I really don’t think I need to go too much into the Daytona, as pretty much everyone, watch enthusiast or not, knows or has at least heard about this watch. It has always been the case that the ultimate Rolex is ironically not a solid gold President Day-Date, but the Cosmograph Daytona. With long waitlists and authorized dealers these days not even entertaining you unless you’ve bought another (or a few) Rolex before, the Daytona is without a doubt the most desirable and hardest to get Rolex on the market today.
However, I believe it remains crucial to briefly reiterate the Rolex Daytona's origin story. In 1959, the Daytona International Speedway emerged as the swiftest racing track in the United States, and in 1962, it became renowned for hosting the esteemed “Rolex 24 At Daytona” endurance race. Recognizing the significance of this racing venue, Rolex was designated as the official timepiece/timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway. In 1963, Rolex solidified its connection to the illustrious racetrack by christening its newly introduced racing chronograph as the Cosmograph Daytona.
While we are certainly used to seeing the stainless steel Daytona, the gold Daytona has always maintained a special place in the Rolex lineup, and one of my personal picks would be this 116509, which showcases a refined and sophisticated design with its 40mm case crafted from 18-carat white gold. As a whole, the 116509 possesses a sporty and intriguing aesthetic, featuring a mesmerizing sunburst blue dial with bold red accents on the sub-dials and hour markers—a refreshing colour palette and combination you don’t often see on the Daytona template.
The Rolex Daytona has long been, and will always remain, the de facto flagship icon of Rolex, partly due to its rich history and association with famous individuals throughout history. On the wrist, with all of the hype and history aside, it is just a downright good-looking watch. At 40mm, it wears perfectly and has a design language that sits amongst other legendary designs such as the 911 Porsche and Fender Stratocaster. That said, this particular model stands out even more, thanks to its unusual configuration comprising a striking blue dial, accented by hints of red, and a substantial white gold case—my personal go-to precious metal when it comes to "stealth wealth" type of watches. While looking like steel from afar, when you strap it on your wrist, the sheer heft of the white gold case and bracelet will serve as a daily reminder of exactly what you're wearing.
With that famous Rolex quality and history, the Rolex Daytona strikes a perfect balance between everyday usability and still giving you that feeling of having something special on your wrist.
