The Rolex Daytona

When you hear “Daytona,” you probably think of one of the most hyped watches on the planet. It’s the best overall watch for some, the cliché for others, and the one Rolex that always seems just out of reach. But that wasn’t always the case.

As someone who’s fallen deep into the rabbit hole of watches over the years, I’ve grown to appreciate the Daytona not just for what it is today, but for the weird, winding road it took to get there. And trust me - it wasn’t always luxury boutiques, waitlists, and six-figure auction prices.

Source: MonochromeWatches

It Started with a Flop

The first Rolex Cosmograph Daytona launched in 1963. Rolex made it to appeal to race car drivers - hence the tachymeter scale, the bold subdials, and the name taken from the famous Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

And you know what? Nobody cared.

Seriously. For years, the Daytona was a slow seller. The early ones (reference 6239 and its siblings) had manual-wind movements sourced from Valjoux - solid but not exactly groundbreaking - and they just didn’t catch on like the Submariner or Datejust. You could walk into a shop in the ‘70s and pick one up at a discount.

Imagine that today.

Source: MonochromeWatches

Paul Newman Era

The turning point was no other than Paul Newman. The actor, race car driver, and all-around cool guy wore a specific version of the Daytona with an exotic dial - a slightly funkier design with Art Deco-style numerals and colored subdial accents. At the time, that version was considered less desirable.

Fast forward a few decades, and Newman’s name becomes permanently tied to the Daytona. His personal Daytona eventually sold at auction for over €15 million in 2017.

The irony? Rolex never called it the "Paul Newman." Collectors did.

Source: MonochromeWatches

The Automatic Era (Finally)

Rolex didn’t make an automatic Daytona until 1988 - yes, 1988. That’s when they introduced the reference 16520, using a heavily modified Zenith El Primero movement. Rolex slowed the beat rate, added their own parts, and gave it a much more reliable power reserve. The watch was now modern, more wearable, and finally caught mainstream attention.

The case grew to 40mm, the crystal became sapphire, and the vibe shifted from niche racing watch to “luxury sports chrono.”

This is also when the Daytona became hard to get. The hype had arrived, and Rolex kept production tight - whether by strategy or simply because it was still testing the waters.

Source: MonochromeWatches

Rolex Makes Its Own Movement

By 2000, Rolex said goodbye to Zenith and dropped the in-house calibre 4130. That movement is a beast: reliable, easy to service, and super efficient (fewer components than most chronographs). Reference 116520 was the poster child of this change, and from here on out, the Daytona became a mainstay in modern Rolex culture.

In 2016, Rolex updated the steel Daytona again - reference 116500LN. It got a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel and came in either a white or black dial version. This model became the steel sports Rolex to chase.

Good luck walking into an AD and buying one at retail, though.

Source: MonochromeWatches

The 116520 Years - The Last All-Steel Bezel

Launched in 2000 with Rolex’s new in-house calibre 4130, the ref. 116520 was pure Daytona: steel case, steel bezel, black or white dial, nothing too flashy. It balanced vintage proportions with modern reliability and quietly became a favorite among purists. 

By the time Rolex swapped the bezel for ceramic in 2016, the 116520 had already shifted from “great daily wearer” to “last of its kind” status.

Source: MonochromeWatches

The Modern Daytona (2023-Present)

In 2023, Rolex updated the Daytona line again for its 60th anniversary. This time, it wasn’t a massive visual change - just slightly thinner lugs, a bit more refinement on the bezel, and a new movement (calibre 4131).

And, of course, they did a crazy expensive piece: a platinum Daytona with an open caseback so you can admire the decorated movement - a rarity for Rolex. That version, with its weighty feel and icy blue dial, is a certified statement piece.

Source: MonochromeWatches

A Rare Glimpse – The Blue Prototype

While the 116520 is well-known among collectors, few have seen the striking blue prototype dial with silver subdials manufactured by Singer. Never released to the public, this dial was part of Rolex’s behind-the-scenes experiments - trials that often never make it past the prototype stage. Marked “PR” on the back to indicate its prototype status, it offers a tantalizing “what if” moment in Daytona history. 

The sunburst blue finish paired with the cool silver registers creates a completely different personality for the watch - sportier, more vibrant, yet still clearly a Daytona. In a brand famous for its incremental changes, prototypes like this remind us that Rolex has occasionally considered crazier aesthetic leaps, even if most remain hidden in vaults or private collections. For enthusiasts, seeing one is like spotting a rare concept car - proof that the familiar icon could have looked very different.

Source: MonochromeWatches

So, What’s the Big Deal?

Well, it’s complicated.

What I Love:

• Design consistency. The Daytona has evolved, but it’s never lost the soul of its original 1960s design. It still looks like a Daytona.
  
  

• Proportions. At 40mm, it’s wearable for a lot of wrists. Slim for a chronograph. Modern, but not bulky.
  
  

• Movement. The in-house calibre is rock solid. You get all the chronograph function you’d need in real life, plus the flex of wearing something engineered to last.
  
  

• Icon factor. Like it or not, the Daytona means something. It has history, pop culture clout, and serious resale value.
  
  

• Dial options. Whether it’s steel, gold, platinum, or meteorite, there’s a Daytona that’ll scratch that itch - if you can find it.
  

Source: MonochromeWatches

What I Don't Love:

• The hype. It’s exhausting. Try walking into a Rolex boutique and asking for a steel Daytona - they’ll laugh (mostly politely). Waitlists are years long, and the secondary market prices are often double retail.
  
  

• The flex culture. The Daytona used to be for racecar guys. Now it’s more associated with finance bros, crypto millionaires, and Instagram flexers. That’s not Rolex’s fault - but it’s the reality.
  
  

• Limited functionality. Let’s be honest - most people don’t need a chronograph in 2025. It’s cool, but functionally? You’ll probably use your iPhone timer instead.
  
  

• Design fatigue. After years of the same silhouette, some collectors want Rolex to take bigger risks. New complications? Different sizes? A sportier strap option? Something.

Should You Even Try to Buy One?

If you're looking to own a Daytona and don’t already have a long-standing relationship with a Rolex dealer, your options are limited:

1. Wait (and wait, and wait) for the call that may never come.
   
   

2. Buy pre-owned, and accept the fact you’re paying over retail.
   
   

3. Go for an older reference, like the Zenith-era or even a manual wind vintage one - though those aren’t exactly bargains either.
   
   

But here's the thing: if you’re going to spend serious money on a watch, it should be one you love, not just one you think you’re supposed to love.

And while the Daytona deserves its place in horological history, it’s not for everyone. Some collectors I know flipped theirs after six months. Others wear them daily and call it their “forever watch.” Me? I admire it, respect it - but I’ve never felt the itch to chase one for myself.