Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500 - Full Set

The Rolex Daytona model, since its initial release, has been at the forefront of the market as the most desirable chronograph in production. Prior to the introduction of the automatic-winding Daytonas in 1988, all previous Rolex chronographs had been manually-wound. Rolex decided to outsource their movement for the first of the 5-digit references (16xxx), looking for the best movement available, and settled on the legendary Zenith El Primero. They used this movement as the base, and then fortified it, performing approximately 200 modifications to meet the expectations prestigious of the Wilsdorf group. This created the workhorse Rolex 4030 movement that was put in production for an era of 12 years. It was also at this time that Rolex incorporated more resilient sapphire crystals — which contributed to an increased depth rating of 100m,a larger case diameter coming in at 40mm, and a more robust, updated Oyster bracelet design.

Eventually, the so-called 'Zenith Daytona' was replaced with the first of the '6-digit' references in 2000, now utilizing the fully 'in-house' Calibre 4130 automatic-winding chronograph movement, an updated design-language on the dial, and another bracelet update. Then, in 2016 we got the second generation of steel 6-digit references, the Ref. 116500. These introduced yet another dial update with two color options: black with silver subsidiary register rings, or white with black subsidiary register rings — both of which feature "Daytona" printed in red text above the 6 o'clock register, another update to Rolex's Oyster bracelet and clasp to meet the standards of the other models in the Professional lineup, and most notably, the introduction of ceramic bezels. Naturally, these were met with some controversy.

Of course, any negativity would have been purely subjective and it didn't take long for for some of the negativity to fade after enthusiasts began getting hands-on time and wearing these for awhile. The long requested bracelet updates and the thoroughly modern and fresh look was eventually praised by many, which largely continues on to this day, though now discontinued as of 2023.

The piece that we have here is the black dial variant of the Ref. 116500. This example has been professionally refurbished, with an immaculate case, bracelet, and by design, the black ceramic bezel remains in flawless condition. The dial within features that lovely pop of red in the form of the "Daytona" text just above the 6 o'clock register and its white gold indices utilize Rolex's proprietary blue-glowing 'Chromalight' lume within.

Last but not least, this piece comes fitted to its correct updated Oyster bracelet, which we simply cannot stress enough how incredibly handy and functional Rolex's Easylink system is. Built into the fliplock clasp, a 5mm extension can be effortlessly deployed for when it gets warmer out and your wrist expands.

This piece is also accompanies by all of its goodies. 

These 'Ceramic Daytonas' have become immensely desirable in the years following their launch and it doesn't take spending too much time with them to understand why.