Product Description
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN is the watch that blew up the Baselworld Fair in 2016, thanks to a combination of three details: the black Rolex patented Cerachrom ceramic bezel with its gorgeous platinum tachymeter scale; the 40 mm case in Rolex's proprietary 904L steel; and the choice of either a glossy white dial with black sub dial numeral tracks, or as we have here a glossy black dial with silver sub dial numeral tracks. That's it, these alone were just enough to give this thoroughly modern Daytona the vintage(y) look the Rolex cognoscenti had waited nigh on three decades for - within hours of the unveiling there were waiting lists for this watch at Rolex dealers around the world, and why not? Outfitted with the august caliber 4130 - an in-house, automatic, chronometer-rated, column-wheel chronograph movement - and Rolex's patented screw-down, Triplock crown the 116500LN is as technically sound as it is aesthetically perfect. The hour and minute hands are 18 carat white gold and filled with Chromalight lume as are the hour markers. The white gold seconds hand is tipped with a small arrowhead reminiscent of every Daytona before it. The black bezel puts the 116500LN into thoroughly vintage-inspired territory as does a small design element that's common to all Daytona Cosmographs: sub dials that in some way contrast the dial. In this case the silver numeral track is "snailed" with engraved concentric circles onto which the numerals are printed. In 1963 when the Cosmograph was brand new this might have seemed an odd design flourish but it was more utilitarian than fashionable. The watch was purposely designed for professional racing drivers to wear on-track to calculate speed and time laps during a race so at a glance contrasting dials were easier to read. Originally known only as the Cosmograph, the "Daytona" moniker found it's way to the dial in 1964 during the third year of Rolex's sponsorship of what is now known as the Rolex 24 At Daytona endurance race - as with all Cosmographs since the late 1960s this 116500LN characteristically sports "Daytona" around the top of the sub dial located at the 6 position, which is something that still causes heart palpitations among Rolex enthusiasts. If ever there was a sartorially-minded steel tool watch, this is it. Black goes with everything and is never out of style - this is the Daytona you buy and never sell. Beyond future updates to the already superb movement there's almost nothing that can be done to enhance this watch. As an aside, in the mid-1960s full retail of a Daytona was $210 USD including federal tax, and jewelers were discounting that because no one wanted them. A vintage reference Daytona will set you back low-mid six figures at auction these days and that's for a watch you wear gingerly or perhaps not at all. The 116500LN on the other hand looks vintage(y) but it's made to be worn hard and never give you a moment's trouble. True nonchalance is putting on a luxury watch every day and going about your business never thinking twice about whether it's keeping good time or whether it's appropriate with your manner of dress, it's just part of you, it's your constant companion. The 116500LN is now the standard-bearer for luxury chronographs, without exception. A Rolex is always a good idea.
