Pricing Rolex Daytona 116500LN
Published: Oct 30, 2021
Pricing Rolex Daytona 116500LN
In this page we follow closely the pricing of the Rolex Daytona 116500LN in the secondary market.
Sources
For all our sources we collect data for for the sold price anonomously from two of the largest reseller sites. We also collect market data at The Hong Kong Watch Guild Show via a survey recording sold prices for all items.
We don't use average asking data as it's incosistent with the sold price.
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Review
It’s a reasonable assumption to make that a Rolex Daytona watch like the ref 116500LN is possiblyone of the most celebrated timepieces from the world-famous brand’s entire collection. Rolex wasdeveloping reliable chronograph watches before the birth of the popular Daytona, but with multi-year waiting lists and a distinct look styled on the wrist of American actor and director, Paul Newman - the iconic Rolex Daytona is now considered one of the world’s most sought-after and desirable collectables. To avid watch connoisseurs, the design of the Rolex Cosmograph has changed plenty. To those that may not have followed its evolution so closely – not so much. Over the last 57 years, however, the watch has certainly evolved technically, making the ref 116500LN one of the most advanced ever produced.
There is still a lot of mystery and charm around the Rolex Daytona. To acquire one, you either need to have a remarkably good relationship with a stockist, have considerable patience, or have a lot of money to throw at the pre-owned market. Although notoriously difficult to get your hands on, the Rolex Daytona, regardless of which watch you happen to own, is worth a lot of money and has a reputation for growing in value with age.
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref 116500LN is a modern addition to the family that was released in 2016 in two different dial versions. One is a white dial with black-trimmed chronograph sub-counters. The other is a black dial with the reverse effect – white trim around the subs-dials. Both feature the classic Oystersteel case and are powered by a reliable automatic movement. A screw-down crown and push-pieces contribute to an enhanced water-resistant capability, whilst an Oystersteel bracelet completes its very instantly recognisable look. Before we review the design, the performance and the functionality of the Rolex Daytona 116500LN, we will first take a look at the history and the evolution of one of the most famous watch designs in the entire world.
A closer look at the Rolex Daytona 116500LN
Of course, there are yellow gold, platinum, and Everose watches available in the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona range, but as already mentioned, the steel case with ceramic bezel configuration has been a long-awaited collectable. The 116500LN is a 40mm Oystersteel chronograph with a screw-down crown and push-pieces, as well as a Cerachrom bezel and an Oystersteel bracelet. Let’s look at it in a little more detail…
The case:
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN has a very prominent-looking bezel with a highly reflective surface polish and superior scratch-resistance compared to its steel counterpart. The markings on the surface of the bezel, like many other modern variations, feature tick marks that look similar to the ref 16520 and the bezel also features a measurement range of 400 to 60, with individual dots from 400 to 200, then tick marks from 100 to 60. Having the numbers on the bezel follow the curve of the watch in this way gives the chronograph a cleaner and crisper look.
Designed to engage precisely and with a butter-smooth application are the push-pieces and the screw-down crown. Weight is also evenly distributed around the dimensions of the case, allowing it to wear nicely as a compact piece of kit. Of course, the watch foregoes the maxi lugs or any other modifications that could easily have made this Daytona a very different looking watch. A factor that many a Daytona watch fan will be thankful for.
The dial
Over the last 57 years, the dial of the Cosmograph Daytona watch has become more complex. In the dial design of the ref 116500LN - the hour indexes with white gold surrounds are raised, whilst the black outer tracks of the chronograph sub-dials on the white dial variation have concentric stampings. The faceted hands also have both black and white lume inserts. These meticulous details make it particularly difficult for those in the fake industry to reproduce. The white dial with black rings around each of the three chronograph sub-counters is a retro-looking timepiece. The black dial version offers a very clean and sharp look, promising legibility with its luminous details.
The movement
The Rolex Daytona ref 116500LN is powered by the Calibre 4130 - a quality grade movement with a Superlative Chronometer standard that offers an accuracy of ±2 seconds per day. Once compared to a COSC-certified movement, which promises an accuracy of -4/+6 seconds per day, it is clear to appreciate the difference in the technical properties and capability of the Calibre 4130. The movement is firstly certified by COSC by then regulated to the standards of a Superlative Chronometer. It sits behind the dial of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN building up a power reserve of 72 hours. If you wished to take the watch off on a Friday and come back to it after the weekend, the watch will have kept perfect time whilst away from the wrist.
The Calibre 4130 is over 16 years old but is still one of the best of its class, and so as the saying often goes, why fix something that isn’t broke? Enhancing its performance all the more is the fact that Rolex incorporates far few components into the architecture of the Calibre 4130, enabling it to promise enhanced reliability. Within its make-up, the Calibre 4130 features a Parachrom hairspring offering greater resistance to shocks and temperature variations. The self-winding movement also performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and features 44 jewels.
The bracelet
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN is fitted on an Oystersteel bracelet and continues the watch’s theme of high-quality engineering. Rolex watches are made to feel hefty and are solidly built – both of which are unmissable features of the iconic Oystersteel bracelet. The links articulate and move on the wrist very smoothly to allow for enhanced fluidity and comfort. A quick and easy to use adjustment feature enables you to enlarge or subtract the length of the bracelet in subtle 5mm increments. This Easylink5mm extension link is a handy feature that enables the watch to compensate in size for the natural expansion and contraction of the wrist during fluctuations in temperature and humidity without the need for any tools. The three-piece Oystersteel links of the bracelet are a mix of brushed and polished finishes, The outer links are brushed, whilst the central links are highly polished for a refined finish against the skin.
Overall, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN is a solidly built, reliable and beautifully engineered chronograph that continues the legacy of one of the world’s most sought-after designs. The highly resilient watch promises superior accuracy and not only constitutes a statement piece for the wrist but a chronograph that is equally as functional as it is stylish.
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