Rolex Daytona Models And Reference Numbers

Rolex Daytona Models

And Reference Numbers

Rolex Daytona is a legendary watch model that has become an icon in the world of luxury watches. This model, which was first introduced in the 1960s, was designed to cater to the needs of professional racing drivers. Over the years, Rolex has introduced many variations of the Daytona, each with its unique features and design elements.

A Brief History Of The Rolex Daytona

The Rolex Daytona has a rich history that spans over five decades. The model was first introduced in 1963 as a chronograph watch designed for professional race car drivers. The name "Daytona" was chosen to pay homage to the famous Daytona International Speedway, which is home to the Rolex 24 endurance race. Initially, the Daytona model was not an immediate success, and many units remained unsold for several years. However, in the late 1960s and early 1970s, the model gained popularity among collectors and enthusiasts, and it became one of the most coveted watches in the world.

Over the years, Rolex has introduced many variations of the Daytona, each with unique design elements and features, such as the addition of a tachymeter bezel and the use of exotic materials like ceramic and meteorite. Today, the Rolex Daytona remains an icon in the world of luxury watches and is highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts alike.

Chronograph
Reference 6234 - 6293

Daytona
Reference 6240 - 6270

Daytona
Reference 16518 - 16523

Daytona
Reference 116505 - 116599

Daytona
Reference 116500LN

Daytona
Reference 126500LN

Pre-Daytona Models

Rolex Chronograph Reference 6234

Estimated Production Period: 1955 - 1961

The Rolex Chronograph Reference 6234 is a vintage timepiece that is considered the forerunner to the Rolex Daytona. It was produced in the mid-1950s and discontinued in 1961. Around 500 of this watch were made making it quite rare.

Rolex Chronograph Reference 6238

Estimated Production Period: 1962 - 1968

The Rolex Chronograph Reference 6238, also known as the "Pre-Daytona," is a vintage timepiece that shares similarities with the Daytona model but has some notable visual differences. It was produced from the late 1950s to the early 1960s and is highly sought-after by collectors.

The First Cosmograph Reference 6239

Estimated Production Period: 1963 - 1970

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, one of the most iconic watches in the world, traces its roots back to the Reference 6239. Released in 1963, the Reference 6239 was the first Cosmograph model that featured the tachometer scale engraved on the metal bezel, a design element that has become synonymous with the Daytona line. Initially referred to as the "Le-Mans," it wasn't until 1965 that Rolex finally adopted the Daytona name for the model.

Complete List Of Models & Reference Numbers

If you're a fan of Rolex Daytona watches, you'll know that the model has been produced in a wide variety of variations over the years. Each iteration comes with its own reference number, which can be quite confusing for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Here, we've compiled a complete list of Rolex Daytona models and reference numbers to help you navigate the vast world of this iconic timepiece.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6240

Estimated Production Period: 1965 - 1969

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6240 is a highly sought-after vintage timepiece that was first introduced in the early 1960s. It is known for being the first waterproof chronograph watch in the Daytona lineup. One of the most notable features of the Reference 6240 is its screw-down pushers, which help to ensure water resistance. This model also features the "Oyster" label on the dial, which is a nod to the watch's waterproof capabilities.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6241

Estimated Production Period: 1965 - 1969

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6264 is one of the rarest and most sought-after vintage timepieces in the Daytona lineup. It is often referred to by collectors as the "Paul Newman" Daytona, as the actor and race car driver frequently wore this reference. One of the most notable features of the Reference 6264 is the "Paul Newman dial," which features an Art Deco-inspired design with square markers and an exotic dial colour combination.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6262

Estimated Production Period: 1970 - 1971

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6262 is a highly sought-after vintage timepiece that is one of the rarest in the Daytona lineup. It was only in production for one year in 1970, making it a highly coveted model among collectors. The Reference 6262 is a transitional model, featuring some design elements from previous models, such as the pump pushers and metal bezel, while also introducing new features like a larger screw-down crown.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6264

Estimated Production Period: 1969-1972

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6241 is a vintage timepiece that is similar in design to the Reference 6240 but with some notable differences. One of the most significant differences is the absence of screw-down pushers, making it less water-resistant than the previous model. Instead, it features pump pushers that are more commonly found on other vintage chronographs. The Reference 6241 also has a slightly different bezel design, featuring a black acrylic insert with a metal tachymeter ring.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6265

Estimated Production Period: 1971 - 1988

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6265 is a vintage timepiece that was introduced in 1971 and is highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts. It features a 37mm stainless steel case and a steel bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale. The Reference 6265 is notable for its "Oyster" label on the dial, which indicates that the watch is water-resistant and features screw-down pushers.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6269

Estimated Production Period: Late 80s - Early 90’s

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6269 is similar in design to the Reference 6265 but is crafted entirely from 18k yellow gold. Like its stainless steel counterpart, the Reference 6269 features a 37mm case size, a steel bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale, and screw-down pushers.

Rolex Daytona Reference 6270

Estimated Production Period: Late 80s - Early 90’s

The Rolex Daytona Reference 6270 is widely considered the most expensive Daytona ever made by Rolex. It was produced in limited quantities during the 1970s and is highly sought-after by collectors for its exceptional rarity and unique design features. The Reference 6270 features an 18k yellow gold case and a "pave" diamond-set dial, with the diamonds arranged in a pattern across the entire dial surface.

Rolex Daytona Reference 16518

Estimated Production Period: 1992 - 2000

The Rolex Daytona Reference 16518 is similar to the Zenith Daytona models but features a leather strap instead of a metal bracelet. This model features a full yellow gold case and is powered by the Calibre 4030, which is a modified version of the Zenith movement. The Reference 16518 is highly prized among collectors and enthusiasts for its luxurious all-gold construction and classic design elements, which have made the Daytona lineup so iconic.

Rolex Daytona Reference 16519

Estimated Production Period: 1992 - 2000

The Rolex Daytona Reference 16519 is also similar to the Zenith Daytona models but is crafted entirely from 18k white gold and fitted with a leather strap. This model is powered by the Calibre 4030, which is a modified version of the Zenith movement.

Rolex Daytona Reference 16520

Estimated Production Period: 1988 - 2000

The Rolex Daytona Reference 16520, also known as the "Zenith Daytona," was released at the end of the 1980s. It is the first generation of automatic Daytona models and is notable for featuring a modified Zenith calibre that was renamed the Calibre 4030 by Rolex.

Rolex Daytona Reference 16523

Estimated Production Period: 1988 - 2000

The Rolex Daytona Reference 16523 is a two-tone version of the Zenith Daytona and was released in the early 1990s. This model features a gold and steel case, which is a hallmark of Rolex's two-tone designs. Like other Zenith Daytona models, the Reference 16523 is powered by the Calibre 4030, which was modified by Rolex to meet their strict standards for quality and accuracy.

Rolex Daytona Reference 16528

Estimated Production Period: 1988 - 2000

The Rolex Daytona Reference 16528 is identical to the Zenith Daytona in terms of design and functionality, with the exception of its all-gold construction. This model features a full yellow gold case and bracelet, making it a luxurious and highly sought-after watch among collectors and enthusiasts. Like other Zenith Daytona models, the Reference 16528 is powered by the Calibre 4030, which was modified by Rolex to meet their high standards for accuracy and performance.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116505

Estimated Production Period: 2008 - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116505 features a full 18k rose gold construction with a matching gold bracelet. This model is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 movement.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116506

Estimated Production Period: 2013 - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116506 is a platinum model with an ice blue dial and a brown Cerachrom (ceramic) bezel, introduced in 2013 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Daytona. Inside the watch beats the Rolex Caliber 4130, an automatic chronograph movement that's entirely designed and manufactured by Rolex. The movement is lauded for its reliability and precision, with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116508

Estimated Production Period: 2016 - Present day (2023)

The 116508 is known for its exquisite pairing of yellow gold with a green dial, a combination that's rather uncommon in Rolex's lineup but has since become highly sought after. This model, like other modern Daytonas, also features a tachymetric scale on the bezel for measuring speed, screw-down pushers for water resistance, and a 40mm Oyster case.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116509

Estimated Production Period: Early 2000s - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116509 features a full-white gold construction with a matching white gold bracelet. This model is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 movement, which ensures exceptional accuracy and performance. The Reference 116509 is highly prized among collectors and enthusiasts for its luxurious design and classic Daytona elements.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116515

Estimated Production Period: 2011 - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116515 is a modern timepiece that was initially released with a black alligator strap. However, the black strap was later discontinued and replaced with the Oysterflex rubber strap, which provides a comfortable fit for the wearer. This model features a 40mm case and is crafted entirely from 18k rose gold, including the fixed bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale. The Reference 116515 is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116518

Estimated Production Period: 2000 - 2016

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116518 is a modern timepiece that features an 18k yellow gold construction. The watch is available with either a leather strap or an Oysterflex rubber strap and ceramic bezel.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116519

Estimated Production Period: 2018 - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116519 is a modern timepiece that is available in various versions. Some recent versions feature a ceramic bezel and an Oysterflex rubber strap, while earlier versions have an 18k white gold bezel and a leather strap. Again, Reference 116519 is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 movement.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116520

Estimated Production Period: 2000 - 2016

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116520 is a modern timepiece that was released in the year 2000 as part of a new generation of Daytona watches. This model features an in-house Rolex calibre, specifically the Calibre 4130, which was a significant achievement for the brand. With the Calibre 4130, Rolex could claim that all of their watches had in-house calibres, which was a major milestone for the company. The Reference 116520 also features a 40mm stainless steel case, a steel bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale, and screw-down pushers.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116523

Estimated Production Period: 2000 - 2016

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116523 is a two-tone version of the Reference 116520 and features a combination of gold and steel in its construction. This model features a 40mm stainless steel case with a gold bezel, as well as a gold and steel bracelet. Like the Reference 116520, the Reference 116523 is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 movement, which is renowned for its accuracy and reliability.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116528

Estimated Production Period: 2000 - 2016

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116528 features an all-gold construction, making it a luxurious and highly coveted addition to any collection. This model boasts a 40mm gold case and bracelet, as well as a gold bezel with an engraved tachymeter scale. It is also powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 movement.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116589

Estimated Production Period: Early 2000s - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116589 is a rare variant of the Reference 116520, with several distinctive features. This watch has an 18k white gold case and diamond-encrusted bezel. It is fitted with a leather strap and is available with various dial options, but is commonly found with diamond indices.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116595

Estimated Production Period: 2018 - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116595, also known as the “Rainbow Daytona”, is a rare and limited modern timepiece that is not officially listed in the Rolex catalogue. It is exclusively reserved for top VIP customers and features a gem-set bezel in various colours that create a rainbow effect, as well as diamond-set lugs.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116599

Estimated Production Period: 2012 - Present Day (2023)

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116599 is a rare and unique version of the Daytona lineup that features an 18k gold construction and is available in a number of different configurations, including diamond or sapphire encrusted models. This model is highly sought-after by collectors and enthusiasts as well as very uncommon due to its rarity and expensive nature.

Rolex Daytona Reference 116500LN

Estimated Production Period: 2016 - 2023

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116500LN is a modern timepiece that was released in 2016 and marked a new generation of stainless steel Daytona watches. This model is the first steel Daytona to feature a ceramic bezel, which is highly resistant to scratches and fading. The Reference 116500LN quickly gained popularity among collectors and enthusiasts for its modern design and exceptional performance. The success of the Reference 116500LN led to the discontinuation of its predecessor, the Reference 116520

The New Rolex Daytona Reference 126500LN

Estimated Production Period: 2023 - Present Day (2023)

Launched this year, 2023, this new reference marks the 60th anniversary of the Rolex Daytona’s release in 1963. This model is equipped with an updated case and bezel, the case size being reduced slightly by 0.5mm to 11.9mm as well as thinner, re-shaped lugs; and the bezel is now edged with a band of the same metal used in the middle case, making it more shock resistant. Overall, the new steel reference is covered in a variety of subtle changes that allow for a sleek and stunning design.

Conclusion

So there we have it, that’s a list of all the main, core Rolex Daytona references to date. You may find subtle differences between the aforementioned models throughout their production history. Even with the very early reference numbers, many of these models were offered with subtle differences to dials. This trend continues with new models, where Rolex offers the same reference with different dial options.

If you are interested in buying a Rolex Daytona, browse our selection of pre-owned, unworn, and vintage Daytona watches, from vintage models to the latest references.

November 2, 2023 | View: 3092