Rolex presented its striking Cosmograph Daytona for the first time in 1963. It’s no coincidence that its appealing name is reminiscent of the famous Daytona International Speedway in Florida. As the track’s official timekeeper, Rolex aimed its newly designed stopwatch directly at racing drivers and timekeepers on the race track. The Geneva watch brand equipped the model with a stop seconds function, a 12-hour and 30-minute counter, and a small seconds – all symmetrically arranged in an attractive tricompax design. The Daytona also has a bezel with a tachymeter scale that allows the wearer to measure speed and distance. Rolex used the Valjoux 72 manual caliber for early Daytonas and later switched to the Zenith El Primero caliber. It wasn’t until 2000 that they switched to a specially developed in-house movement for the Daytona. It may be hard to believe, but when the Daytona was introduced, it wasn’t the hot seller it is today – although it wasn’t a flop by any means. Hollywood icon and amateur racer Paul Newman, along with clever marketing by Rolex in the decades that followed, contributed to its current extreme popularity. Demand is so high that there are almost always waiting lists for getting a new model from an authorized dealer. Although the situation looks better on the secondary market, new watches are often significantly more expensive than the official list price. The selection of used stainless steel Daytonas is large, and the chronograph is also an interesting investment in 2024. As a general rule, you should proceed with caution when selecting a pre-owned luxury watch and obtain detailed information about the seller and the specific watch of your choice.
One of the most popular Rolex Daytonas on Chrono24 is the ref. 116520 with a stainless steel bezel. You can choose between black or white for the dial color of the 40-mm watch. The Rolex in-house caliber 4130 has powered this variant since 2000. The movement offers a power reserve of 72 hours. A KIF shock protection system protects the balance wheel and escape wheel from even the most severe impacts. Thanks to a patented Parachrom hairspring, the movement can also withstand strong magnetic fields. Externally, the 116520 resembles its predecessor (ref. 16520) down to the last detail. However, if you take a closer look at the dial, you’ll notice that the running seconds have moved from the 9 o’clock position to the 6 o’clock position. In mint condition and regardless of the dial color, this Daytona costs around $30,000 as of autumn 2024. This means that its value has risen by almost 22% over the past five years. Pre-owned examples of the 116520 change hands for roughly $24,000, which corresponds to an increase in value of around 26%.
The Daytona 116500LN With a Ceramic Bezel
In 2016, Rolex presented the Daytona ref. 116500LN in the dial colors black and white. The stainless steel Daytona features a black ceramic bezel for the first time, which significantly changes the appearance of the watch. The new mix of materials gives the watch a more modern look than its predecessors, while retaining its classic aesthetic. The dial of the white version has also been given a visual update, featuring redesigned subdials with a black border. The color combination, which matches the bezel, gives this Daytona almost the famous panda look, which in turn is reminiscent of the vintage classics in this collection. The case is identical to that of the previous model and has a diameter of 40 mm. It’s powered by the in-house caliber 4130, developed almost 25 years ago. This Daytona is for the purist who appreciates the vintage character of the Daytona, but also wants to venture into modern territory. On Chrono24, the 116500LN with a black dial is available in mint condition for around $28,000. The version with a white dial is a little more popular, which is reflected in the price of around $29,000. Pre-owned prices are around $26,400 and $28,500 respectively. Based on the previous list price of $13,200, the price performance of this Daytona is outstanding.
60th Anniversary Edition – Daytona Ref. 126500LN
To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Daytona, Rolex unveiled a total of five new variants at Watches and Wonders in 2023. The new models include stainless steel with a ceramic bezel, Rolesor with a yellow gold bezel, yellow gold with a ceramic bezel, Everose gold with an Everose gold bezel, and platinum with a ceramic bezel. The standard model is the stainless steel version with the reference number 126500LN. The design of the current Daytona has been lightly but extensively reworked. The shape of the 40 mm case – including the crown guard – was adapted slightly and now has more harmonious proportions. The overall height of just 11.9 mm is a good 0.5 mm thinner than its predecessor. The hour indices are somewhat slimmer and the subdials have a more discreet appearance. Another detail is the metal ring that surrounds the ceramic bezel, which gives the watch a more compact appearance. In true Rolex fashion, the changes are subtle, so the 126500LN is instantly recognizable as a classic Daytona. With the launch of the new Daytona models, Rolex also introduced the caliber 4131, a new version of the already established caliber 4130. Like its predecessor, the new movement is equipped with a column wheel and a vertical clutch, but has been supplemented with the patented Chronergy escapement. The escapement is made of a nickel-phosphorus alloy, which has a special resistance to magnetic fields. The power reserve remains unchanged at 72 hours. For the bracelet, Rolex naturally continues to rely on the familiar Oyster bracelet with polished center links. You can buy the Rolex Daytona 126500LN with a white dial in mid-October 2024 in mint condition for around $33,500. The variant with a black dial is noticeably cheaper at around $30,000. The generally subdued mood on the (Rolex) watch market has had a noticeable impact on its price performance since its launch. The price of the white dial version has fallen by around 23% since its launch, while the black version has fallen by 21%. Compared with the list price of around $17,000, the performance is nevertheless remarkable.
Daytona 6239 Paul Newman
No article about the Rolex Daytona would be complete without a few lines about the Paul Newman Daytona. This watch is by far the most popular vintage Daytona out there. The most famous Paul Newman Daytona is probably the ref. 6239. The Hollywood star received a copy of this reference as a gift from his wife Joanne Woodward in the 1960s. Newman wore this watch regularly, including during his many car races. The 6239 Paul Newman features what is known as an “exotic dial.” The dial is white and has three black subdials with Art Deco style numbering. Another feature of the Daytona 6239 Paul Newman is the red minute scale at the edge of the dial. Like all previous references, the Paul Newman is smaller than current Daytona models. The watch measures only 37 mm in diameter and has a lug width of 19 mm, compared to the 20 mm that would later become standard. The Valjoux caliber 722 ticks inside. The movement is based on the proven Valjoux 72, which was widely used at the time. However, unlike the 72, the 722 has a Microstella balance wheel, which should ensure a longer service life and greater precision. The watch comes on an Oyster bracelet. Prices for the Daytona 6239 vary greatly depending on condition and accessories, with the average price having increased by approximately 34% since 2019. For a reputable example in good condition, you should expect to pay upwards of $200,000. The reference 6239 was also available – technically identical – with standard dials. Prices for these variants start at $54,000 and range up to over $86,000. Another interesting Daytona reference is the 6241, which is technically identical and looks confusingly similar to the Paul Newman Daytona. The main difference is that the 6241 has a bezel made of Bakelite, a synthetic material often used in the past. This variant is technically identical to the 6239 and can be found for prices between $120,000 and $240,000, depending on its condition and accessories.
Prices, Performance, and Recommendations
The stainless steel versions from the 1990s and 2000s are extremely popular and still affordable for many watch enthusiasts. That goes for variations with both the Zenith El Primero caliber and a Rolex in-house movement. As these watches are no longer produced, prices are purely speculative. Collectors, enthusiasts, and status-seekers alike appear to be willing to shell out relatively high sums. With the current ref. 126500LN, the increase in price is evident from the list price alone. It’s up to you to decide if you want to pay twice as much. For many reasons, it seems unlikely that current and newer models will experience a price spike of the magnitude we saw between 2020 and 2022 in the short to medium term. Nevertheless, a Rolex Daytona will probably never be a bad investment, provided you haven’t bought it at the maximum price. If you’re interested in a vintage model like the Paul Newman 6239, you definitely need to be careful. High profits also attract rogue dealers who turn an 08/15 Daytona into a Paul Newman. If you can and want to invest more than $200,000, we recommend that you seek expert advice and have the purchase handled by a trust.
