Daytona

The Cosmograph Daytona is Rolex's chronograph, introduced in 1963 and named after the Daytona International Speedway. It is the most coveted Rolex production chronograph and one of the most-traded watches in the secondary market.

Generations

• 1963-1988: manual-wind Daytonas. References 6239, 6240, 6241, 6262, 6263, 6264, 6265. Valjoux-based movements (calibres 72B, 727).
• 1988-2000: automatic Zenith-based Daytonas. Reference 16520 (steel), 16518 (gold), 16523 (Rolesor). Calibre 4030 (Zenith El Primero modified).
• 2000-2016: in-house Daytonas. Reference 116520 (steel, white or black dial), 116528 (yellow gold), 116519 (white gold).
• 2016-2023: 116500LN. Cerachrom black ceramic bezel. Calibre 4130.
• 2023-present: 126500LN. Updated calibre 4131, slight case refinements.

"Paul Newman" Daytona

The most famous Daytona variant is the "Paul Newman" dial, fitted to certain 6239, 6262, 6263, 6265 references in the 1960s and 1970s. Distinctive exotic dial: contrasting sub-dial colours, Art Deco-style numerals, square markers on the sub-dials. Production was low and the dial was unpopular at launch.

The "Big Red" Newman, the "Panda" (white dial), the "Tropical" (faded), and the "Lemon" all command extreme premiums today. Paul Newman's personal 6239 sold at auction in 2017 for $17.8 million.

Modern desirability

The current 116500LN and 126500LN are among the hardest-to-acquire production watches in the world. Retail allocation is limited, secondary market premiums run 1.8x to 2.5x retail depending on dial configuration. Other modern references (116508 yellow gold, 116519 white gold, the platinum 116506 "Ice") all trade at multiples.

Reference identification

For modern Daytonas, dial colour and bezel material are the primary differentiators. The "Panda" black sub-dial on white dial and the "Inverse Panda" white sub-dial on black dial are the standard configurations in steel.

Related: rolex, chronograph, tachymetre.