined, providing space for the barrel and enabling a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The vertical clutch mechanism allows the chronograph to operate continuously without sacrificing accuracy. Additionally, the Chronergy escapement and Parachrom hairspring contribute to the calibre’s outstanding performance.

In 2023, Rolex further enhanced the Cosmograph Daytona by optimizing its movement with the latest patented innovations. The entire development and production of the movement was carried out in-house by Rolex’s team of expert engineers and watchmakers. They focused on revisiting the mechanism to enhance its performance in terms of precision, robustness, and reliability. The result is a certified Superlative Chronometer, which solidifies the Cosmograph Daytona’s status as the standard-bearer for self-winding chronographs.

The new caliber 4131 boasts significant improvements, including two patented mechanisms: the Paraflex shock absorbers, which protect the oscillator from impact, and the Chronergy escapement, which resists high magnetic fields and significantly reduces energy loss.

The movement’s self-winding mechanism has been optimized for greater durability, thanks to the ball bearing in the Perpetual rotor. In addition, the movement has a new look, with its bridges featuring an exclusive Côtes de Genève Rolex decoration. These innovative and patented technical solutions set a new standard for excellence in terms of robustness, reliability, efficiency, and precision.

The engineers and watchmakers worked tirelessly to ensure that every component of the movement is optimized for superior performance. The result is a timepiece that is both beautiful and highly functional, capable of withstanding the most challenging conditions.

Revised Case and bezel

The case of the Daytona has not been dramatically changed. The Daytona still remains 40mm in diameter but it has been slightly reworked and refined to achieve a slightly slimmer and more elegant profile. The redesign of the case is not huge however

The biggest change in regards to the case and bracelet, however, is the fact that all Daytona watches that had ceramic bezels have now been redesigned to work as bezel inserts. On the 1165XX Daytonas, the ceramic bezels were completely exposed and sat on top of the case of the watches. The downside to this was of course that they were not protected. If you accidentally hit the edge of the ceramic bezel against something hard, there was a risk that the ceramic insert was going to crack. So for the 2023 upgraded Daytona model, Rolex has changed the design of the ceramic-bezel Daytonas by adding a metal frame for the bezel so that the ceramic part works as an insert similar to how other models in the Rolex lineup have. This makes the ceramic bezel works as an insert, keeps it protected, and minimizes the risk that it is going to crack if the watch is hit by a hard object.

The high-tech ceramic Cerachrom bezel on the Daytonas that are equipped with ceramic bezels now feature a graduation that is directly molded into the material, which is a remarkable technological achievement. The graduation is made easily readable by using a PVD (Physical Vapour Deposition) process to deposit a thin layer of platinum.

The latest iteration of the Cosmograph Daytona takes the aesthetics of the watch to the next level with its redesigned edging. The bezel features edging crafted from the same metal as the case, giving the watch a sleek and cohesive appearance. This subtle yet impactful design change is a testament to Rolex’s attention to detail and its dedication to creating timepieces that are both functional and aesthetically pleasing.

Whilst the upgrade of the case design may not seem like a lot, looking closer will certainly reveal that small tweaks can make for huge differences. Look at the pictures below and compare the 116500LN with the new 126500LN. The lugs on the new 126500LN are less curved and the crown guards have also been slightly reworked:

Revised dial

Last but not least, Rolex has also revised the dial design of all Daytona references.

The dial of the Cosmograph Daytona has been updated to feature a new graphic balance, with resized and restyled hour markers and counter rings. To enhance the visual harmony of the watch, subtle combinations of colors and finishes have been used to accentuate the contrast between the dial and the counters and/or their rings.

These design changes give the watch a more modern and updated appearance, while still maintaining the timeless elegance that Rolex is known for. The brand’s attention to detail is evident in every aspect of the watch’s design, from the meticulously crafted hour markers to the subtle use of color and finish. These updates to the face of the Cosmograph Daytona demonstrate Rolex’s commitment to creating timepieces that are both beautiful and highly functional. The result is a watch that is not only a classic of Swiss watchmaking but also a stunning work of art.