Rolex Daytona: History, References and What Drives Value

How does a Rolex Daytona work?

The Daytona is a chronograph: besides telling the time it can start, stop and reset a stopwatch with the two pushers, measuring elapsed time on three sub-dials. The tachymeter scale on the bezel converts the time taken over a set distance into speed. Since 2000 Rolex has used its own automatic chronograph movements.

Chronograph and tachymeter

The pusher at 2 o'clock starts and stops the chronograph; the one at 4 resets it. Screw-down pushers, from reference 6263 onwards, keep water out (Wikipedia).

What are the four series of the Rolex Daytona?

The first series, from 1963, was hand-wound, beginning with reference 6239. The second, from 1988 with reference 16520, was automatic, using calibre 4030 based on the Zenith El Primero. The third, from 2000 with reference 116520, used Rolex's calibre 4130. The fourth, from 2023, uses calibre 4131 with a 72-hour reserve.

Source: Wikipedia, Rolex Daytona.

What is the Rolex Daytona 116520?

The 116520 is the steel Daytona made from 2000, the first with Rolex's own calibre 4130 automatic chronograph movement, which replaced the Zenith-based calibre 4030 of the 16520. It has a steel tachymeter bezel and black or white dials. It was followed by the ceramic-bezel 116500LN.

Which Paul Newman Daytona references are there?

Exotic dials, known as Paul Newman dials, were offered on the hand-wound Daytonas from 1963: references 6239 and 6241, then 6262 and 6264, and the screw-down pusher Oyster references 6263 and 6265. The actor's own reference 6239 sold for 17.75 million US dollars at Phillips in New York in October 2017.

What is the Rolex Panda Daytona?

Panda is the nickname for a Daytona with a white dial and black sub-dials, most often the steel 116500LN with a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel and its successor, the 126500LN of 2023. The contrast recalls a panda's markings. Black dials with white sub-dials are called reverse panda.

Rare dials

Rare and exotic Daytona dials are covered in our Daytona dials guide, and the black and white look in panda dial watches.

What is the difference between the Daytona 116503 and other models?

The 116503 is the Daytona in Yellow Rolesor: an Oystersteel case and bracelet combined with 18KT yellow gold bezel, crown, pushers and centre links, with calibre 4130. The steel 116500LN has a ceramic bezel, while solid gold versions such as the 116508 and 116518LN are gold throughout.

Which Rolex Daytona models come on an Oysterflex bracelet?

Rolex offers its rubber-covered Oysterflex bracelet on precious-metal Daytonas, such as the yellow, white and Everose gold models with ceramic bezels, references ending LN like 116518LN and 126518LN. Steel and Rolesor Daytonas come on metal Oyster bracelets. Aftermarket straps are not Rolex parts and lower originality.

Precious metal Daytonas

Gold Daytonas have been made since the first series. Modern white, yellow and Everose gold models come on leather, strap or bracelet depending on the reference.

What is the Rolex Daytona Le Mans?

Le Mans is the name of the special white gold Daytona Rolex made in 2023 for the 100th running of the 24 Hours of Le Mans, with its own calibre 4132 and a 24-hour totaliser recalling the race.

What decides the value of a Rolex Daytona?

The reference and series come first, then the dial: exotic and rare dials command the most. Originality of the pushers, bezel and hands, an unpolished case, the box and papers and a known service history add value. Precious metal Daytonas add metal value. Each watch is valued individually, and our valuation is free.

Check a Daytona first with how to tell if a Rolex is real.

Where can I sell a Rolex Daytona?

Send photographs of the dial, the side with the pushers, the case back and the papers to a specialist for a free valuation. We buy Daytonas of every series from anywhere in the UK: post by Royal Mail Special Delivery or free insured FedEx collection, or visit our Mayfair or Braintree office. Payment is by bank transfer.

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