Racing Pioneer and Icon Rolex GMT Master on Jubilee Bracelet
Carroll Shelby was not only an American racing legend, but an international icon of automotive design. Carroll Shelby began his automotive career as a race car driver, and went on to design some of the most iconic specialty sports cars in automotive history. In the photo below, we see Carroll Shelby pictured in 1987 sporting his Rolex GMT Master on a Jubilee bracelet.
Carroll Shelby is pictured below in 1966 leaning against his Ford Mustang Shelby GT350, and we see his AC Shelby Cobra in the background.
Kings Of Coolness
Pictured below, we see two Kings Of Coolness, Carroll Shelby and Steve McQueen, and in this photo, Carroll Shelby is delivering a Shelby Cobra to Steve McQueen.
The Ford GT40 was a super-high performance American-British racing car, which was originally built and designed in England, and later in the United States. It was powered by a series of American-made Ford engines, and it dominated the 24 Hours of Le Mans by winning four consecutive times in a row, from 1966 to 1969. The Mark II, which is pictured below gained Ford the first overall Le Mans victory in history for an American manufacturer.
In the photo below, we see the stable of Ford GT Mark 4 on display at the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans, and in the front we see the Number 1 Ford GT which was driven by Dan Gurney, and A.J. Foyt.
This next video overview from 1967 Le Mans, give an overview of what happened while showing all the Ford GT's on the track.
1967 Le Mans Race Winner
In the photo below we see American race car driver win the 1967 24 hours of Le Mans as he rockets past the finish line to take first place for Ford.
Carroll Shelby is pictured below, posing at the 24 Hours of Le Mans, in Le Mans, France in 1967 with his Ford GT Mark IV, Number 1 Car which had just won the Le Mans race.
...More Rolex Racing Super Coolness...
Dan Gurney & A.J. Foyt
1967 24 Hours of Le Mans Winners
Stainless Steel Rolex Datejust
Dan Gurney is an American race car driver, race car designer, and team owner. With an amazing career dating back to 1958, he is considered to be one of the living God's of racing. Dan is pictured below taking a break during the 1967 Le Mans race, with Carroll Shelby, who is wearing the checkered hat, and notice Dan is wearing his Rolex Datejust, while racing.
Dan Gurney is also pictured below after winning the 1967 24 Hours of Le Mans. His teammate for the race, A. J. Foyt is standing next to him. This photo is very famous, because Dan Gurney did not drink alcohol, so when they won, he shook-up the champagne, and popped the cork and poured it all over the place–a tradition that he started, which continues to this day. How ironic is it that the not only did Carol Shelby who designed the Ford GT Mark II wear a Rolex, but so did the two race car drivers who won the 1967 Le Mans!?!
In the photo below, we see a close-up of Dan Gurney's Rolex Datejust on a Jubilee bracelet
In the next image below, taken in 1974, we see A.J. Foyt being celebrated in a Rolex Day-Date ad.
A. J. Foyt is pictured below with Richard Petty on the 4th of July in 1975.
The Ford GT40 that Dan Guryney and A.J. Foyt won the 24 Hours Of Le Mans in is pictured below. By the way, this is the first and only time an All-American team, driving an American car has ever won the 24 Hours Of Le Mans!!!
Pilots tend to be fascinated by fast moving machines and I'm no exception. I love as much NASCAR as I do Formula 1, and the Grand Prix of Monaco has always been my favorite. Maybe that's why I currently wear a Rolex Daytona in the cockpit.
...Rolex Racing Coolness...
Nico Rosberg
Formula 1 World Champion
"I have always admired Rolex’s prestigious history and involvement in sport. Rolex has long-been synonymous with excellence and has partnered with some of the greatest athletes in the history of sport. My life has revolved around timing and my racing has always come down to those final split seconds.”
—Nico Rosberg
Nico Rosberg sent shockwaves through the Formula 1 paddock when he announced his retirement almost simultaneously with his 2016 world championship win. Nico is pictured below with Sir Jackie Stewartand Mark Webber.
Proud to follow in the footsteps of many incredible sportsmen in becoming a global @ROLEX ambassador - one of the most special brands in the world 🙌🏼 pic.twitter.com/jlxfvMD9lR
Nico Rosberg is pictured below with his gorgeous wife who also wears Rolex watches.
Tesla Model 3 v. Porsche GT2 RS
Drag Race On Monaco Pier
Retired Formula 1 racing legend Nico Rosberg put the Porsche GT2 up against a Tesla Model 3 back in March of 2019, and the results may surprise you. Fasten your seatbelts and enjoy the ride.
...Men & Their Machines...
Japanese Rolex Daytona
Racing Leaflet
1972 Reference 6241
Rolex Daytona has always been inspired by and associated with high-performance automobiles as seen below in this Japanese Rolex Cosmograph Daytona leaflet from 1972. Ironically, we see Monaco in the background of this image. It's a small world after all...
What do racing legends A.J. Foyt and Richard Petty have in common, beside being two of the most winning race car drivers in history? Wearing Rolex, of course, and we see them hanging-out together on the 4th of July, back in 1975. A.J. Foyt is wearing his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date in the photo below, and Richard Petty has not yet began sporting his now trademark mustache...
UPDATE (December 4, 2017): I wrote a significant update to this story that revealed Paul Newman was actually wearing a Rolex Daytona on his Rolex President Bracelet:
This is an interesting story. First, we see a 1976 Mario Andretti Rolex ad that features the Rolex Day-Date, which I have never published before today.
Next we see a photo of Paul Newman shaking hands with his good pal, Mario Andretti.
Paul Newman Rolex Day-Date!?!?!?
I was shocked when I looked closely at this photo taken in 1988 at the Indianapolis 500, and noticed Paul Newman wearing a Platinum or White Gold Rolex Day-Date.
Why was I shocked? Because Paul Newman is renowned for wearing at least five different Rolex Daytona models, as well as having worn a stainless steel Rolex Datejust, which I documented in detail in "The Complete History Of The Paul Newman Daytona". This new photograph shows him rockin' a Rolex Day-Date, which is very cool...
Just to reiterate, I was shocked to discover the photo of Paul Newman wearing his Rolex Day-Date on his "President" bracelet because like so many of my readers, I am used to seeing iconic photo, like the one below, of him wearing his trademark Rolex Daytona. It is interesting to note that I have never seen a photo of him wearing a yellow gold Rolex. He only wore stainless steel, white gold and platinum.
2013 represents the 50th anniversary of the Rolex making the Rolex Daytona, but there are still many unanswered questions about the origins of the Rolex "Daytona" dial designation. This 1962 Rolex advertisement appeared in Car & Driver Magazine, and it offers clues. It is peculiar, since Rolex is showcasing the Datejust as the choice of a NASCAR champion, and not the Daytona!?!
Also, notice the ad states "Official Timepiece, Daytona International Speedway." Later in the year, I will shed more light on the significance of this. Joe Weatherly went on to win to also win the 1963 NASCAR Championship. Unfortunately "Little" Joe Weatherly was killed during in a racing accident during the 1964 Motor Trend 400 at Riverside Raceway.
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo is the Chairman of Ferrari and Fiat. He has had an amazing career filled with many achievements. For many decades, Luca has been a big Rolex sport watch fan.
In the photo below, we see a close-up wrist shot which reveals Luca wearing a vintage Rolex Submariner 5512 or 5513, on a leather strap.
In the photo below, we see Luca at the unveiling of the all-new Ferrari FF1.
As I mentioned earlier, Luca has been a Rolex Sport Model fan for many decades, and in this next photo, from the early 1970s we see Luca sporting his Rolex GMT-Master.
In this recent photo we see Luca still sporting his vintage Pepsi Rolex GMT-Master. Luca has been sporting a Rolex GMT for at-least 4 decades!!!
In this next photo we see Ferrari Chairman, Luca Cordero di Montezemolo introducing the all-new 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Supercar.
Here is an Autocar video review of the the all-new Ferrari 458 Italia.
The head of Ferrari wearing a Rolex is nothing new. Luca's predecessor, Ferrari founder, Enzo Ferrari wore a Rolex as well. Vintage Ferrari automobiles, just like vintage Rolex watches, have continued to appreciate significantly over time.
A.J. Foyt has had an amazing racing career. To this day, he is the only race car driver to win The Daytona 500, The Indianapolis 500, The 24 Hours of Daytona, The 12 Hours of Sebring, and the 24 Hours of Le Mans. All together, A.J. Foyt won 159 auto races, which gave him the well-deserved title of "The King Of Racing."
We see A.J. Foyt in the photo above taken from the June of 1964 cover of Sports Illustrated. This photo was take just before he raced in and won the Indianapolis 500. In the next image below, taken a decade later in 1974, we see A.J. Foyt being celebrated in a Rolex Day-Date ad.
A. J. Foyt is pictured below with Richard Petty on the 4th of July in 1975.
A.J. Foyt is pictured below in a recent photo, and we see him wearing his yellow gold Rolex GMT Master. He also still wears his yellow gold Rolex Day-Date he is wearing in the 1974 Rolex ad pictured above.
Since I was recently on the topic of cool convertibles, I thought it would make sense to post this great ad from David Boettcher. David Boettcher is a friend of mine and he very kindly sent in this superb Rolex ad from 1930 to share with you. I added this magnificent Sir Malcolm Campbell ad to The Sir Malcolm Campbell Story–The First Rolex At Daytona.
David Boettcher is a former nuclear scientist and he recently wrote an amazing article that is scheduled to appear in the December edition of The Watch And Clock Bulletin. David sent me an early version of his article that covers the origins of the early Rolex Oysters and it was mind-blowing!!!
Dick Vermeil is pictured below with his pal, and former racing superstar, Mario Andretti. Dick Vermeil played football in college and in 1959 he was a quarterback for San Jose State University. He went on to become a coach at Stanford University and in 1969 he joined the Los Angeles Rams as a special coach. In 1974 he became the head coach for the UCLA Bruins and he led them to win the 1975 Rose Bowl against Ohio State.
From 1976 to 1982, Dick Vermeil was the head NFL coach for the Philadelphia Eagles, and from 1997-1999 was the head coach for the Saint Louis Rams. From 2001 to 2005 he was the head coach for the NFL Kansas City Chiefs.
Mario Andretti is considered to be one of the best and most successful American race car drivers in the history of the sport. Mario Andretti raced in Formula One, IndyCar, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR and also won in drag car racing, sprint cars and midget car racing.
In an amazing career that spanned decades, Mario Andretti won four IndyCar titles as well as the 1978 Formula One World Championship. To this day, Mario Andretti remains the only driver in history to win the Daytona 500 (1967), Indianapolis 500 (1969) and the Formula One World Championship. Mario Andretti won 109 major circuit races in his career.
The Rolex 24 at Daytona is now in the record books, and this was the 48th anniversary of this historic race held annually at Daytona Beach, Florida, U.S.A.
In this fascinating article we are going to take a look at the race itself, as well as explore the rich tapestry of Rolex Daytona History. First we begin with the official artwork of the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona which was designed by the talented French artist, Erwin Dazelle.
Rolex Introduces The Rolex Daytona In 1965
David Concannon is a world-class explorer and diver. He has been an advisor on 6 expeditions to the Titanic and led the last expedition to the Titanic, and has participated in 3 DEEP-SEA dives to the Titanic. In 2010 we will be doing a story about his amazing career achievements including a podcast about his Titanic expeditions.
David is also a Rolex fanatic (severe RISitus) and daily reader of Jake's Rolex World Magazine and he sent in this amazing original Rolex Daytona ad from 1965 introducing the Rolex Daytona Chronograph as the official Watch of Daytona.
FYI: In the Future, I plan to write a series, titled, "The Complete History Of The Rolex Daytona Cosmograph" which will be fascinating and shed all kinds of new light and insight onto the magic behind one of the most coveted, iconic, inspiring and illusive watches in history.
Rolex Coolness: Vic Elford
1968 Rolex Daytona Winner
In the historic Rolex photo below from Porsche Motorsports, we see the 1968 Rolex Daytona winner, Vic Elford representing Great Britain, being presented with a stainless steel Rolex Daytona Cosmograph for his victory of the 24 At Dayona.
Vic Elford is pictured below posing with his 1968 Rolex Daytona prize for winning the 24 hours of Daytona.
Fast forward, 42 years from 1968 to the 2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona and we see Vic Elford below being presented a new stainless Rolex Daytona Cosmograph by Rolex U.S.A. President and C.E.O., Allen Brill.
Rolex has been involved with the Daytona Intentional Speedway since 1959 and to this day Rolex actively sponsors many of the most prestigious motorsport events, including the Rolex 24 At Daytona, The 24 Hours of Le Mans, the European Le Mans Series, and the Rolex Sports Car Series.
Rolex also supports The Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance and the Pebble Beach Tour D'Elegance presented by Rolex, and The Quail, which is a Motorsport Gathering.
The Paul Newman Daytona
1995 Winner of The Rolex 24 At Daytona
In 1995 ultra-famous movie star, amazing philanthropist and ultra-succesful entrepreneur, Paul Newman raced into the record books when he won the 24 Hours At Daytona.
Paul Newman is famous in the collectable Rolex world for wearing many different Rolex Daytona Cosmograph watches over the years, but he is most associated with the "Exotic Dial Paul Newman as seen on a FAT-STRAP in the photo below, which his wife Joanne Woodward gave him as a give in 1972 when he started his racing career. Paul Newman became extremely passionate about racing while starring in the 1969 movie named Winning, in which he played a race-car driver as pictured in the photo above.
As I mentioned, Paul Newman was a huge Rolex Daytona collector and Rolex collector in general. He wore many, many different Daytona watches, and in a more recent photo taken just a few years before he passed away, we see him racing with a different Paul Newman Daytona. This one is clearly on a Rolex Oyster bracelet.
2010 Rolex 24 at Daytona
Since we have taken a historic look back at Daytona, let's take a look at the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is a 24-hour sports car endurance race held at the Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Florida on a 3.56-mile (5.73km) combined race course. This unique road course utilizes portions of the NASCAR tri-oval, coupled with an infield rad course. The race has historically been held the last weekend of January or first weekend of February.
In 1962, a few years after the track was built, a 3-hour race named The Daytona Continental began, which counted toward the World Car Championship. Rolex has sponsored the race for 19 years since 1991. Winners of the Rolex 24 At Daytona always receive a stainless steel Rolex Daytona.
In the photo below, we see the newly christened Rolex 24 At Daytona flagstand at the Daytona International Speedway.
World Class Drivers & Actors?
There have been some really successful actors like James Dean, Paul Newman and Steve McQueen who got really into racing cars. Many heavy-hitting drivers showed-up to compete to win the Rolex 24 At Daytona and actor Patrick Dempsey, who stars on the TV show Grey's Anatomy (pictured below) even showed up to compete. Patrick drove for the Dempsey Racing Team in #40 in the Mazda RX-8. The 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona was the third time Patrick Dempsey competed as a team member.
Here is a video of Patrick Dempsey talking about the 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona and he mentions how he wants to win the Rolex Daytona Cosmograph watch:
Luke Hines is pictured below sporting his Rolex LV 50th Anniversary Submariner. Luke was representing Great Britain and drove on the Miller Barrett Racing team in the Porsche GT3 #48. (Sorry, I couldn't resist matching the color of this text with Luke's funky shades ;-) Dude!?! Wasssuuuup with the lid!?! Say Ho, if you got your funky busfare!!!!
Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go Speed Racer, Go!!!! I have no idea why I just wrote that, but the Speed Racer theme-song started playing in my head!?!
In the photo below we see two of the wicked-cool new Chevy Camaro Concept cars looking awfully tight!!! I can't remember the last time I actually like and desired an American car, but that all-new Camaro is looking amazingly cool!!!! I can't wait so see it next year when Chevy introduces the convertible version!!!! The cars below were competing in the Grand Touring Class which is commonly referred to as the GT Class.
There are two distinct classes of cars that compete at the Rolex 24 At Daytona. The Daytona Grand Touring Class and the Daytona Prototype Class. Daytona Prototype Class cars use less expensive materials and technology.
This next shot was taken in the 18th hour of the Rolex 24 At Daytona. In this photo the cars kind of look like Hot Wheels–don't they?
Fireworks Over The Daytona International Raceway
In this next photo we see racing legend Hurley Haywood in the pitstop in the middle of the night as the pit team begins to prepare the car for its next driver. The different teams have multiple drivers who switch off driving the car.
This next shot is of a Porsche Gt3 from the Miller Barrett Racing Team.
The Checkered Flag Goes To
Winners Of The 2010 Rolex 24 At Daytona
The Daytona Prototype (DP) Class winner was the Action Express Racing Car #9, which was a Porsche driven by the following team members: Terry Borcheller (Vero Beach, Florida), Joao Barbosa (Portugal), Mike Rockenfeller (Altnua, Switzerald) and Ryan Dalziel (Orlando, Florida).
The Rolex 24 at Daytona team that got the checkered flag for the Grand Touring (GT) Class was the SpeedSource car #70 with was a Mazda RX-8 which was driven by the following team members: David Haskell (Plantation, Florida), Sylvain Tremblay (Sunrise, Florida), Nick Ham (Evergreen, Colorado) and Jonathan Bomarito (Monterey, California).
Each winning team member of the Rolex 24 At Daytona gets a special edition stainless steel Rolex Daytona, which they receive in an oversized presentation box.
Each Rolex 24 at Daytona winner receives a special commemorative winners plaque as seen below, along with their special-edition, winner's Rolex Daytona Cosmograph.
Each team member of the winning team, receives a special edition stainless steel Rolex Daytona with the really cool engraving on the back!!!!
Rolex 24 At Daytona
Winner's Circle
In this next photo we see the GT Class winning team posing with their Rolex Daytona Cosmograph prize. From left to right we see: Nick Ham, David Haskell, Sylvian Tremblay and Jonathan Bomarito from who won in the Mazda RX-8 #70.
In this next shot we see Rolex U.S.A. President and C.E.O., Allen Brill posing with the winners of the Rolex 24 At Daytona from the Grand Touring (GT) Class #70, Mazda RX-8 as they pose with their Rolex Daytona Cosmograph prize watches.
In this next photo we get a close-up of Joao Barbosa from Portugal showing off his Rolex Daytona Cosmograph he won after his team won the Rolex 24 At Daytona in the Daytona Prototype Class.
All the photos in this series, unless otherwise mentioned, were taken by Stephan Cooper and are copyright by Rolex U.S.A. 2010.
Night Practice and Qualifiying Videos
Rolex 24 At Daytona Track
P.S. Want an idea of what it is like to drive in a race-car at the Rolex 24 At Daytona? Check out this night-practice video and turn the volume way up!!!!!
Historically Rolex has always been extremely secretive and discreet, and no journalists in the past have ever been invited "INSIDE ROLEX" to explore and report on all four Rolex Manufacturing faclities in Switzerland.
In November 2013, this changed when Rolex invited Jake to take an unprecdented journey into the heart of Rolex to learn and report on everything he witnessed and learned.
This Super-Detailed 3 Part Story is a "MUST READ" story for anybody who wants to understand what really makes Rolex tick.
