Baselworld 2016: Cosmograph Daytona

Woohoo I was wrong!

In my previous article I dreamt along with many others that the ceramic Rolex Daytona would not surface until 2017, I am glad to report that it has been released in both black and white dials with a new reference 116500LN. Funnily enough the reference is the same for both dial variants.

The one that stands out the most is the white dial with Cerachrom bezel, harking back to the 16520 Zenith movement white dial which had black sub-dial surrounds. Giving it that ‘Panda’ effect, which makes the dial very smart indeed. White and black, though monochrome, is infinitely more interesting than white with silver. There is also a hint of red as in keeping with previous iterations the word ‘Daytona’ which is in its usual position, above the bottom sub-dial, in a glorious blood red.

Rolex has kept with the polished centre links on the Oyster bracelet. It smartens up the look and with their own 904L steel the polishing makes it look much more expensive than it truly is. Some would say more akin to an expensive white gold or even platinum version of the watch. Internally from what I can tell is exactly the same as the current models.

Does it lose any charm compared to the older models? I don’t think so, if anything I think it is an attempt to bring the Daytona range in-line with the majority of the sports catalogue with its use of Cerachrom. This new Rolex Daytona will undoubtedly be in huge demand and we would expect there to be a long waiting list for this updated model. It does however beg the question, what is going to happen to the existing stainless steel bezel models? The current rumour is that production of the current Rolex Daytonas in steel with a steel bezel will have their supply cut and finished by June of this year. That is only two whole months left if this rumour is correct. Either way the Daytona, old and new will always in demand.

— Featured and Body Photo Credits: BeckerTime’s Archive.