The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN is the current steel Daytona: a 40 mm Oystersteel chronograph with a black Cerachrom tachymeter bezel, the calibre 4131 with 72 hours of power reserve, and a choice of white or black dial. Launched at Watches and Wonders 2023 for the model's 60th anniversary, it replaced the 116500LN and is the most requested steel Rolex at authorised dealers. This guide covers the specifications, what changed from the 116500LN, the white "Panda" versus black dial decision, retail and dealer prices in 2026, and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the 126500LN to order; the Daytona collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 19, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Rolex Daytona 126500LN specifications
| Attribute | 126500LN |
|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm Oystersteel, about 11.9 mm thick, roughly 46.5 mm lug to lug, 20 mm lug width; screw-down pushers and Triplock crown |
| Bezel | Black Cerachrom ceramic with moulded tachymeter scale to 400 units, set in a thin polished steel ring |
| Movement | Calibre 4131, automatic chronograph, column wheel and vertical clutch, Chronergy escapement, 72 hours power reserve, Superlative Chronometer to plus or minus 2 seconds a day |
| Dial | White with black counters ("Panda") or black with steel-ringed counters; Chromalight markers and hands |
| Crystal | Sapphire, no Cyclops |
| Bracelet | Oyster three-piece links, Oysterlock safety clasp, Easylink 5 mm extension |
| Water resistance | 100 m (330 ft) |
| Predecessor | 116500LN (2016 to 2023), calibre 4130 |
Source: Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona 126500LN; the Cosmograph Daytona collection page lists every current reference.
126500LN vs 116500LN: what changed in 2023?
- Movement. Calibre 4131 replaced the 4130: Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, a redesigned rotor on ball bearings and a longer service interval. Power reserve stays at 72 hours.
- Bezel. The Cerachrom insert now sits inside a slim polished steel ring, so the bezel reads as a fine metal line rather than a black band meeting the case.
- Case. Slimmer lugs and crown guards; the case looks lighter although the diameter is unchanged.
- Dial. Counter rings were resized and the counters sit slightly differently; the black dial has steel-ringed counters, the white dial black ones.
The 116500LN is the value route: the same size, the same look at arm's length, the earlier 4130 movement and no current warranty. Our 116500LN guide covers it separately.
White Panda or black dial?
| White dial (126500LN-0001) | Black dial (126500LN-0002) | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | High contrast, the "Panda" that most buyers picture | Monochrome, closer to the 1960s originals |
| Legibility | Best in daylight | Better at night; Chromalight reads more evenly |
| Retail, 2026 | US$16,900 | US$16,900 |
| Secondary premium | Higher; the white dial is the more requested | Lower; easier to source |
Both dials cost the same at retail, so the premium on the white dial is purely demand. If you want the watch rather than the nickname, the black dial is usually a few thousand dollars cheaper on the secondary market and just as much a Daytona.
How does the Daytona 126500LN wear?
At 40 mm and under 12 mm thick, with a lug-to-lug of about 46.5 mm, the Daytona is one of the easiest steel Rolex sports watches to wear. It sits flatter than a Submariner and fits under a shirt cuff. The Oyster bracelet has the Easylink 5 mm extension rather than the Glidelock, which is enough for a hot day. Wrists from about 15.5 cm (6.1 inches) upward carry it well; below that the 36 mm Explorer or a Datejust 36 is the better fit.
How much is a Rolex Daytona 126500LN? Retail and dealer prices in 2026
- Retail. Rolex's US list price was US$16,900 for both dial colours on 12 September 2026. Steel Daytonas are allocated to long-standing authorised-dealer clients; a walk-in customer should expect years, not months.
- Secondary market. In 2025 and 2026, unworn full-set 126500LN examples have generally been asked in the mid-to-high US$20,000s for the black dial and higher for the white, with pre-owned full sets a few thousand below.
- Bizak catalogue asks. On 12 September 2026 our sourced catalogue listed the white dial at US$31,619 and the black dial at US$27,899, both brand new and sourced to order.
Those figures describe what we saw and will move. Ask for a dated quote for the exact dial, year and card; our Rolex price guide explains how to compare quotes, and buying a Daytona from a grey dealer explains what the premium buys.
Is the Daytona 126500LN a good investment?
The steel Daytona has held the largest premium over retail of any current Rolex for a decade, and the 126500LN continues that. The premium fell from its 2022 peak and has been broadly stable since 2024. Buying at a dealer premium and expecting a further rise is speculation; buying because you want the watch and expecting to recover most of what you paid is reasonable. The white dial is the more liquid of the two. If resale matters, ask for a written cash-buy assessment before you commit.
Buying a used 126500LN: what to check
- Warranty card. Card serial and rehaut engraving should match; Rolex does not reissue cards. Watches from 2023 onward carry a five-year warranty.
- Bezel. The Cerachrom insert should be chip-free and the steel ring unmarked; the ring scratches more readily than the ceramic.
- Pushers. Both should screw down fully and the chronograph should start, stop and reset to zero with the seconds hand exactly on 12.
- Case. Sharp lug chamfers and even brushing; rounded edges mean polishing.
- Dial and hands. A 126500LN reads "Cosmograph" above the six o'clock counter, and the counter rings match the dial colour rules above; a mismatch means swapped parts.
- Price against the band. A full-set 126500LN offered well under the market is the single most reliable warning sign.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.
Quick answers
How much is a Rolex Daytona 126500LN?
US$16,900 at US retail on 12 September 2026 for either dial. Dealer asks in 2026 have run well above that; our catalogue showed US$27,899 for black and US$31,619 for white on the same date.
What is the difference between the 126500LN and 116500LN?
The 126500LN has the calibre 4131, a Cerachrom bezel set in a steel ring and slimmer lugs; the 116500LN has the calibre 4130 and a bezel that meets the case directly. Size and water resistance are the same.
Is the 126500LN a Panda?
The white-dial 126500LN-0001 is the watch collectors call the Panda. The black-dial version is the same reference with the other dial.
What movement is in the Daytona 126500LN?
Calibre 4131, an automatic column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, Chronergy escapement and 72 hours of power reserve.
Is the steel Daytona still hard to get?
Yes. It remains allocated to established authorised-dealer clients, which is why the secondary premium persists.
Request a Daytona 126500LN sourcing quote
Tell us the 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, card and final price before you commit. Catalogue entries: 126500LN white dial, 126500LN black dial; browse the Daytona collection or sell or trade your Daytona.
Related reading: Daytona 116500LN guide · Rolex Daytona for women · Rolex waitlist explained · Rolex nicknames explained.
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