Short answer: Rolex unveils most new watches at one launch a year: at Baselworld until 2019, on 1 September in 2020, when there was no fair, and at Watches and Wonders each spring since 2021, with a second 2026 launch on 15 September. The 2023 Rolex Daytona is the new generation launched for the model's 60th anniversary, led by the steel 126500LN with calibre 4131 and a Cerachrom bezel edged in steel. Rolex lists it at $16,900. On October 19, 2026 Bizak asked from $33,990 for a new 126500LN, and from $22,319 for a pre-owned 116500LN, the 2016 ceramic Daytona it replaced.
Last reviewed on October 19, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Launch facts come from Rolex (rolex.com and the Rolex Newsroom) and launch-day coverage; US list prices are from Rolex's 2026 US catalogue; Bizak prices are that day's asking prices, not quotes. Bizak & Co. is independent and not affiliated with Rolex.
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The 2023 Rolex Daytona: what changed
In March 2023 Rolex renewed the whole Cosmograph Daytona family for its 60th year. The steel model became the 126500LN: still 40 mm, waterproof to 100 m and on an Oyster bracelet, with a white or black dial.
- Calibre 4131. The first new Daytona movement since the in-house 4130 of 2000, with the Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, a cut-out oscillating weight, Rolex Côtes de Genève bridges and about 72 hours of power reserve.
- A metal-edged bezel. The black Cerachrom bezel is framed by a thin band of the case metal: steel on the 126500LN.
- A redesigned case and dial, with new contrast between the dial and its counters.
- A display back in platinum. The 950 platinum 126506 shows its 18 kt yellow gold oscillating weight through a transparent case back.
In June 2023 Rolex added the 126529LN for the centenary of the 24 Hours of Le Mans: white gold, a black dial with white counters, a red 100 on the bezel and calibre 4132, which counts chronograph hours to 24 instead of 12.
For a white-dial 126500LN, Bizak asked from $34,999 pre-owned and $39,600 new; an unworn 116500LN started at $30,309.
New Rolex releases by year
2016: Baselworld
The steel Daytona gained a black Cerachrom bezel as the 116500LN, with a white or black dial and calibre 4130; it was made until 2023. Rolex also redesigned the Air-King as the 40 mm 116900 and launched the Datejust 41 in yellow and Everose Rolesor (126333, 126331) on the new calibre 3235.
2017: Baselworld
Fifty years after the first Sea-Dweller, the 126600 grew to 43 mm, with a Cyclops lens over the date and calibre 3235. The Datejust 41 came in steel (126300) and white Rolesor (126334), and gold Daytonas became available on the Oysterflex bracelet.
2018: Baselworld
The GMT-Master II moved to calibre 3285: a steel 126710BLRO with a red and blue bezel on a Jubilee bracelet, and brown and black bezels on the Everose Rolesor 126711CHNR and Everose gold 126715CHNR. The Deepsea became the 126660, on calibre 3235.
2019: Baselworld, its last edition
The blue and black GMT-Master II became the 126710BLNR, on calibre 3285 and a Jubilee bracelet. The Sea-Dweller came in yellow Rolesor (126603) for the first time, the Yacht-Master 42 in white gold (226659), and ombré dials returned to the catalogue.
2020: 1 September, no fair
The Submariner moved to a 41 mm case with calibres 3230 (the no-date 124060) and 3235 (the Submariner Date 126610LN, green-bezel 126610LV, Rolesor and gold versions). The Oyster Perpetual was revamped with colourful dials and a new 41 mm model, the 124300.
2021: Watches and Wonders, online
The Explorer went back to 36 mm (124270, plus the yellow Rolesor 124273), and the Explorer II marked its 50th year with the 42 mm 226570 on calibre 3285.
2022: Watches and Wonders Geneva
The GMT-Master II 126720VTNR paired a green and black bezel with the crown on the left and the date at 9 o'clock. The Air-King 126900 gained crown guards and calibre 3230, and in November the Deepsea Challenge 126067 arrived in RLX titanium, 50 mm and waterproof to 11,000 m.
2023: Watches and Wonders Geneva
Beside the new Daytona came the Perpetual 1908, a 39 mm gold dress watch on calibre 7140 (52508 in yellow gold, 52509 in white gold); the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium (226627); the Explorer 40 (224270); and a grey and black GMT-Master II bezel on the yellow Rolesor 126713GRNR.
2024: Watches and Wonders Geneva
The grey and black bezel came to steel (126710GRNR, on an Oyster or Jubilee bracelet). The Deepsea was made in 18 ct yellow gold for the first time (136668LB, with a blue dial and bezel), and two white gold Daytonas got mother-of-pearl dials and diamond bezels (126579RBR, 126589RBR).
2025: Watches and Wonders Geneva
The big launch was an entirely new model, the Land-Dweller: 36 or 40 mm, an integrated Flat Jubilee bracelet and calibre 7135, which beats at 5 Hz with the new Dynapulse escapement (127334 in white Rolesor). Rolex also fitted its first ceramic dial, in green, to the white gold GMT-Master II 126729VTNR, and added lavender, beige and pistachio Oyster Perpetual dials.
2026: Watches and Wonders and 15 September
For 100 years of the Oyster, the Oyster Perpetual 41 came in yellow Rolesor (134303) with '100 years' on the dial, alongside a Jubilee-motif Oyster Perpetual 36, a green ombré Datejust 41 and a new-generation Yacht-Master II (126680 in steel, 126688 in yellow gold) on calibre 4162. On 15 September Rolex added the Perpetual Padellone, an instantaneous annual calendar with moonphase; a Day-Date 40 in 18 ct Jubilee Gold, a new alloy; and the first Rolesium Daytona, the steel and platinum 126502 with a white enamelled dial.
What they cost now
Rolex's US list for current models against Bizak's lowest ask on October 19, 2026.
| Launched | Model | Rolex US list | Bizak ask from |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Daytona 116500LN | Replaced 2023 | $22,319 pre-owned |
| 2016 | Air-King 116900 | Replaced 2022 | $8,640 pre-owned |
| 2017 | Sea-Dweller 126600 | $14,550 | $13,580 pre-owned |
| 2018 | GMT-Master II 126710BLRO | Not in the 2026 catalogue | $25,066 pre-owned |
| 2019 | GMT-Master II 126710BLNR | $11,800 | $18,562 pre-owned |
| 2019 | Yacht-Master 42 226659 | $40,000 | $30,999 pre-owned |
| 2020 | Submariner Date 126610LN | $11,350 | $15,785 new |
| 2021 | Explorer II 226570 | $10,600 | $11,968 pre-owned |
| 2022 | GMT-Master II 126720VTNR | $12,300 | $17,850 pre-owned |
| 2023 | Daytona 126500LN | $16,900 | $33,990 new |
| 2023 | 1908 52509, white gold | $30,300 | $27,120 new |
| 2024 | GMT-Master II 126710GRNR | $11,800 | $21,083 pre-owned |
| 2024 | Deepsea 136668LB | $68,100 | $60,089 pre-owned |
| 2025 | Land-Dweller 40 127334 | $16,450 | $26,087 new |
| 2025 | GMT-Master II 126729VTNR | $54,700 | $44,815 pre-owned |
| 2026 | Oyster Perpetual 41 134303 | $9,650 | $17,249 new |
| 2026 | Yacht-Master II 126680 | $20,300 | $26,918 new |
| 2026 | Daytona 126502, Rolesium | Not priced on rolex.com | $99,999 new |
Pre-owned, the gold Yacht-Master 42, Deepsea 136668LB and GMT-Master II 126729VTNR were asked below list, as was a new 1908 52509; the steel 126500LN was asked at about twice its list price.
Quick answers
What is new on the 2023 Rolex Daytona?
A new movement, calibre 4131, with about 72 hours of power reserve; a Cerachrom bezel edged in the metal of the case; and a redesigned case and dial. The platinum version gained a transparent case back. The steel reference is 126500LN.
How much is the 2023 Rolex Daytona?
Rolex lists the steel 126500LN at $16,900 in the US. On October 19, 2026 Bizak asked from $33,990 for a new one with a black dial and from $34,999 pre-owned with the white dial.
How can you tell a 2023 Daytona from the 116500LN?
Look at the bezel: on the 126500LN the black ceramic sits inside a thin steel band, while on the 116500LN it meets the case directly. The reference on the warranty card settles it.
When does Rolex release new watches?
Mostly at one launch a year: Baselworld until 2019, 1 September in 2020, and Watches and Wonders each spring since 2021. Exceptions include the Deepsea Challenge (November 2022), the Le Mans Daytona (June 2023) and the 15 September 2026 models.
What did Rolex release at Baselworld 2016?
The steel Daytona 116500LN with a black Cerachrom bezel, the 40 mm Air-King 116900 and the Datejust 41 in yellow and Everose Rolesor with calibre 3235.
What were the new Rolex models in 2023?
The new-generation Cosmograph Daytona with calibre 4131, the Perpetual 1908, the Yacht-Master 42 in RLX titanium, the Explorer 40, a grey and black GMT-Master II bezel and, in June, the Le Mans Daytona 126529LN.
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Related reading: Daytona 126500LN guide · Daytona 116500LN guide · Daytona prices by reference · GMT-Master II colours · Explorer vs Explorer II
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