The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has achieved an iconic global status since its initial launch of the very first reference in the early 1960s. Ending a spectacular era for the manually-wound Daytona models, Rolex introduced their very first self-winding Daytona model in 1988 powered by the famous and newly developed Zenith El Primero based caliber 4030. Regarded as a major step up from its previous models, the aesthetics of the new model were also enhanced though retaining its important features.

The very first examples of the reference from circa 1988 bears an “L” serial with distinctive features that separates it from the rest. The dial is perhaps where the rarity can be depicted. While regular examples of the reference featured 5 lines of text under the coronet, early examples were fitted with dials made by the famous Rolex supplier, Singer with only 4-lines of text under the coronet with the absence of “OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED”. Extremely rare, these dials were believed to have only been in production for less than a year between 1988 – 1989. Furthermore, early examples bearing a “L” serial were also fitted with a Mark I bezel with a 200 graduation, with later examples from 1989 bearing a 400 graduation bezel.