Rolex
Cosmograph Daytona
116508
Yellow gold Daytona powered by Rolex's in-house Cal. 4130 chronograph movement.
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Overview
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116508 represents the yellow gold expression of Rolex's modern Daytona generation, pairing an 18k yellow gold 40mm case with the manufacture's celebrated Cal. 4130 self-winding chronograph movement. Offered across a range of dial variants — including champagne, black, and the particularly sought-after green — the reference brought considerable visual variety to the yellow gold Daytona lineup. It occupied a prominent position in the Daytona family from 2016 until its eventual replacement in 2023.
History
The Cosmograph Daytona line traces its origins to the early 1960s, when Rolex introduced a purpose-built chronograph intended for motorsport timing. The reference 116508 belongs to the generation that succeeded the earlier 116528, inheriting the landmark Cal. 4130 — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch movement developed entirely in-house and introduced in the early 2000s. Over its production run, Rolex released the 116508 with several distinct dial configurations, with the green dial variant generating particular collector attention. The reference was succeeded by the 126508 as part of Rolex's broader Daytona refresh in 2023.
Notable points
- The 40mm case is crafted entirely in 18k yellow gold, including the integrated Oyster bracelet with its characteristic Oysterclasp.
- Cal. 4130 features a column wheel and vertical clutch, offering improved chronograph engagement and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours.
- Dial options spanning champagne, black, and green allowed meaningful differentiation within a single reference number.
- The green dial variant, echoing Rolex's broader use of green as a signature accent, attracted strong collector interest throughout the reference's production run.
- The 116508 was produced for roughly seven years before being superseded by the updated 126508 generation in 2023.
