This week, we delve into the world of modern Rolex Daytona models.
This chronograph is one of the most talked-about models among collectors and watch enthusiasts. Whether it's the aura of the Daytona, its status as the "elusive" model, or its design - people always have many opinions about this iconic chronograph from The Crown. Despite all the debates, it's hard to deny that the Rolex Daytona is one of the defining models in the watch industry. Moreover, some members of the WatchTested team have gained respect for this watch. That's why we've chosen five favorite Daytona models from the current lineup.
Evolution of Opinions on Modern Rolex Daytona
It's interesting to observe how views change over time. To say that most of us at WatchTested were ardent fans of the Daytona is an understatement. In a community dominated by the Omega Speedmaster, this is not surprising. However, over time, some of us have truly come to appreciate this controversial chronograph from The Crown. Particularly, the current generation of Daytona has introduced several surprising versions that our authors have come to love. I personally am one of those who changed their mind. I wasn't a fan of the Daytona before, but the modern Daytona collection truly impresses. So, we've selected five of the best models from the current lineup.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126518LN-0014
If you regularly read WatchTested, this choice won't surprise you. We recently wrote an extensive love letter to this model with the turquoise dial, and I too have expressed my admiration. It even made it into my personal list of best watches from last year. When Rolex introduced this particular Daytona, I was surprised. The combination of the yellow gold case, black bezel, and turquoise dial seemed excessive. Nevertheless, I was immediately intrigued by this combination of colors and materials.
The watch made a real impression when I tried it on during a visit to the Rolex office in Brussels after Watches and Wonders last year. This model proved that renders often do not convey the full beauty of the watch. What initially seemed bold and daring turned out to be much more refined and detailed than I could imagine. This is not surprising, as every Rolex in real life has a special charm - whether it's a simple stainless steel Oyster Perpetual or a bright yellow gold Daytona.
Level of Detailing Impresses
As soon as I put the watch on my wrist, I was captivated. The combination of colors and materials blends perfectly. A wide smile appeared on my face - and that rarely happens with watches. After the initial impression, I noticed the incredible detailing. The turquoise dial is adorned with gold indices matching the case with white Super-LumiNova and black minute markings around the circumference. The black sub-dials have yellow-gold rings, matching hands, and a concentric texture. The red Daytona inscription is a pleasant detail that seemingly shouldn't work, but it works perfectly. The gold hour and minute hands with black inserts and white Super-LumiNova complement the overall picture.
Another surprise was my love for the combination of the yellow gold case with the black ceramic bezel and black rubber Oysterflex bracelet. I wasn't a fan of such combinations before, especially paired with yellow or Everose gold. But here it reduces the excessive flamboyance of the Daytona, making the watch more versatile. As a result, this model became our favorite. Therefore, it deservedly tops our list of the best modern Daytona.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126505-0005
Did you know I have a soft spot for brown dials? I predicted that brown would become a trend in 2024. Although it didn't happen, last year saw a noticeable increase in brown dials. Rolex is one of the brands that has demonstrated the power of a great brown dial.
After announcing the yellow-gold Daytona with the turquoise dial, the brand quietly added several new gold models. Among them is the full Everose Daytona with a chocolate brown dial and black counters (ref. 126505-0005). The dial color perfectly matches the rose gold, creating a less flamboyant watch compared to yellow gold.
The combination of chocolate brown and black counters might seem odd, as both colors are dark. However, instead of lacking contrast, this combination gives the watch a sophistication that surpasses most other Daytonas. Thanks to its restrained nature, the watch appears smaller on the wrist than yellow-gold models. Remember, the Daytona case has a diameter of 40 mm, a thickness of 11.9 mm, a length of 46 mm, and a lug width of 20 mm. The proportions are perfect, and the relative thinness ensures a comfortable fit.
Best Everose Daytona in the Current Collection
The visual perception of models differs greatly. The Daytona on an Oysterflex bracelet looks much sportier than on a full gold bracelet. The Everose gold version sounds less "flashy" than the yellow-gold one. After the bright turquoise model, this chocolate-brown Daytona became my favorite among last year's novelties. To understand its uniqueness, compare it to the same model but with a black dial. Seeing both, you'll quickly realize that the chocolate-brown Daytona ref. 126505-0005 is truly special.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona "Le Mans" ref. 126528LN
The next model is the yellow-gold Rolex Daytona "Le Mans" ref. 126528LN. This is the second of three special models dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The series began with white gold in 2023, then the yellow-gold version in 2024, and Everose gold in 2025.
Of the three variants, the second impressed us the most. The combination of a yellow-gold case, black ceramic bezel, and black "reverse panda" style dial looks very elegant. Visually, the watch refers to classic hand-wound Rolex Daytonas, which we really like. Pleasant details include the red Daytona inscription and red "100" on the tachymetric scale, emphasizing the special status of the model.
Modern Movement and Vintage Style
Proof of the model's modernity is the Rolex 4132 caliber, visible through the sapphire case back. It slightly differs from the standard 4131 found in the other models on the list. The main difference is the presence of a 24-hour counter instead of the usual 12-hour. The case back also showcases a gold rotor and high-quality movement finishing. Otherwise, the caliber is identical to the 4131: a frequency of 4 Hz and a power reserve of 72 hours.
Although the "Le Mans" case thickness is 12.2 mm and slightly larger than other models, the combination of yellow gold, black ceramic bezel, and "reverse panda" dial looks stunning on the wrist. It is often said that modern Rolexes lose the charm of vintage models. However, the yellow-gold and two-tone GMT-Master II of 2023 and this Daytona "Le Mans" prove that the modern Rolex can still have vintage charm. That's why this out-of-catalog model is one of our favorite modern Daytonas.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126508-0008
The fourth choice is another yellow-gold Daytona. A very popular model from the previous generation was the "John Mayer" ref. 116508. The yellow-gold Daytona with a green dial and white-gold one with blue were underrated, demand for the former increased, and prices soared. While the combination of yellow gold and green looks beautiful, I didn't like the red details on the "John Mayer" Daytona.
Therefore, I was pleased to see the new model ref. 126508-0008 with a green dial and gold sub-dials. Yes, it's bright and flamboyant, but it looks impressive on the wrist. It may not be the first choice for many, but in the lineup, the model stands out. One can explain at length why the combination of green and yellow gold works so well, or why adding gold sub-dials is a brilliant decision for contrast and visual sparkle. Opinions on this matter are divided, and there's no unity within the WatchTested team either.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126502-0001
The last on the list is the Rolesium ref. 126502-0001, presented at Watches and Wonders 2026. This out-of-catalog model combines Oystersteel and platinum, and also received a new enamel dial for the first time. After the presentation, two discussions immediately arose. The first concerned the price - about $56,000 for a Daytona with an Oystersteel case and bracelet and a platinum bezel and case back. Essentially, it's a steel Daytona with platinum accents. The price seems high, but if you have the means and want to stand out, this model is an excellent choice, which is why it's on our list.
New Enamel Dial and Grand Feu Technology
The second, more interesting topic is the new enamel dial. Enthusiasts debated whether this is truly classic grand feu enamel. Rolex does not have a protected status for either the name or the grand feu technique. The main difference is the use of a ceramic base for applying powder enamel instead of a metal one. The technique is the same, but the base is different.
The use of ceramics simplifies the process, as there are no material conflicts inherent in classic grand feu enamel. This increases the predictability of the result and reduces the risk of defects, allowing Rolex to produce more enamel dials at lower costs.
As a result, we get a Daytona with an outstanding white dial that perfectly matches the dark gray ceramic bezel. The red Daytona inscription is the perfect finishing touch. Through the sapphire case back, you can see the 4131 caliber. Like the platinum and "Le Mans" versions, the case back is transparent, allowing you to observe the mechanism in action. Despite the debates about the dial and price, this model made a strong impression on us and became the last choice on our list.
Conclusion: The Best Modern Rolex Daytona Models
There you have it - our five favorite Rolex Daytona models of the current generation. As mentioned, there's always a lot of discussion around the Daytona. In our opinion, these watches undoubtedly rank among The Crown's best offerings.
And now we want to pass the word to you: despite the market noise, are you a fan of the Rolex Daytona? If so, which models from the current lineup do you like the most? Share your opinions in the comments, and see you next week with a new list!