One of the highlights of the watch world this year was the announcement at Baselworld that Rolex were upgrading the Rolex Daytona. Collectors and enthusiasts has since been crazed for the watch, and this has been heavily reflected in not only the price, but also the exceedingly long waiting list to get one. In short this watch is hot. Although there is some hype around this watch, we analysed what the watch is about and whether it is worth the hot price tag.

The new reference of the stainless-steel Daytona is 116500LN, and it replaces the 116520 predecessor. The 116520 was launched back in 2000, and featured Rolex’s first in-house chronograph reference – caliber 4130. Today, the transformation from old to new feels more of an evolution than a revolution, with both design and technology drawing inspiration from the previous example. The watch remains 40mm and made in Rolex’s proprietary 904L steel.

In 2013, to celebrate the 50 years of the introduction of the very first Cosmograph, Rolex released the platinum Daytona with brown ceramic bezel Reference 116506. Despite the watch being a stunning addition to the range, it did not match the expectation of a want for a new revamp of a steel Daytona.

The company later redeemed itself by releasing this new Daytona. I hear you ask ‘So, what is the new Daytona?’ Well, it’s practically the old Daytona, but with a black ceramic bezel – and it’s also the hottest watch in the world. In essence, it is every bit the same as the 116520 down to the 40mm 904L steel case, the polished centre links, the Superluminova accents, and the caliber 4130 movement. However, the addition of the black Cerachrom bezel and slight dial tweaks have really created a watch which will be a classic for years to come.

The sheer audacity of Rolex to release a new watch,yet not exactly a new watch, yet still be a global hit comes down to the simple power of Rolex and their brand management. It is expert-level management that makes the slightest change in a product – such as, say, a new bezel – seem monumentally important. It is because Rolex produces icons, and the Daytona is arguably THE icon in what is a family of nothing but icons.

The 116500LN comes in the iconic 904L stainless steel casing, and comes with a choice of white/black dial, with the black mono bloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with engraved tachymetric scale. The Daytona comes with scratch resistant sapphire crystal and is waterproof to 100 metres. The Cosmography Daytona is equipped with calibre 4130 – a self-winding mechanical chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured by Rolex, of course. Both examples, white dial and black dial are valued at £9,100.

My personal opinion, I think the watch is great – however, I’m may be a little biased because I am a big fan of the Rolex Daytona. If you’re a fan, then buy and it is as simple as that. However, if you were expecting major changes from the previous Daytona, then you may be out of luck.