126500LN
CurrentCosmograph Daytona
2023 — present
40mm Oystersteel, black Cerachrom bezel, white or black dial. Calibre 4131 with revised 'Lac' sub-dials.
Case: OystersteelDial: White or Black
The Rolex Daytona Cosmograph is the definitive professional chronograph — and one of the most coveted watches ever made. Originally designed for racing drivers in 1963, the Daytona takes its name from the Daytona International Speedway and became immortalised through its association with Paul Newman, whose personal 'exotic dial' reference 6239 sold at Phillips in 2017 for $17.8 million. The contemporary Daytona houses the Calibre 4130 column-wheel chronograph movement, which Rolex manufactures entirely in-house and certifies as a Superlative Chronometer. The current references — 126500LN (black ceramic bezel), 126503 (two-tone), and 126505 (Everose gold) — maintain extraordinary waitlists at authorised dealers, making the secondary market the practical route to ownership. The white dial stainless steel 116500LN, produced from 2016 to 2023, remains particularly coveted. Daytona prices on the secondary market reflect genuine scarcity: Rolex produces fewer Daytonas than any other core Oyster model, and demand continues to vastly exceed supply.
Key References
126500LN116500LN116503116505126503126505
100%
Authenticated
5,000+
Pieces Sold
25+
Countries
Specifications
Daytona Technical Specifications
| Movement | Calibre 4131 (current 126500LN) · Calibre 4130 (116500LN) — column-wheel chronograph, automatic |
|---|---|
| Power reserve | 72 hours (Calibre 4131) · 72 hours (Calibre 4130) |
| Water resistance | 100 metres |
| Case material | 904L Oystersteel · 18ct White Gold · 18ct Yellow Gold · 18ct Everose Gold · Platinum 950 |
| Case diameter | 40mm |
| Thickness | 11.9mm (126500) · 12.4mm (116500) |
| Lug-to-lug | 47.5mm |
| Weight | ~140g on steel Oyster bracelet |
| Crystal | Sapphire (no Cyclops) |
| Bezel | Cerachrom ceramic monobloc with engraved tachymetric scale (steel) · 18ct gold (precious-metal refs) |
| Bracelet | Oyster three-link with Oysterlock safety clasp & Easylink 5mm extension |
Reference Guide
Daytona References Explained
126503
CurrentCosmograph Daytona Yellow Rolesor
2023 — present
40mm two-tone Oystersteel & yellow gold. Champagne, slate, or chocolate dials. Calibre 4131.
Case: Yellow Rolesor
126506
CurrentCosmograph Daytona Platinum
2023 — present
40mm 950 platinum with chestnut brown ceramic bezel and ice blue dial — the platinum flagship.
Case: Platinum 950Dial: Ice blue
126508
CurrentCosmograph Daytona Yellow Gold
2023 — present
40mm 18ct yellow gold with green or black dial. Calibre 4131.
Case: 18ct Yellow Gold
126509
CurrentCosmograph Daytona White Gold
2023 — present
40mm 18ct white gold with bright black or blue/red dial. Calibre 4131.
Case: 18ct White Gold
116500LN
DiscontinuedCosmograph Daytona
2016 — 2023
40mm Oystersteel with black Cerachrom bezel. White or black dial. Calibre 4130. The benchmark pre-owned Daytona.
Case: OystersteelDial: White or Black
116503
DiscontinuedCosmograph Daytona Yellow Rolesor
2017 — 2023
40mm two-tone with metal tachymetric bezel (not ceramic). Champagne or black dials.
Case: Yellow Rolesor
116505
DiscontinuedCosmograph Daytona Everose
2008 — 2023
40mm 18ct Everose gold with various dial options including chocolate and meteorite.
Case: 18ct Everose Gold
116515LN
DiscontinuedCosmograph Daytona Everose Oysterflex
2017 — 2023
40mm Everose gold on Oysterflex rubber bracelet with black ceramic bezel. Particularly sought-after.
Case: 18ct Everose Gold
Market Price
What does a Daytona cost?
Current retail (126500LN)
~$15,100
Pre-owned (low)
$28,000
Pre-owned (high)
$42,000
Recently observed
Box-and-papers 126500LN white dial trades $34,000–$38,000; black dial commands a small premium. 116500LN white dial 2016–2023 still fetches $30,000–$36,000.
Steel Daytona premium has compressed from 2022 peaks (~$60,000) but remains 2x retail. 116515LN Everose Oysterflex trades $52,000–$68,000. Platinum 126506 lists at $80,000–$110,000.
History
Daytona Through the Years
1963
First Cosmograph Daytona ref. 6239 launched with manual-wind Valjoux 72 movement.
1965
Iconic 'Paul Newman' exotic dial introduced on the 6239 and 6241.
1988
First automatic Daytona (16520) using Zenith El Primero base movement.
2000
Reference 116520 launches with Rolex's first in-house chronograph movement, Calibre 4130.
2011
First ceramic-bezel Daytona — 116515LN in Everose gold with Oysterflex.
2016
Reference 116500LN launches the steel Daytona with black ceramic bezel — instant-classic.
2017
Paul Newman's personal 6239 sells at Phillips for $17.8 million — record for any wristwatch.
2023
Current 126500LN debuts at Watches & Wonders with Calibre 4131 and revised dial finish.
Buying Guide
How to buy a pre-owned Daytona
01
126500LN versus 116500LN
The 126500LN (current) has the new Calibre 4131, slightly different dial finish, and the latest case proportions. The 116500LN (2016–2023) has the proven Calibre 4130 and is typically $4,000–$8,000 less expensive pre-owned. Both are excellent acquisitions; 126500LN has slightly more upside long-term.
02
Dial colour matters less than you'd think
Black and white panda Daytonas trade within $500–$1,500 of each other. Choose the dial you prefer aesthetically — both have equivalent collector appeal. Avoid getting caught up in 'one is better' debates.
03
Service interval matters on chronographs
Daytona service is more involved than a Submariner due to the chronograph movement. Expect $1,200–$2,000 for full service every 8–10 years. Always verify recent service status when buying pre-owned.
Sizing
Will the Daytona fit your wrist?
At 40mm with 47.5mm lug-to-lug, the Daytona wears moderately for its diameter — narrower than the Submariner due to slimmer pushers. The 11.9–12.4mm thickness slips easily under shirt cuffs, even with a sport jacket. Suits wrists 6.25" and up; on smaller wrists it remains balanced because the case proportions are conservative. The Easylink extension allows 5mm of micro-adjustment for daily comfort.
Compare
Daytona vs. its siblings
vs. Submariner
Both 40–41mm Rolex sports icons, but Daytona is a chronograph-focused racing watch with three sub-dials, while Submariner is a clean-dial dive watch. Daytona wears slightly thinner; Submariner has more presence.
vs. Gmt Master Ii
The GMT-Master II shares the Oyster case and movement family but adds a second time zone via a 24-hour bezel and GMT hand. Daytona is the racing instrument; GMT-Master II is the traveler's tool.
vs. Day Date
Day-Date and Daytona occupy opposite ends of the Rolex catalogue: precious-metal dress versus stainless steel sport. The Daytona is the modern statement piece; the Day-Date is the traditional power statement.
Common Questions
Daytona — Frequently Asked Questions
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