The Cosmograph Daytona sat unsold in dealer windows through the 1960s and 1970s. Today it is the most-wanted mechanical watch in the world and our 158 examples run from £13,005 to £167,995. Here is how that happened, reference by reference.
1963–1969: the manual-wind beginning
The 6239 introduced the Daytona name and, crucially, moved the tachymetre scale from the dial to the bezel — the single design decision that defines the watch. It used a Valjoux 72 movement, hand-wound, with three sub-dials.
The 6241, 6262, 6264 and 6265 followed with variations in bezel material and pushers. Screw-down pushers arrived with the 6240 in 1965, making the Daytona properly waterproof.
The Paul Newman dials
Certain exotic dials made by Singer, with art-deco numerals and contrasting sub-dial rings, were commercial failures in period. Paul Newman wore one, given to him by Joanne Woodward. In 2017 that exact watch sold for $17.75 million.
The "Paul Newman" designation covers several dial variants across the manual-wind references. Verification is specialist work and the premiums are enormous, which makes this the single most-faked category in Rolex collecting.
1988–2000: the Zenith era
The 16520 gave the Daytona an automatic movement for the first time — but not Rolex's own. Rolex bought the Zenith El Primero, slowed it from 36,000 to 28,800 vibrations per hour, and replaced around half its components.
The 16520 is now a serious collector's watch in its own right, with dial variations (floating "Cosmograph", inverted sixes, patrizzi dials that have browned) that drive large price differences between apparently identical watches.
2000–2016: the in-house 4130
The 116520 introduced Rolex's own calibre 4130 — fewer parts than the Zenith, a vertical clutch, a 72-hour reserve, and a column wheel. It is one of the great modern chronograph movements and it made the Daytona properly Rolex's own.
The steel 116520 in white ("panda") or black is the reference most buyers will encounter, and it remains a benchmark.
2016–2023: the ceramic 116500LN
A black Cerachrom bezel on a steel case, echoing the 6263's black acrylic bezel. It became the most sought-after steel watch on earth almost immediately, traded far above retail for years, and defined the 2018–2022 market.
It has come back toward earth since. Buy today's price.
2023–: the 126500LN
The sixtieth-anniversary update brought the calibre 4131, a metal ring around the crystal, subtly reshaped sub-dials and a redesigned bracelet. Alongside it Rolex released the extraordinary platinum 126506 with an ice-blue dial and a transparent caseback — the first Daytona you can see the movement through.
Our range reaches £167,995, and the precious-metal and gem-set references occupy that top end.
Browse the collection
Browse pre-owned Rolex Daytona stock — 158 watches from £13,005, every one independently authenticated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Production has never met demand, and the Newman association turned it into a cultural object as much as a watch.
Entirely. Rolex reworked around half the movement and the watch is fully Rolex-made otherwise.
A 116520. It is the modern in-house movement, it is robust, and it costs meaningfully less than the ceramic.
