Rolex
Cosmograph Daytona
116500LN
The ceramic-bezel Daytona that redefined a legend for the modern era.
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Overview
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116500LN represents a pivotal chapter in the long history of Rolex's iconic chronograph line, introducing a black ceramic bezel to the 40 mm Oystersteel case for the first time. Powered by the in-house Calibre 4130, it offered a significant mechanical advancement over its predecessor, featuring a column-wheel chronograph mechanism and a vertical clutch. Available in both white "Panda" and black dial configurations, the reference quickly became one of the most discussed and sought-after sport watches of its generation.
History
The 116500LN was unveiled at Baselworld 2016, succeeding the long-running reference 116520 and marking the Daytona line's first use of a Cerachrom ceramic bezel in Oystersteel. The adoption of Calibre 4130 — itself introduced in the early 2000s — brought greater reliability and a longer power reserve compared to the ébauche-based movements used in earlier references. The reference remained in production until 2023, when Rolex introduced its successor, cementing the 116500LN's status as a defining Daytona of the 2010s and early 2020s. Throughout its production run, it was consistently noted for the contrast between its ceramic bezel and its tachymetric scale rendered in Rolex's proprietary Cerachrom material.
Notable points
- The black Cerachrom ceramic bezel marked the first time this material appeared on an Oystersteel Daytona, replacing the aluminium insert of the 116520.
- Calibre 4130 features a column-wheel and vertical clutch, delivering precise chronograph engagement and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
- Two principal dial variants were offered: a white 'Panda' dial with black subdials and a black dial with black subdials, the latter sometimes called a 'reverse Panda'.
- The tachymetric scale is integrated directly into the Cerachrom bezel, making it highly resistant to fading, scratching, and the effects of UV exposure.
- Produced from 2016 to 2023, the 116500LN enjoyed one of the longer production runs of any modern Daytona reference, bridging two distinct eras of the line.
