To a racer, time is of the essence—and it isn’t only cars but also the concept of timekeeping that has evolved. The switch from using mechanical stopwatches operated by a human timer to using computer-controlled transponders installed on race cars eliminated irregularities and cheating, and improved precision in timing. In the 1971 Italian Grand Prix, for example, there was a difference of 0.061 seconds between the first and fifth place, which would have been indiscernible to the human eye. “We are going down to ultimate times. You’re not looking at seconds any more. You are looking at four digits in qualifying [for the race] and to make sure that you can separate the positions of the cars,” Kristensen says. Transponders also enable live tracking of the cars’ speed for the teams’ strategic planning and the audience’s enhanced excitement.

When it comes to wearable timepieces, the Swiss watch has also improved in performance and efficiency: the latest Daytona, for instance, is resistant to magnetic interference and is mounted on Paraflex shock absorbers.

Rolex has been the official timekeeper and provider of the official timepiece at the 24 Hours of Le Mans since 2001. Its powerful ties with motorcar racing can be dated back to the 1930s, when Sir Malcolm Campbell, known for breaking numerous racing world land-speed records, wore a Rolex while setting a new record of 483km/h in his car Bluebird in the US. The racer also reputedly wrote a letter to Rolex stating that he had been wearing its watches under “somewhat strenuous conditions”. Then in 1963, Rolex launched the Cosmograph Daytona reference 6239, named after Daytona Beach, Florida, where Campbell set five of his nine speed records. Over the years, many pioneering race car drivers and motorsport lovers have also worn Rolex, including Steve McQueen, Paul Newman and Richard Petty; and Rolex has also been the official timekeeper for prestigious sports car races, including Formula 1, the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and the Goodwood Revival.

Gradually, Rolex has become synonymous with pushing limits and pursuing greatness. Aside from the brand’s reputation for durability, each watch also represents a personal statement about the wearer, given their different designs and functions. “A watch tells you a little bit about your character. I like the Cosmograph Daytona if you want to go under the sea. If you explore the mountains, you take the Explorer. The Milgauss is a watch that I love wearing particularly when I debrief my engineers or speak [publicly], because it shows that I’m a clever boy,” Kristensen says. “A Rolex watch is something you celebrate a special occasion with, be that a newborn baby, a new job or passing an important exam, especially when you can have an inscription on the back of your watch. It’s also something you can pass on in life. Rolex watches make you stronger, more confident and are rewarding to your self-esteem."

The Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona, which was unveiled at this year’s 24 Hours of Le Mans, is a variant of the 60-year-old Daytona model and a nod to the centenary of the race. The number “100” is etched on the tachymetric scale in red ceramic; and the internals have been reworked for the chronograph function to count 24 hours instead of 12.

“When we see this unique Rolex Daytona, we see 100 years of the 24 Hours of Le Mans in one chronograph. It represents the dedication and teamwork, which makes me feel part of something greater,” says Kristensen in a press statement. “Ultimately, what brings us to these racetracks has remained the same throughout generations—passion, persistence, performance, perfect lap times and perfect timing. Le Mans started before me and it is something that will live forever.”

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