Did you know about Rolex's connection with motorsports? The 24 Hours of Le Mans and the F1 Grand Prix!

This time, I'll be talking about a topic that only a racing fan like me can talk about. It's about Rolex, which is not well known in Japan, and its partnership with auto racing.
This is the story behind the origin of the name of the chronograph, "Daytona."

Why are watches, cars, and racing so closely related?

　There are many articles about watches in car-related magazines and online media. I myself have written countless articles about car-related watches. There are two reasons for this. One is that car media readers "love cars = love mechanisms = love watches." The other reason is that "there are many watch models that are collaborations with cars and racing."

　But why are there so many "collaboration models with cars and racing" for watches? This is because, not just for cars but for all races, without a reliable time measurement system (race timing), the accuracy and fairness of the results of car races cannot be ensured. Car races cannot take place without an official timekeeping system.

The unknown face of Rolex: "Official timekeeping for auto races"

　It's not widely known, but Rolex, the world's most popular watch brand, is also deeply involved in auto racing. The first model of the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, the most popular Rolex watch, was released in 1963 and was named after the Daytona International Speedway in Florida, USA. Rolex enthusiasts will likely know this.

　One race held at this circuit that Rolex has been committed to is the "Daytona 24 Hours," which has been held since 1966. This race is one of the world's three major endurance races, the most grueling for cars, with cars running at full speed for 24 hours to compete for victory. Since 1992, when Rolex became the main sponsor, the race has been called the "Rolex 24." Furthermore, Rolex is the official watch of the most famous of these three major endurance races, the "24 Hours of Le Mans."

　And although it is not widely known, since 2013 Rolex has been a global partner and official watch of the Formula 1 Grand Prix (F1GP), the pinnacle of motor racing, which was held at Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture on October 9th. The winning driver of each race is presented with a Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex remains deeply committed to racing.

Official timekeeping performed by a huge system

　Whether it's the 24 Hours of Daytona, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, or the Formula 1 Grand Prix, the official timekeeping systems for modern automobile races are the polar opposite of mechanical clocks; they are fully digital computer systems that combine a time measurement system, a telemetry system that monitors the condition of the machine in real time, a communication system between the driver and team, and a system for broadcasting race footage.
This information is constantly distributed to the circuit's press room, guest rooms, and racing teams.

　Unfortunately, F1 races can currently only be viewed through paid streaming services, but as you can see from the content on YouTube's "FORMULA 1" channel, modern F1 cars are equipped with a variety of digital devices, including transponders (radio transmitters) based on ACIT (Automatic Car Identification Technology), which precisely measure the time for each section of the circuit, as well as high-definition live cameras that broadcast the race from the driver's point of view, allowing you to enjoy the race from every angle. This is true not only for F1 but also for rallies and other events.

　Until the 1960s, race timing was done using dozens of mechanical stopwatches. However, today's race timing is not simply a matter of measuring time like in the past; it is a system that provides all kinds of information to those who need it, including information about the car and driver, as well as audio and video. Why not watch a car race knowing this?