Simply Abu Dhabi XXVII

9 4 S I M P LY A B U DH A B I Daytona: the word alone has its own resonance. Within watch circles, this single three-syllable word carries immeasurable weight. It sparks a multitude of connotations and emotions… ultimately, it is iconic. The Rolex Daytona has had whole books dedicated to its longstanding allure – it is, and one imagines always will be, one of Rolex’s most admired and best-selling families. This tear sees the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona arrive in a 40mm case that gleams beguilingly in 18 carat yellow gold. The chronograph is accurate to within 1/8 of a second and there is a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock and a 12-hour counter at 9 o'clock, with stop seconds for precise time setting. This sleek evolution marries precision and aesthetics, enriching the heritage of this classic chronograph watch. The construction features the legendary oyster architecture with a monobloc middle case, screw-down caseback and winding crown. The black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with an engraved tachymetric scale contrasts perfectly with the yellow gold to conjure a striking and sophisticated impact on the wrist. The bezel is patented by Rolex and is virtually scratchproof. It will also remain forever solid black as the colour is unaffected by UV rays. There are three new versions – yellow, white or Everose gold – all mounted on a new Oysterflex bracelet, which Rolex have developed and patented. The innovation consists of a super-elastic metal blade that is over-moulded with high- performance black elastomer, so that it delivers the flexibility and comfort of a rubberised strap but with the robustness and reliability of a metal bracelet. The Rolex Daytona is one of the most desirable watches in the world of haute horlogerie, and some specific versions have become such hot property that they can command tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands and even millions of dollars. Paul Newman’s own Rolex Cosmograph Daytona will go under the Hammer inNew York on 26 October 2017. It’s likely to set a new Rolex world record because a Paul Newman Daytona that wasn’t owned by the actor sold last year in Geneva for $2.5 million. Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona