2016 Rolex Daytona Models (photo: Rolex/Ryu Euiseok)

Baselworld 2016 saw the introduction of the stainless steel Daytona featuring a black Cerachrom bezel and either a black dial or a white dial like the one shown above in the center. The 116500LN is hard to get your hands on, with waiting lists and premiums required at most Authorized Dealers. The contrasting black and white dial and sub-dials harken back to Daytona models of the 1960s and the ceramic bezel is virtually scratch-proof. For those who prefer a combination of steel with gold, Rolex offers the Daytona in two tone configurations, like the one above on the left. You can choose between a white, mother of pearl, yellow gold or black dial with or without diamonds. If white gold is more to your liking, the watchmaker offers a white gold configuration with a blue dial, shown above on the right. It is also available with a silver or black dial, making the white gold configurations the perfect option for someone who wants a sleek configuration that isn't too flashy.

Available with a white, mother of pearl, yellow gold, black or green dial (shown above), the yellow gold Daytona offers the most formal configuration. The green dial combination looks more like a piece of fine jewelry than a tool watch. The monochromatic dial is not as legible as the contrasting dial on the steel configuration, but it makes up for it by offering an exotic and aesthetically pleasing color combination. In addition to white gold and yellow gold, the Cosmograph Daytona is also offered in Everose gold, Rolex's proprietary rose gold alloy cast in their foundry. Below on the left is the Everose gold configuration on a black alligator leather strap that features a black Cerachrom bezel insert and a chocolate dial. The rose gold version also comes on an Oyster bracelet, shown on the right, with dial options that include pink, black and ivory. This is a popular configuration amongst fashionistas like model Rosie Huntington-Whitely.

2016 Rolex Daytona Models (photo: Rolex/Joey Kyber)

To mark the 50th anniversary of the Daytona, Rolex released the platinum configuration shown above in the middle with an ice blue dial and chestnut brown Cerachrom bezel. Known as the 'Platona' by enthusiasts, this configuration combines the most beloved features of the model in cool colors that give this precious metal configuration an aesthetic that is unique and pleasing to the eye. While the price tag of the platinum configuration makes it a grail watch for most, it represents the watchmaker's commitment to offering a variety of Daytona configurations to meet the needs and desires of a diverse group of admirers. Rolex has been tied to the Daytona International Speedway for half a century and their popular chronograph solidifies the lasting relationship between the racing community and the luxury watchmaker. For more information on the Cosmograph Daytona model, visit rolex.com.

The Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most popular Rolex models, with long waiting lists to purchase their 2016 model that debuted at Baselworld 2016. The Daytona was introduced in 1963, just a year after Rolex started their relationship with Daytona International Speedway as official timekeeper.

1962 3 Hour Daytona Continental Race Finish (photo: ISC Archives)

The watchmaker had been involved with racing for years before they began their association with Daytona. Land-speed record breaker Sir Malcolm Campbell was featured in Rolex ads in the 1930s and Rolex had been developing 'Pre-Daytona' chronographs since 1955. The chronographs they manufactured from 1955 to 1961 were met with little fanfare and were discontinued before the development of the first Daytona model, pictured below, in 1963. 

In the early 1970s, actor and race car driver Paul Newman began wearing the Daytona and became inextricably connected with the Rolex model ever since. Daytona models with 'Paul Newman' dials were not extremely popular at the time, but later the Paul Newman became a favorite for collectors due to their rarity and interesting art deco design features. 

The introduction of the tachymetric graduated bezel on this model made it a coveted tool for professional endurance race drivers at the time of its introduction to the market. While the majority of people on the waiting list for the 2016 model can use their smart phones to keep time, the spirit and style of the race watch makes it a coveted timepiece to this day.

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