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 iconic 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 waitlists in the years to 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 in the market today.
However, I believe it remains crucial to briefly reiterate the Rolex Cosmograph 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 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.
This example offered here today is the now-discontinued Ref. 116520, and its introduction in 2000 marked a significant turning point for Rolex. That year, the brand transitioned from using outsourced chronograph movements to its new in-house Cal. 4130. Before this, the previous Daytona Ref. 16520 featured a Zenith El Primero movement, while earlier models in the 62XX series were powered by a Valjoux ébauche.
The enduring appeal of the Cosmograph Daytona undoubtedly lies in its timeless aesthetics, especially in an example like this one, featuring a sleek stainless steel case, a deep black dial, and the ability to just look right at home on any wrist, which speaks volumes to its timelessness. Its design language evokes a feeling similar to other iconic creations such as the Porsche 911 and Fender Stratocaster, a sentiment I am sure resonates with many.
This reference was eventually succeeded by the Ref. 116500 in 2016, which was discontinued in 2023 and replaced by the newer Ref. 126500. As another generation comes and go, we are slowly starting to see the Ref. 116520 becoming more and more collectable.
