A sensor is provided for determining at least one rotation characteristic of a rotating element. The sensor includes a sensor wheel, which is connectable to the rotating element, including at least one first reading track. The reading track includes a first plurality of magnetic event timers. The sensor furthermore includes at least one magnetic sensor for detecting magnetic events generated by the first plurality of magnetic event timers. The first reading track is designed in such a way that, over a complete circumference of the sensor wheel, a magnetic field strength of the first plurality of event timers changes step-by-step from a first maximum north pole to a first maximum south pole.