Rolex Daytona

Swiss watchmaker Rolex created the Cosmograph Daytona for the world of motorsports in 1963, naming the popular chronograph after the famous racetrack in Daytona Beach, Florida.

Virtually all the Cosmograph Daytona models are equally popular. In fact, this chronograph is among the most popular and best-selling Rolex watches on Chrono24, rubbing shoulders with the likes of the Datejust, Submariner, and GMT-Master. This was not always the case, as the Daytona was a slow seller when it debuted in the early 1960s.. That changed when Paul Newman and other Hollywood giants started wearing the watch in public. Since then, the Rolex Daytona has been one of the most sought-after chronographs in existence.

The Daytona has become a status symbol, partly because the watch is very difficult to obtain due to high demand. Long waiting times, which can be as long as several years, are not uncommon. The tight supply situation among authorized dealers also has another effect: the Daytona is now an attractive investment with excellent price performance.

Another advantage of Daytona watches is their high recognition value. As is usual with Rolex, the design of the chronograph has only been adapted very carefully over the years, which is why both vintage watches and current models are immediately recognizable as Daytona.

Reasons to Buy a Rolex Daytona

• Many references are a stable investment
• · In-house caliber 4131 with Chronergy escapement
• A legendary chronograph with widespread brand recognition
• Rare vintage models that make fantastic investments
• New in 2023: Platinum Daytona with a display case back

Prices for an unworn Rolex Daytona from the current line with a six-digit reference number range from between 26,000 and 560,000 USD on Chrono24. Two-tone models like the ref. 116503 with a white dial or the stainless steel Daytona ref. 116500LN with a black dial are entry-level versions. At the high end of the price spectrum are the rare Rolex Rainbow models.

If you're interested in a “Zenith” Daytona, expect to spend between 48,000 and 73,000 USD for an unworn example, depending on whether you prefer a stainless steel, gold, or two-tone model.

Pre-Owned Rolex Daytona Prices

Prices for a pre-owned Rolex Daytona with an automatic caliber are on average between 5% and 30% below the price you’d have to pay for an unworn example on Chrono24. For example, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 with a black dial changes hands for roughly 24,400 USD in good condition. The same watch costs approximately 34,200 USD unworn. A pre-owned two-tone Daytona ref. 116503 with a white dial, on the other hand, will cost you around 3,000 USD less than an unworn one, which will set you back well over 25,000 USD.

Prices for vintage versions are usually significantly higher due to limited availability. For example, you can expect to pay over 110,000 USD for the Daytona ref. 6263 with a Bakelite bezel. A Paul Newman Daytona ref. 6239 with an exotic dial could set you back anywhere from 55,000 to over 220,000 USD, depending on its condition and accessories.

What’s the most expensive Rolex Daytona?

The most expensive Rolex Daytona ever sold is a ref. 6239 from the personal collection of Hollywood actor Paul Newman. The watch was auctioned in 2017 for a record sum of 17.75 million USD.

The priciest variant among current models is the Daytona Rainbow. This timepiece changes hands for between 400,000 to well over 500,000 USD, depending on the variant.

What’s the most affordable Rolex Daytona?

The cheapest way to get your hands on a Rolex Daytona is to buy a two-tone model or a stainless steel variant with a black dial and black ceramic bezel. You should budget between 25,000 and 32,000 USD for an unworn example.

Since the introduction of the Cosmograph Daytona in 1963, Rolex has released numerous versions of the watch, some of which are particularly popular with Rolex enthusiasts.

Rolex Daytona in Stainless Steel

Current stainless steel Daytona models are at the top of the popularity scale. Even the original Daytona was made from this material, which is why the steel Daytona is still the first choice of purists and tradition-conscious Rolex fans.

You can find these watches under the reference numbers 116500LN and 126500LN, each with a black or white dial and black ceramic bezel. If you prefer a model with a stainless steel bezel, check out ref. 116520.

The in-house Rolex calibers 4130 and 4131 used in the above watches ensure precise timekeeping. They are automatic, chronometer-certified, and have a 72-hour power reserve.

Rolex Daytona With Zenith El Primero Caliber

Until the year 2000, Rolex equipped the Daytona with a modified El Primero caliber from Zenith, a movement with a legendary reputation as the first chronograph caliber with integrated automatic winding.

You can recognize the "Zenith Daytona " by the five-digit reference number. An example of a stainless steel model is ref. 16520 with a steel bezel. Alternatively, you can also opt for a yellow gold (ref. 16518) or two-tone steel and gold version (ref. 16523).

Colorful: The Rolex Daytona Rainbow

The Rolex Daytona Rainbow is one of the most striking variants of the Rolex chronograph. The watch is available with a white, yellow or rose gold case and has a bezel set with sapphires in the colors of the rainbow. Colored sapphire crystals also serve as indices. The lugs and crown guard are also set with diamonds.

Because only selected sapphires are used to achieve the perfect color transition, the Daytona Rainbow is produced in very limited quantities, making this colorful timepiece even more coveted by collectors.

Exceptionally Exclusive: The Platinum Rolex Daytona

The platinum Rolex Daytona has an ice-blue dial and maroon bezel, and you can choose between white gold or diamond hour markers.

The current version of the platinum Daytona ref. 126506 launched in 2023 differs from all other Daytona models in one important respect: it's one of the few Rolex watches ever to have a sapphire crystal case back that reveals the finely finished caliber 4131 inside.

The Gold Rolex Daytona

The Daytona is also available in numerous versions with a rose, white, or yellow gold case. The dial selection is quite extensive. Choose from black, champagne, silver, green, or salmon-colored sunburst dials with matching or contrasting subdials. The latter version is referred to as a "panda" dial (dark subdials on a light background) or "reverse panda" dial (light subdials on a dark background).

The white gold Daytona ref. 126529LN presented in 2023 features a very special reverse panda dial. It is a modern version of the famous Exotic Dial that adorned Paul Newman's watches. Rolex discontinued this reference in spring 2024. As the watch was only produced for less than a year, it can be assumed that this rare model will increase in value considerably in the future.

Rolex also offers the Daytona in two-tone versions in steel and gold. A popular model is ref. 116503, which features a stainless steel case and outer bracelet links, while the bezel, crown, pushers, and middle links of the bracelet are made of yellow gold.

Diamond Bezel Rolex Daytona

Since Watches and Wonders 2024, the collection has also included Daytona models in which Rolex has replaced the traditional tachymeter bezel with a diamond-set bezel. You can choose between versions in which the 36 precious stones are trapeze-cut or brilliant-cut. If you choose the former, the lugs and crown guard are also set with diamonds.

The watches themselves are available in red, white, or yellow gold and come on either a three-row Oyster bracelet or a black Oysterflex bracelet. In addition to gold and silver, the dials are available in a variety of mother-of-pearl finishes and the vintage pink shimmer the brand calls "Sundust."

Paul Newman & Co: Sought-After Vintage Daytona

Vintage Daytona watches are highly coveted by collectors, especially the rare models with an exotic dial like the Daytona Paul Newman or John Player Special.

The exotic dial is three-colored, the subdial indices have small boxes at the ends, and the numerals on the subdials are in Art Deco style.

But whether they have an exotic dial or a standard dial, vintage Daytona watches have a few things in common: At 37.5 mm in diameter, they're slightly smaller than their modern 40-mm counterparts. They're also equipped with hand-wound Valjoux calibers.

Popular Daytona Models at a Glance

• Rolex Daytona Rainbow: White, yellow, or rose gold case, bezel decorated with sapphires in the colors of the rainbow, diamond setting
• Rolex Daytona Gold: 18-karat white, yellow, or rose gold case, various dial variants including panda and reverse panda dials
• Rolex Daytona Steel: Most original version of the Rolex Daytona, dials available in black or white, with steel, aluminum, or ceramic bezel
• Rolex Daytona Platinum: Platinum case, ice blue dial, maroon bezel, ref. 126506 with display case back
• Rolex Daytona Zenith: Caliber 4030 based on the Zenith El Primero, available in stainless steel, gold, or two-tone steel and gold
• Rolex Daytona “Paul Newman”: Coveted, extremely rare vintage Daytona with Exotic Dial

Is the Rolex Daytona a good investment?

The Rolex Daytona offers excellent price performance over time. Although prices on the open market have fallen significantly since mid-2022 after a temporary peak, most Daytona models increased in value by an average of 20% to 35% over the three-year period from mid-2020 to mid-2023. Rarer and more sought-after models like the Rainbow and vintage models appreciated by as much as 50% to 90% over the same period.

Why is the Rolex Daytona so expensive?

The Rolex Daytona is one of the most coveted chronographs in existence. Demand far outstrips supply, driving up prices on the open market. However, if you look at the official list prices, the Daytona is only in the mid-range.

What's the wait time for a Rolex Daytona?

The waiting period for a current Rolex Daytona from an authorized dealer ranges from around nine months to five years, depending on the model. Alternatively, you can look on marketplaces such as Chrono24, where most Daytona models are available without a long waiting list. Expect to pay a premium, however.