Origin of the word "Cosmograph''?

[Singslinger]

Everyone in TRF refers to our beloved Daytona as simply the Daytona. But on the dial, the word "Cosmograph'' also appears. I've been wondering - what or who exactly is a Cosmograph? The Soviets used to refer to their astronauts as Cosmonauts which implies a Cosmograph is a chronograph for Cosmonauts, but I don't recall Rolex having any affiliations with the USSR.

So where did the name come from? Is it simply Rolex trying to be clever and devising a different word for "chronograph''?

[frostie]

Both words Cosmonaut and Cosmograph are of Greek origin


Cosmonaut = Cosmos which in Greek means world and Nautis which means sailor ( metaphorically the one that floats like a sailor in space )

Cosmograph = Cosmos which in Greek means world again and Graph or grafo which in greek means write

So Cosmograph means a general description/writing of the world or the universe

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by frostie

Both words Cosmonauts and Cosmographs are of Greek origin


Cosmonaut = Cosmos which in greek mean world and Nautis which means sailor ( metaphorically the one that floats like a sailor in space )

Cosmograph = Cosmos which in greeks means world again and Graph or grafo which in greek means write

So Cosmograph means a general description/writing of the world or of the universe

Brilliant - thanks for that!

[frostie]

No problem

[frostie]

Chronograph is of Greek origin too !


Chronograph = Chronos which in Greek means time and graph/grafo which in greek means write

So Chronograph is the device that tracks/writes down time

[Art 1]

Cosmograph is the term given by Rolex when they moved the tachymeter scale to the bezel. In greek it means writing of time.

Rolex came up with the word cosmograhp.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Art 1

Cosmograph is the term given by Rolex when they moved the tachymeter scale to the bezel. In greek it means writing of time.

Rolex came up with the word cosmograhp.

Actually you are wrong because Chronograph means writing of time in Greek

Cosmograph comes from the word Cosmography which is of Greek origin and it means :

1. a general description of the world
2. the science dealing with the structure of the universe as a whole and of its related parts: geology, geography, and astronomy are branches of cosmography

Rolex probably used the word Cosmograph because it sounded more sophisticated and differentiated their product from having a common name like Chronograph

[Xenophon]

I think the original Rolex Cosmograph produced in the 30's or 40's had a moonphase type dial. Only a very few were produced. Calling this watch a Cosmograph make sense. Why the Daytona is also a Cosmograph, I don't know.

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I think the original Rolex Cosmograph produced in the 30's or 40's had a moonphase type dial. Only a very few were produced. Calling this watch a Cosmograph make sense. Why the Daytona is alos a Cosmograph, I don't know.

Probably they wanted to keep alive the history of the 30's & 40's Cosmograph watches

[Lion]

Frostie, Thanx for the information and education!!!

[bodybump]

good one fros

[jake]

Rolex gave the 6062 Moonpahse two unusual nomenclature designations to suggest a proprietary nature.

They called the case "The Super Oyster Case" and they also called the watch a Cosmograph because it had stars and the moon on it.

Cosmos=Stars (Think Universe and Carl Sagan & Cosmos).

After they discontinued the Moonphase they decided to keep the name and use it on the Daytona because they thought it sounded better to call it a Cosmograph instead of a Chronagraph. In other words they wanted to create their own unique designation for their Chronograph to set it apart.

People also always get Chronograph confused with Chronometer and there is also Cosmograph.

Originally Posted by Xenophon

I think the original Rolex Cosmograph produced in the 30's or 40's had a moonphase type dial. Only a very few were produced. Calling this watch a Cosmograph make sense. Why the Daytona is also a Cosmograph, I don't know.

[Tools]

To expand a bit on this..

Rolex registered the name Cosmograph in 1953, and as has been said, it was used on their Moonphase until 1956. Rolex used the simple "Chronograph" under the name on the standard 2 sub-dial models.

They began using Cosmograph on their three dialed Chronographs ..

They didn't start using the word "Daytona" on any watches until about 1962 when a few were given that additional name to capitalize on the growing hot-rod and especially NASCAR racing that was becoming popular.. In 1966 they were the official time-keeper at the NASCAR Daytona Race. You might say that Daytona was mostly a commemorative designation on the dial.

Cosmograph's can be found both with and without the "Daytona" on the dial all through the 60's and 70's....

After a few years, this simple name (Daytona) became the standard way of referring to the Rolex Cosmograph whether it was a Daytona or not.... so it wasn't until the late 70's or early 80's that Daytona badging started to appear on all Cosmo's.

Therefore, it could be argued that the watch is more correctly a Rolex Cosmograph.

[jake]

Hi Larry,

Wow!!! I did not know that about the Daytona history. That is really fascinating and it makes perfect sense.

Thanks for sharing.

Warmest regards,

Jake

Originally Posted by Tools

To expand a bit on this..

Rolex registered the name Cosmograph in 1953, and as has been said, it was used on their Moonphase until 1956. Rolex used the simple "Chronograph" under the name on the standard 2 sub-dial models.

They began using Cosmograph on their three dialed Chronographs ..

They didn't start using the word "Daytona" on any watches until about 1962 when a few were given that additional name to capitalize on the growing hot-rod and especially NASCAR racing that was becoming popular.. In 1966 they were the official time-keeper at the NASCAR Daytona Race. You might say that Daytona was mostly a commemorative designation on the dial.

Cosmograph's can be found both with and without the "Daytona" on the dial all through the 60's and 70's....

After a few years, this simple name (Daytona) became the standard way of referring to the Rolex Cosmograph whether it was a Daytona or not.... so it wasn't until the late 70's or early 80's that Daytona badging started to appear on all Cosmo's.

Therefore, it could be argued that the watch is more correctly a Rolex Cosmograph.

[boon626]

thanks 4 sharing the infos, Frostie, Jake and Larry.

The SS Black Dial Daytona is on top my ROLEX wish list. ...just hope tat I'll "bump" into one soon at listed price or less......have to go and pray now....

[Rollieo]

Originally Posted by Tools

To expand a bit on this..

Rolex registered the name Cosmograph in 1953, and as has been said, it was used on their Moonphase until 1956. Rolex used the simple "Chronograph" under the name on the standard 2 sub-dial models.

They began using Cosmograph on their three dialed Chronographs ..

They didn't start using the word "Daytona" on any watches until about 1962 when a few were given that additional name to capitalize on the growing hot-rod and especially NASCAR racing that was becoming popular.. In 1966 they were the official time-keeper at the NASCAR Daytona Race. You might say that Daytona was mostly a commemorative designation on the dial.

Cosmograph's can be found both with and without the "Daytona" on the dial all through the 60's and 70's....

After a few years, this simple name (Daytona) became the standard way of referring to the Rolex Cosmograph whether it was a Daytona or not.... so it wasn't until the late 70's or early 80's that Daytona badging started to appear on all Cosmo's.

Therefore, it could be argued that the watch is more correctly a Rolex Cosmograph.

Reviving an old thread, was googling and found this. All roads lead back to TRF, lol. Was curious about the origins of the Cosmograph name.

I heard that Rolex gave it that name with the anticipation and hope that they would be watch for astronauts. Given the introduction of the Daytona name in 1962, which is when Omega became the first watch in space, then followed by NASA trials in 1964 where Omega won out... coincidence that Rolex moved to the Daytona name at that time?

Or truth in the story that it originally was meant for the moon but Omega got there first?