Product Description
There's no question that the big Rolex news out of the 2008 Baselworld Fair was the debut of the Rolex Deep Sea Sea Dweller (DSSD) but sotto voce (under the voice) Rolex also presented a new Cosmograph Daytona reference, the 116505s - and they're grand. Rendered in solid 18 carat Everose gold - Rolex's patented rose gold alloy - the highlight of this 116505 has to be those eye-catching, glossy black Arabic numerals against the chocolate brown sunburst dial. Oriented toward the center - like the tachymeter scale - they draw the eye to a lake of contrasting gilt (gold) accents - the crown at 12, the text, all of the hands including the arrow-tipped chronograph counter, the Chromalight lume filled baton hour markers, even the "SWISS MADE" at the bottom of the dial - and then there are the sub dials, which are so brilliantly executed they deserve their own conversation. The chocolate centers are contrasted by black numeral tracks that have been "snailed" with engraved concentric circles and then Everose everything: numerals, hashmarks, inner and outer boundary rings. They're a symphony of this 116505, but they're also functional. To a watch all Cosmographs from the 1963 debut to present have contrasty sub dials to enhance readability, which makes sense given that the Cosmograph was specifically designed as a tool watch for professional race car drivers. As a further little poppy bit of color the red "Daytona" at 6, which is a name that in some way has accompanied every Cosmograph since 1964 to promote Rolex's sponsorship of the annual endurance race in Daytona Beach, FL. You'll know it these days as the Rolex 24 At Daytona. Committed to professional use this 116505 of course also sports the superb caliber 4130 - an in-house, automatic, chronometer-rated, column-wheel chronograph movement - and Rolex's patented screw-down, Triplock crown. With all of this going for it this 116505 is as mechanically advanced as it is visually arresting, there isn't another manufacturer anywhere doing chocolate and pink like this. It's fashionable today and it says "Daytona" on the dial so it'll be fashionable fifty years from now too. A Rolex is always a good idea and this 116505 is proof-positive that the Daytona continues to define contemporary luxury. It is always relevant.
