2005 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

The Cosmograph Daytona is the watch a generation of collectors joins a waitlist to own. This is the Ref. 116523 — Rolesor, the pairing of Oystersteel and 18ct yellow gold — finished with the clean white dial and gold-rimmed counters that make it the warmest and most wearable Daytona of its era. Beneath it runs the Calibre 4130, the in-house automatic chronograph Rolex introduced in 2000 to replace its bought-in movements: fewer components, a column-wheel architecture and a 72-hour power reserve. Engraved 18ct gold tachymetric bezel, screw-down chronograph pushers, 100 metres of water resistance, on the two-tone Oyster bracelet. The 116523 was discontinued in 2016, succeeded by the updated 116503 — which is exactly why a clean, full-set 2005 example like this is the one collectors return to. Supplied with original Rolex box and papers, in excellent condition.