Rolex has released new references of the Cosmograph Daytona with meteorite dials, in each colour of gold as well as the option of a bracelet or silicon Oysterflex strap. The versions on Oysterflex are matched with a black ceramic bezel, while the bracelet models featured gold bezels.

Initial Thoughts

Meteorite dials on Rolex watches are not new – the meteorite dial with Roman numerals made its debut on the Daytona almost two decades ago –  and the current lineup includes features both the Day-Date and GMT-Master II with meteorite dials.

The meteorite dials will be available in all three colours of gold (from left): Everose, white, and yellow gold

The new arrivals are essentially a modest facelift – they share the same case, bezel, and mechanics as current gold Daytona – albeit one that is very well done. They are certainly eye-catching, especially combined with high-contrast black registers (the first-generation meteorite dials had matching meteorite registers).

The new look is fairly priced. Depending on the case metal and choice of bracelet, expect to pay a premium of 10-15% over a standard gold Daytona model.

Exotic dials

Made of a slice of iron meteorite, the dial is first etched with acid to highlight the Widmanstätten pattern, the streaky motif created by the crystalline structure of the material, and then polished. But it still retains a slightly textured surface, unlike the perfectly smooth lacquered finished of most Daytona dials.

As is conventional for Rolex, the applied hour markers, Rolex coronet, chronograph register borders, and hands are made of gold in the same colour as the case.

Aside from the exotic dial material, the new models are identical of the rest of the Daytona family. That means a 40mm case, screw-down crown and pushers, and a tachymeter bezel.

Notably, the bezel material depends on the bracelet – Cerachrom, or black ceramic, for the models on the silicon Oysterflex band, and gold to go with the gold bracelet.

In-house engine

The movement in the new Daytona models remains the same, the cal. 4130 (we took an in-depth look at the calibre a few weeks ago). It is an impressive, in-house automatic chronograph movement with 72 hours of power reserve, a vertical clutch, and column wheel.

The balance is made of Rolex’s proprietary blue Parachrom, a niobium and zirconium alloy that endows the balance with paramagnetic properties. Also, the movement is rated to keep time to -2/+2 seconds per day – know as the Superlative Chronometer standard – as all current Rolex watches are.

Key facts and price

Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona
Ref. 116519LN-0038 (white gold on Oysterflex bracelet)
Ref. 116508-0015 (yellow gold)
Ref. 116505-0014 (Everose gold)

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: Unavailable
Material: White gold, yellow gold, Everose gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 100m

Movement: Cal. 4130
Functions: Hours, minutes, and seconds, chronograph
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 72 hours

Strap: Oysterflex strap with folding clasp or matching metal Oyster bracelet, both with EasyLink extension

Availability: From May 2021
Price:
Yellow gold on Oysterflex – US$32,850; or 44,140 Singapore dollars
Yellow gold on Oyster bracelet US$41,000; or 55,150 Singapore dollars

White gold on Oysterflex – US$34,050; or 45,840 Singapore dollars
white gold on Oyster bracelet US$43,700; or 58,810 Singapore dollars

Everose gold on Oysterflex – US$34,050; or 45,840 Singapore dollars
Everose gold on Oyster bracelet US$43,700; or 58,810 Singapore dollars

For more, visit Rolex.com.