Atelier SLH Horloger is a private independent company specializing in the personalization of exceptional timepieces and they are not affiliated with Rolex SA nor authorized by them to intervene in their products for any reason whatsoever. This company will buy the watches and then develop and finish unique watches for collectors and devotees of exclusive timepieces. Their watches are intended for personal and private use of collectors.
In contrast to your average customization, the watchmakers at Atelier SLH produce bold reinterpretations of historic icons, incorporating state-of-the-art technology into every one of these luxury models. To meet their standards for excellence, they select only the finest materials and pay careful attention to each and every detail. Their alterations and hand finishes are executed in our own workshops to guarantee the very highest quality.
Even though these customized watches are no longer under warranty from the original manufacturer, Atelier SLH Horloger will provide their own 5-year warranty supported by their workshop.
Taking inspiration from an advertisement that appeared in the Sebring Race Program from 1964 on page 56, they decided to create the Le Mans Edition Cosmograph Daytona. The Sebring International Raceway, which hosts a 12-hour endurance race, is a track located in central Florida, U.S., about 123 miles south-west of Daytona Beach International Raceway. The world's oldest endurance race, the 24 Hours of Le Mans, dates back to 1923 and is held in Le Mans, France. Like Le Mans, the Rolex 24 At Daytona is a 24-hour endurance race.
The development of the chronograph is closely tied to that of motor racing. The early 1960s was a boom period for corporate event sponsorship. Rolex, ever in search of technical and marketing innovations, positioned itself as the first brand to associate its logo with a competition: the 24 Hours of Daytona. From that point on, the two names became inseparable. It also gave Rolex the name for its future sports chronograph. In 1963, it launched the Cosmograph Daytona bearing the reference 6239. Yet, it could all have been so different. An advert for the 6238, an earlier release, showcased the Cosmograph Le Mans.
In 2023, the history of the 24 Hours of Le Mans once again found itself intertwined with that of the Rolex Cosmograph, as the famous race celebrated its 100-year anniversary and the chronograph its sixtieth. This double event gave Atelier SLH Horologer the perfect opportunity to demonstrate the flair and creativity of its watchmakers.
Each Le Mans watch required 250 hours of work to finish. The effect of the alterations is to uncover the true essence of the sport-chic personality of the 1970s. The two 26-piece limited edition features a 40 mm diameter stainless steel case and are equipped with a choice of either a reinterpretation of the legendary Paul Newman dial —considered the aesthetic pinnacle of all the Cosmograph references— or a reverse panda dial. Additionally, two 15-piece limited editions are based off of a 3N yellow gold case. One retains all the signature features of the legendary model —gold dial, black counters— while the other adopts the reverse two-tone color scheme.
To capture as closely as possible the original spirit of the chronograph, Atelier SLH Horloger opted to remove the crown guards and replace the existing sapphire with an original Hesalite crystal to give it more of a true vintage feel as those older Daytonas were equipped with a Plexiglas. The lugs are now satin- brushed and the sides polished for a truly unique case. The effect is further enhanced by a grade 5 titanium bezel with a forged carbon insert.
The grade 5 titanium open sapphire case-back with upper case lettering around the edge reveals the exquisite finishes applied to the Rolex calibre 4130 movement. For this customization, its bidirectional automatic winding function is now equipped with a sapphire oscillating weight with blue, white and red stripes along the edges. This new oscillating weight boosts the movement's efficiency by a measurable 25%. Additionally, the movement jewels have been reworked into a teardrop shape, and each screw has been elegantly mirror polished. The watchmakers have also worked to reduce the height of the material on the bridges. The barrel is skeletonized and features hand beveling work, while the ratchet wheel is engraved.
All Le Mans watches are available with two bracelets, one from the original watch in metal, leather or a rubber Oysterflex; and the other a bespoke leather strap crafted by an artisan carefully chosen for the quality of his or her work.
Sticker Price CHF 100,000 Swiss Francs —approx $106,000 USD— and CHF 140,000 Swiss Francs —approx $149,000 USD— for 18K yellow gold model. For more info on Atelier SLH Horloger click here.
