Would Rolex ever do an Indy 500 watch

[roaddog359]

Would Rolex ever do an Indianapolis 500 watch since they already have the Daytona? And what made them go with Daytona over the Indy 500 for a watch design? Was it a sponsor thing?

[Cryten]

The Daytona track was closer to a watch shape.

[tkerrmd]

Because Daytona is the coolest racetrack in the world!

[michael067]

Probably not.

[Tools]

Rolex chose the name Daytona to put on a few of their not-too-popular Cosmograph models back in the early 60's.

No "sponsor" deal, no money incentive; they just wanted to appeal to the, then, up-coming race watchers and participants.

Apparently Daytona was a winner since after a few years they started putting that on all Cosmo dials and the cult was created.

Pretty unlikely that they would just badge something with "Indy 500"; probably not even on their radar..

[T. Ferguson]

Like most things Rolex does, we'll likely never know why they chose the name over calling it say, the Rolex LeMans for purposes of labeling the chronograph in reference to auto racing. It is possible the use of Daytona may have avoided potential license or trademark issues. But it is likely the watch is referencing the race (24 hours of Daytona) and not the race track. And Daytona would be much more appropriate than Indy 500 (which must surely be trademarked) for Rolex since the 24 Hours of Daytona is an endurance race. Notably the inaugural event was held in 1962 and the watch came out in 1963. It is a logical sponsorship opportunity for Rolex and is probably why they has been the title sponsor of the race since 1991.

[cornerstore]

Originally Posted by T. Ferguson

Like most things Rolex does, we'll likely never know why they chose the name over calling it say, the Rolex LeMans for purposes of labeling the chronograph in reference to auto racing. It is possible the use of Daytona may have avoided potential license or trademark issues. But it is likely the watch is referencing the race (24 hours of Daytona) and not the race track. And Daytona would be much more appropriate than Indy 500 (which must surely be trademarked) for Rolex since the 24 Hours of Daytona is an endurance race. Notably the inaugural event was held in 1962 and the watch came out in 1963. It is a logical sponsorship opportunity for Rolex and is probably why they has been the title sponsor of the race since 1991.

Rolex Lemans

http://www.timeandwatches.com/p/hist...h-daytona.html

[GB-man]

No

[T. Ferguson]

Originally Posted by cornerstore

Rolex Lemans

http://www.timeandwatches.com/p/hist...h-daytona.html

Ha, I was pretty close on that one. If the article is correct however, the watch is named after the track nd not after the 24 hour race (which was 3 hours back then I believe).

[watchwatcher]

Doubtful.

[Cryten]

These answers are getting too sensible. It's clearly the shape. Only Richard Mille or Franck Muller could make an Indianapolis watch and I shall now prove it with the use of photos acquired from the interweb.

Figures 1&2: the Daytona Speedway and a Rolex Daytona





Figures 3&4 The Indianapolis Raceway and Franck Muller





I rest my case.

[Bo-Dacious]

As Cryten said... No need to overthink it.

I'm waiting for the Nürburgring to hit the shelves.

Originally Posted by Cryten

These answers are getting too sensible. It's clearly the shape. Only Richard Mille or Franck Muller could make an Indianapolis watch and I shall now prove it with the use of photos acquired from the interweb.

Figures 1&2: the Daytona Speedway and a Rolex Daytona





Figures 3&4 The Indianapolis Raceway and Franck Muller





I rest my case.

[Wcdhtwn]

Rolex seems to do more with Europen based sports. Yeah Daytona is in the US but it's part of the Le Mans series. Lots of US golfers sponsored by Rolex but golf started in Scotland. Then look at F1, mainly European but with races all over the world. I guess Europe/international sports have the panache that Rolex prefers. Is Rolex a sponsor of the Indy 500? Don't remember seeing their signs on the course.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Wcdhtwn

Rolex seems to do more with Europen based sports. Yeah Daytona is in the US but it's part of the Le Mans series. Lots of US golfers sponsored by Rolex but golf started in Scotland. Then look at F1, mainly European but with races all over the world. I guess Europe/international sports have the panache that Rolex prefers. Is Rolex a sponsor of the Indy 500? Don't remember seeing their signs on the course.

Before 'Daytona' it was briefly called 'Le Mans'.

Pic fom Jake's Rolex site...

[Cryten]

Originally Posted by Old Expat Beast

Before 'Daytona' it was briefly called 'Le Mans'.

It's a little known fact that Rolex initially chose Le Mans as the name but changed it to Daytona when they realised the Le Mans race track was shaped more like the Beatles' Yellow Submarine than a watch.

[77T]

As a business, I'd guess Rolex would name a watch anything that might guarantee and extra Billion CHF. But Indy isn't a name that would fetch more than a few hundred extra units sold methinks.
We'll race there in 2017 and I'm thinking we'll wish we were back in Daytona as Tom properly noted - coolest track in US with Road America a close 2nd.

[Runner1975]

Yes, TAG Heuer has a contract/is a sponsor of the Indy 500. OK . . . wait . . . armor's firmly is place --- and, yes, I love my TAG Indy 500 watch and wore it most recently to the 100th Indy 500 this past May (one of the most thrilling and exciting -- and safe races, thankfully). It was my 51st Indy 500 --- uh, I was quite young attending my first 500 -- really! TAG Aquaracers have been reliable, too, and have seen LOTS of underwater creatures on my trips to the Keys and Bahamas (though, candidly, I hope a Sub someday sees them with me, too). To be honest and fair, I do dearly love my two Rolex watches that I rotate and wear 24/7 expect for several days in May and "underwater." Lastly, I must say it --- the Indy 500 is the "greatest spectacle in racing" in fact, indeed, always !!

[Le Chef]

Rather than Indy 500 why not call it "Monza" or "Spa" or "Suzuka" after the most challenging tracks on the current F1 calendar?