Description
The Daytona traces to 1963, when Rolex conceived it as a professional racing chronograph named for the Florida circuit synonymous with high-speed endurance competition. Reference 116506 occupies landmark status as the first-ever platinum Daytona — introduced at Baselworld 2013 to mark the model’s 50th anniversary, acknowledging that the reference had transcended its tool watch origins to become a luxury object worthy of Rolex’s most prestigious material. This baguette diamond configuration adds an additional layer of exclusivity through factory-set baguette-cut diamond hour markers on the signature ice blue dial — a color reserved exclusively for Rolex’s platinum productions and functioning as an instantly recognizable identifier of the material from across a room.
The 40mm case in 950 platinum features a distinctive chestnut brown Cerachrom ceramic bezel with engraved tachymetric scale — a warm contrast against the cool platinum case — paired with Triplock screw-down crown and pushers. The ice blue sunburst dial carries baguette-cut diamond hour markers, three tonal ice blue subdials arranged at three, six, and nine, red “Daytona” text above the six o’clock subdial, and blued white gold hands. The in-house automatic Caliber 4130 delivers a 72-hour power reserve and Superlative Chronometer certification, completed by a 950 platinum Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock folding safety clasp.
*This timepiece has factory stickers on the case, clasp and bracelet.
