Product Description
It's surprising, but different parts of a watch can tell you a lot about it, if you're into that sort of thing. For all but the most hardcore Rolex enthusiasts this solid white gold Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116509 is hiding a small but notable change in plain site: the tachymeter numerals on the bezel are all oriented toward the center of the dial as opposed to being upright all the way around. This is not at all insignificant in the nuanced world of Rolex as it marked the way forward for all modern Daytonas. The dial seems like another animal entirely but there's something about it too that takes some examination to absorb. It's eye-catching in charcoal-grey but there's more: the finish is matte, the minute track around the outer dial is the same red as the arrow-tipped chronograph hand, which matches the sub dial totalizer hands, hashmarks and inner rings, which in turn match the "Daytona" at 6. And all of that is offset by the white text at the 12 and the applied white gold Arabic numerals, which not only reflect the light but draw the eye due to their center orientation that mirrors that of the bezel numerals. Someone thought this through. Like all modern Daytonas the 116509 is outfitted with the august caliber 4130 - an in-house, automatic, chronometer-rated, column-wheel chronograph movement - and Rolex's patented screw-down, Triplock crown so it's as technologically sound as it is visually arresting. What it's not is vintage-inspired in any way, save for a small detail common to all Daytona Cosmographs: sub dials that in some way contrast the dial. In this case over and above the red numerals, hashmarks and inner rings the subdials are defined by white gold rings around the outer edges. It's off-setting and brilliant. In 1963 when the Cosmograph was brand new this might have seemed an odd design flourish but it was more utilitarian than fashionable. The Cosmograph 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. This 116509 is a different breed of cat but without question it'll get the most attention and start the most conversations at a gathering of Rolex enthusiasts - no one will have seen anything like it. They don't make 'em like this anymore.
