Product Description
Following on the heels of 2016's chronograph-category-killing new stainless Daytonas (ref. 116500LN), Rolex returned in 2017 with three new precious metal "pandas," meaning the dials are a light color and the sub dials black - think about a panda bear's face, white with black eyes and nose. All are standard 40mm Daytona cases, each in a different metal, each with a new reference number: 116515LN, 116518LN and 116519LN. The combination of the 116519LN's white gold case, sunburst "steel" dial and glossy black Cerachrom ceramic bezel makes it almost cool to the touch. Complimenting that of course is black text at the 12, white gold enhanced sub dials and the red "Daytona" at the 6. Something completely different for the Daytona line is the new patented Rolex Oysterflex bracelet, which is as high-tech and thoroughly modern a piece of kit as you'll find anywhere. In Rolex's own words, "At its core lies a superelastic metal blade overmoulded with high-performance black elastomer." That should do it. Like all modern Daytonas the 116519LN 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 covered from all angles technologically-speaking. The hands and hour markers are white gold and filled with blue glowing Chromalight lume, which will remind you in the dark that you're wearing a tool watch first and foremost. The white gold chronograph hand is tipped with a small arrowhead reminiscent of every Daytona before it. The panda dial on these watches are important because they're part of a design element common to all Daytona Cosmographs: sub dials that in some way contrast the main dial. In this case inner and outer white gold rings define and divide the sub dials, which have black sunburst centers and numeral tracks "snailed" with engraved concentric circles. 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. If ever there was a sartorially-minded tool watch the Daytona is it. The 116519LN is a beautiful, subtle watch that will make you happy every time you put it on - it's nonchalant enough to wear everywhere but just enough to remind you that you're wearing a preeminent luxury chronograph. You'll want it as your constant companion.
