“Rolex” and “luxury” have been used as part and parcel of the same sentences for decades – ever since the Swiss brand first launched its timepieces in 1905. Since its launch, Rolex has established and carved out a niche corner of the industry, which it fills with a plethora of luxurious, high-value, and active watches for all occasions and wearers – always combining style with functionality and demonstrating the value that can be found in material and aesthetic excellence.
The Rolex Daytona is one model that has withstood the test of time and continues to develop and launch new models on a rolling and regular basis – now sitting at the top of the market as one of the most coveted watches in timepiece and wearable accessory history. But this hasn’t always been the case.
History of the Rolex Daytona
When it was first launched in 1963 the Daytona model was originally known as the Rolex Cosmograph – with the name change occurring a year later when Rolex decided to align the watch with the Daytona Speedway in Florida and rebrand the piece as a motorsport accessory.
Ever since, the design and various components of the watch have changed across different models, as Rolex committed to creating a motorsport watch which adapted and changed with its target buyer and with market demand. One important thing to note is that the Rolex Daytona is also recognised as one of Rolex’s Chronograph line of watches – meaning that each Daytona watch can also be used to accurately track time elapsed with its stopwatch function. The Chronograph was first released in 1955 but progress was slow, and the demand was low – meaning that it was only when the designs were changed for the Daytona release that they became coveted and highly sought after.
The particular model that we are reviewing and highlighting in this blog is the 116505 – released in 2008 as one of the most sought-after watches in Daytona’s history. The colour of this Rolex Daytona is rose gold with a black dial, giving it a stylish but warm aesthetic suitable for all occasions. The delicacy of the colour palette combined with the intricate detail makes this one of the rarest pieces in the complete Daytona collection.
In terms of measurements, this watch sits at 40mm in diameter and 12.2mm in depth, with diamond hour markers, luminescent hands, and waterproofing to a depth of 100m.
What makes this Rolex Daytona so unique?
Did you know that Rolex’s rose gold metal is different from any other, and is called Everose? The reason why Rolex produced their own rose gold and gave it this name is because it is exclusively produced to not fade over time, continuing to present its high-quality finish year after year.
In addition, the three smaller dials within the watch face indicate second, minutes, and hours – and link to the idea of this watch being used to accurately monitor time passing through its stopwatch function. These are brought to life by the start and stop buttons at the side of the watch.
Finally, one thing that makes the Rolex Daytona both unique and highly popular with consumers is the fact that this timer function is beneficial for a range of professions – including medical personnel, military individuals, and race car drivers, as well as other athletes.
How are other Daytona models different?
So, what makes the 116505 model different from the other Daytona watches?
The main difference lies in the colour of the 116505 model, which also contributes to the coveted status held by this particular Rolex Daytona. Suitable for all wearers from all walks of life, this watch is as useful as it is intrinsically stylish and boasts the kind of value which will only continue to rise as time goes on.
How expensive is this Rolex Daytona model?
The particular Rolex Daytona 116505 model retails brand new from Rolex for £34,050 – with wait lists sometimes decades long.
On the secondary market, this kind of watch can be purchased for between £50,000 and £60,000 – showing how lucrative these watches can be as investment items.
Celebrities that wear Rolex Daytona watches
The celebrity Rolex following is huge, with many celebrities boasting large collections which include a multitude of different ranges and models.
Some of the Rolex Daytona fans include:
- Victoria Beckham, who owns an Everose watch just like our 116505 model
- Jonah Hill
- Kevin Hart
- John Mayer
- Jay-Z
How to get a Rolex Daytona
Remember that getting a Rolex Daytona isn’t just about securing the watch but about getting regular cleaning and servicing to optimise the lifespan of your watch. While the service should always be conducted by the manufacturer to ensure that the materials are handled effectively and safely, you can find Rolex Daytona watches outside of the Rolex brand and store by sourcing one from a reputable and high-quality secondary seller or marketplace.
As part of the secondary marketplace purchase experience, buyers should take care to only work with companies that offer formal valuations and authenticity certificates as part of the process. Alternatively, you can join the waitlist to get your hands on a brand new Rolex Daytona when new stock becomes available.
Is the Rolex Daytona worth investing in?
Finally, the big question – is a Rolex Daytona worth the investment cost?
The biggest benefit of any Rolex, especially a coveted Daytona model, is that supply is always much lower than demand and so the value will continue to rise as buyers seek the most elusive materials and the high-quality pieces which are part and parcel of the brand’s elaborate history.
Make sure that if you do buy a Rolex Daytona, you receive the formal valuation certificate and authenticity information for future sales or for your own information.
