I don’t think I need to elaborate too much on the Daytona, as pretty much everyone is familiar with this iconic watch. It has always been the case that the ultimate Rolex isn’t a solid gold President Day-Date, but rather the Cosmograph Daytona. With never-ending waitlists at authorized dealers these days, many won’t even entertain your interest unless you’ve purchased multiple Rolexes before. Without a doubt, the Daytona is the most desirable and hardest-to-get mainstream Rolex on the market today.
That said, I think it’s worth briefly revisiting the origin story of the Rolex Daytona. In 1959, the Daytona International Speedway emerged as the fastest racing track in the United States, and by 1962, it became famous for hosting the prestigious “Rolex 24 At Daytona” endurance race. Recognizing the significance of this racing venue, Rolex became the official timepiece and timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway. In 1963, Rolex solidified its connection to the racetrack by naming its newly introduced racing chronograph the Cosmograph Daytona.
This is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500, introduced in 2016 as the successor to the Ref. 116520, and discontinued in 2023 in favor of the new Ref. 126500. While the Daytona’s design philosophy has always been more about evolution than revolution, the most notable update in this reference was the introduction of a colored ceramic (Rolex calls it ‘Cerachrom’) bezel, replacing the standard plain bezels found in earlier models.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona has been, and will always be the de facto flagship icon of Rolex, in part due to its rich history and its association with famous individuals. On the wrist, setting all the hype and history aside, it’s simply a beautiful watch. At 40mm, it fits perfectly and boasts a design that stands alongside other legendary designs, such as the Porsche 911 and the Fender Stratocaster. The glossy black dial contrasts beautifully with the matte finish of the ceramic bezel, making it a stunning addition to the already legendary Cosmograph Daytona lineup.
With Rolex’s famous quality and history, the Cosmograph Daytona strikes a perfect balance between everyday usability and still giving you that feeling of having something special on your wrist.
