Even if you are not familiar with watches, you should have seen the image of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN mentioned on social media. The Rolex 116500LN made its debut in 2016. In these few years it has become one of the most sought after watches in the world. Waiting lists at authorized Rolex retailers are year-long and still growing. It is almost impossible to get this watch at retail price unless you are super lucky. Following its predecessor Rolex 116520, Rolex Daytona 116500 model has succeeded the title of best steel luxury sports watch.
Rolex Daytona 116500LN actually shares many similarities with the old steel Daytona 116520, but in an upgraded version. Let’s see how amazing this one of the hottest Rolex watches is.
History of Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
When you first put on a Rolex Daytona watch, you are also putting on Rolex’s cultural baggage, including knowledge of its achievements, and of its huge distribution to watchmaking history. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona was introduced in 1963. It was designed to especially meet the needs of professional racing drivers. Its reliable chronograph and bezel with tachymetric scale allow motor racing drivers to measure their average speeds accurately. An icon eternally joined in name and function to the high performance world of motor sport.
The Rolex Daytona chronographs joined in and performed exceptionally well in the world of motor sport. Especially after it was spotted with the famous actor Paul Newman. It had become an important category of Rolex watches to have in its portfolio. After the launch of the Rolex 6239, the Daytona Rolex watch enjoyed over 50 years of popularity. It has undergone tremendous technical enhancements and some of the most popular models have been replaced with more advanced versions.
At that time, the Cosmograph Daytona was usually available in the luxurious metals, including Everose gold, yellow gold, and platinum, while the only steel Daytona 116520 was almost impossible to get. The market was hungering for the birth of 116500LN. The Rolex Daytona 116500LN price has skyrocketed due to its rarity.
The Introduction of Rolex 116500LN
For many Rolex lovers, the launch of Rolex Daytona 116500LN filled a void that had been missing in the Rolex family when all other Rolex sporty collections in steel had ceramic bezels except for the Daytona.
Launch of Rolex 116500LN
The Rolex Daytona 116500LN was launched in 2016 Baselworld and created a huge hit in the market. The Rolex lovers have been waiting for the first steel Daytona with black ceramic bezel since the 2013 50th anniversary of the Cosmograph Daytona.
The 116500LN Rolex watch is more of an evolution rather than a revolution in both design and technology we can find in its other Daytana family members. As it was introduced to replace 116520 which was discontinued right after its launch, there are a bunch of discussions about the comparison of both 2 steel Daytona watches.
Feature Upgrades of Rolex Daytona 116500LN
Regarding the overall design, the new Daytona 116500 and its predecessor Daytona 116520 share plenty of traits.Indeed, as you should also know, 116500LN is an updated version of 116200. You will find some upgrades on the new steel Daytona 116500LN.
Design of Rolex Daytona 116500LNFirst, Rolex Daytona 116500 is a steel Daytona model crafted in Rolex exclusive 904L Oystersteel, which offers both incredible resistance to corrosion and a beautiful finish.
The watch sports a 40mm Oystersteel case with Rolex patented screw-down chrono pushers and winding crown. It is equipped with the Rolex iconic sporty Oystersteel bracelet with the flat three-piece link design. The Daytonas are smaller than other Rolex sporty models like the Rolex Submariner. They have been recognised as well-fitting ones among Rolex watches.
What mainly makes the Rolex Daytona 116500LN distinctive from the Daytona 116520 is the bezel. The steel bezel with a tachymeter scale was replaced with Cerachrom bezel for 116500LN. The black bezel has had Rolex fans beside themselves with excitement. Cerachrom is Rolex’s patented ceramic with a layer of gold or platinum coat to fill the engraved markings on the bezel. The ceramic bezel of 116500LN is highly resistant to scratching and fading. The watch can retain its perfect looks for years.
As for the dials, just like its predecessor Daytona 116520, the Daytona 116500LN comes with 2 variations, either a black or a white dial complementing the black bezel. The dials have the familiar 3/6/9 layout of three subdials.
The central sweep seconds hand of the Daytona watch allows an accurate reading of 1/8 second. The two counters on the dial show the elapsed time in hours and minutes. The time is displayed centrally, and the running seconds are displayed on the sub-dial above six o’clock.
The dial also has the red-coloured signature DAYTONA label which sits above the minute timer. Yet the new dials have larger contrasting rims on the sub-dials, giving them this little ‘panda’ edge.
Movement of Rolex Daytona 116500LNFollowing its preceding model Daytona 116520, the Rolex Daytona 116500LN houses Rolex in-house caliber 4130 automatic chronograph movement. It is a certified chronometer like other Rolex Perpetual movements.
In July 2015, Rolex redefined their Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified label that their watches would have a better accuracy rating of 2/+2 seconds per day. The 4130 movement was certified first by the COSC and then regulated to the Superlative Chronometer standard. On 116500LN, the updated caliber is housed with a Paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring and accuracy rating of ±2 seconds a day, while the COSC standard is -4/+6.
Wrap Up
With all the fantasy and history that have accreted over the watch, it’s almost impossible to see Daytona 116500LN simply as a watch. Like some iconic models of Rolex watches, it is very likely to hold its value over the years. If you are lucky to get it, you can take a lot of pleasure in aspects of the Daytona.
As we all know, buying a luxury watch is all about personal taste that has nothing to do only with the qualities as a watch. Whether you decide to opt for the new steel Daytona 116500LN or any other Rolex watch such as the old steel Daytona 116520, you can never go wrong with the Rolex chronographs.
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