The Rolex Daytona 116500LN and 126500LN are two generations of the same 40 mm steel chronograph with a black ceramic bezel: the 116500LN ran from 2016 to 2023 on the calibre 4130, and the 126500LN replaced it in 2023 with the calibre 4131, a thin polished steel edge around the ceramic bezel and finer case and dial details, while keeping a solid screw-down caseback (the sapphire display back went to the platinum 126506, not the steel model). Buy the 116500LN if you want the bolder look and a lower entry point; buy the 126500LN if you want the newer movement and a current warranty. Bizak & Co. sources both to order, so nothing here is a stock listing.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are market bands, not quotes. Sources: Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona collection and Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN.
What is the difference between the Daytona 116500LN and 126500LN?
The two watches share a size, a bezel material and a look from arm's length, and differ in the movement and a set of small proportions. The table lists the points Rolex documents or that are measurable on the watch.
| Attribute | 116500LN | 126500LN |
|---|---|---|
| Production | 2016 to 2023 | 2023 to present |
| Case | 40 mm Oystersteel, about 12.2 mm thick | 40 mm Oystersteel, about 11.9 mm thick |
| Movement | Calibre 4130 | Calibre 4131 |
| Escapement | Parachrom hairspring, earlier layout | Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers |
| Power reserve | About 72 hours | About 72 hours |
| Bezel | Black Cerachrom meeting the case directly | Black Cerachrom inside a thin polished steel ring |
| Caseback | Solid | Solid |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
| Bracelet | Oyster, Oysterlock clasp, Easylink 5 mm | Oyster, Oysterlock clasp, Easylink 5 mm |
| Dial options | White (Panda) or black | White (Panda) or black |
What changed inside: calibre 4130 vs 4131?
The 126500LN moved from the calibre 4130 to the calibre 4131, an evolution of the same column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph. Rolex added its Chronergy escapement and Paraflex shock absorbers and simplified the construction, which is meant to improve efficiency and lengthen the interval between services. Power reserve stays at about 72 hours, and both are Superlative Chronometers rated to within a few seconds a day. In daily use you will not feel the difference; it shows up in service history and in how long the watch is expected to run between overhauls.
How do the case, bezel and dial differ?
The 126500LN is a refinement, not a redesign. Its lugs and crown guards are slimmer, so the case reads lighter although the diameter is unchanged. The ceramic bezel sits inside a thin steel ring, giving a fine metal line where the 116500LN shows a plain black band meeting the case. The dial markers and counter rings were also reproportioned, and many collectors find the older dial slightly bolder and the newer one more restrained. From the back the two look the same: both steel references keep a solid screw-down caseback, and a sapphire display back appears only on other Daytonas, such as the platinum 126506.
Which dial should you choose: Panda or black?
Choose white for the high-contrast Panda and black for a monochrome watch that is usually easier to source and cheaper. Both references come in both dials, and Rolex prices them the same at retail, so the extra cost of the white dial in the secondary market is demand for the nickname. See our Rolex Daytona Panda and black dial Rolex Daytona collections for the configurations we can seek. For a closer look at each generation, read our 116500LN guide and 126500LN guide. If you want a colored dial rather than black or white, the turquoise dial on the yellow gold 126518LN is explained in our Rolex Daytona Tiffany blue guide.
How do the prices compare?
The 126500LN generally trades above the 116500LN in the same dial and condition, by a gap that is usually a few thousand dollars rather than a multiple. Both sit well above Rolex's retail price in the secondary market, in roughly the low-to-mid five figures for a full set of the white dial and somewhat less for the black dial. A pre-owned 116500LN is typically the lowest entry into a steel ceramic Daytona. Those bands move, so use the from-prices on the linked listings as a starting point: browse the Rolex Daytona 116500LN collection and the Rolex Daytona 126500LN collection.
Which Daytona should you buy?
Buy the 116500LN when value and look matter most, and the 126500LN when warranty and the latest movement matter most.
- Choose the 116500LN if you prefer the bold dial and the ceramic bezel that meets the case, want to spend less, or are comfortable with a watch that has little or no Rolex warranty left.
- Choose the 126500LN if you want the newer calibre, a current five-year Rolex guarantee and the thinner, more refined case.
- Either way, prefer a full set with a matching card, check the bezel and pushers, and compare dated quotes before committing.
If you are still deciding between steel and precious-metal options, the steel Rolex Daytona page shows the stainless configurations, and the full Rolex Daytona collection covers every reference we can seek.
Frequently asked questions
Is the 126500LN better than the 116500LN?
It is newer rather than strictly better. The 126500LN has the calibre 4131, a slimmer case and a current warranty; the 116500LN keeps the bolder dial and a bezel that meets the case directly, and usually costs less.
Do the 116500LN and 126500LN have the same power reserve?
Yes. Both give about 72 hours of power reserve, so the movement change affects efficiency and servicing rather than how long the watch runs.
Which Daytona is the Panda, the 116500LN or the 126500LN?
Both. The white-dial version of each reference, 116500LN-0001 and 126500LN-0001, carries the black counters collectors call the Panda.
Is the 116500LN still worth buying now that it is discontinued?
For many buyers, yes. It is the same size and spirit as the current watch, it is usually cheaper, and it has a long record on the secondary market. The trade-off is little or no remaining Rolex warranty and the older 4130 movement.
Can Bizak & Co. source either Daytona?
Yes. Bizak & Co. sources both references to order. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit.
Related reading: black dial Rolex Daytona references compared
Get your Daytona sourced
Tell us the reference, dial colour, preferred year range, condition and whether the warranty card is required, plus your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit.
Related reading: Daytona 116500LN guide · Daytona 126500LN guide
0 comments