Short answer: a Rolex Daytona on a leather strap is a gold Cosmograph made before 2017, when Rolex swapped the leather option for the Oysterflex. The references that shipped that way are the yellow gold 116518, the white gold 116519, the Everose 116515LN and the gem-set 116589, 116598 and 116599. All are 40 mm, and on leather they are usually the lowest-cost route into a solid gold Daytona.
Reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Bizak & Co. is an independent sourcing desk, not an authorised Rolex retailer. Every watch is sourced to order, so nothing mentioned here is held in stock.
What is a Rolex Daytona on a leather strap?
It is a gold Cosmograph Daytona fitted at the factory with a leather strap and a gold folding clasp instead of a metal bracelet. Rolex fitted leather to its gold Daytonas from the first automatic generation in 1988 (the Zenith-based calibre 4030, for example the yellow gold 16518 and the white gold 16519) through the calibre 4130 era, which began in 2000, until the Oysterflex took over the gold line in 2017. The look is dressier than the sports-watch image of the steel Daytona: warm brown or black leather against a yellow, white or Everose gold case. Because the leather line stopped in 2017, every example you find today is pre-owned or an older new-old-stock piece, which is why it is a sourcing job rather than a catalogue order.
Which Daytona references came on leather?
The gold references from the 1165xx family, plus the Zenith-era 16518, 16519 and gem-set 165xx references (1988 to 2000). The final digit of the reference tells you the metal: 8 is yellow gold, 9 is white gold and 5 is Everose.
| Reference | Metal and bezel | Years and calibre | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 116518 | 18 ct yellow gold, gold bezel with tachymetric scale | From 2000, calibre 4130 | The classic leather-strap Daytona; many dial options |
| 116519 | 18 ct white gold, white gold bezel | From 2000, calibre 4130 | Often seen with special dials such as meteorite |
| 116515LN | 18 ct Everose gold, black Cerachrom bezel | Leather until 2017, calibre 4130 | Moved to Oysterflex in 2017 |
| 116589, 116598, 116599 | Gold with diamond, sapphire or ruby set bezels | 1165xx, calibre 4130 | Gem-set; 116599 and 116589 are typical |
| 165xx (for example 16599) | Gold, many gem-set | 1988 to 2000, calibre 4030 | The earlier automatic generation |
One caution on the 2017 changeover: the 116518LN and 116519LN with a black ceramic bezel left Rolex on Oysterflex, not leather, and the 116515LN switched from leather to Oysterflex in 2017. A 116518LN or 116519LN on a leather strap should be questioned. Browse what we can source in the Rolex Daytona leather collection, or by metal in yellow gold, Everose gold and white gold.
Leather, Oysterflex or Oyster bracelet: which suits a gold Daytona?
Leather is the lightest and dressiest, Oysterflex the most practical and a solid gold Oyster bracelet the most luxurious. All three fit the same 40 mm case, and none changes the movement.
| Leather strap | Oysterflex | Gold Oyster bracelet | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Leather with a gold folding clasp | Titanium and nickel alloy blades overmoulded in black elastomer, gold clasp | Solid gold three-piece links |
| Gold Daytona references | 116518, 116519, 116515LN, gem-set 1165xx | 116518LN, 116519LN, later 116515LN, then 126515LN, 126518LN, 126519LN | 116508, 116509, 116505, then 126508, 126509, 126505 |
| Years at Rolex | Up to 2017 | From 2017 | Throughout the gold range |
| Water | Keep dry; the leather suffers | Fine in the sea and pool, rinse after | Fine in water |
| Buying cost | Typically lowest | Middle | Typically highest |
If you wear the watch daily and swim, the Oysterflex is the better tool; our Daytona on Oysterflex collection shows the options. If you want the full set of current models and how they compare, the Rolex Daytona buying guide and the Rolex Daytona price guide cover every metal and bracelet. For a spread of Daytonas in every metal, see the full Rolex Daytona collection.
How much does a Daytona on leather cost?
Pre-owned yellow gold and Everose examples sit roughly in the low-to-mid five figures, white gold versions and special dials climb into the high five figures, and gem-set references reach six figures or more. Treat these as bands, not quotes: condition, dial, papers and the originality of the strap and clasp all move the number, and the market changes. The from-prices on the linked listings show the current asking level for each reference.
How do you care for a Rolex leather strap?
Keep it dry, rotate it and wipe it clean. Leather absorbs sweat and moisture, which darkens, stiffens and eventually cracks it, so a daily-wear strap ages faster than a metal bracelet.
- Avoid water. Take the watch off for swimming, showers and workouts, even though the case is rated to 100 metres.
- Wipe after wearing. A dry, soft cloth removes sweat from the underside.
- Let it rest. Give the strap a day off between wears, away from heat and direct sun.
- Protect the clasp. The gold folding clasp scratches easily, so store the watch with the clasp closed and not rubbing against other pieces.
How do you replace the strap on a Daytona?
A genuine replacement comes from a Rolex service centre or an Official Rolex Retailer, fitted to your reference. The Daytona takes a 20 mm strap, so aftermarket options exist, but they are not Rolex parts. If you go aftermarket, keep the original strap and clasp: they are part of the watch and a future buyer will price the watch on having them.
What should you check before buying one?
- Reference against strap. The gold references in the table left Rolex on leather. A 116518LN or 116519LN on leather has been modified from its Oysterflex original.
- Original clasp. It should be a Rolex gold clasp matching the case metal, not a generic buckle.
- Strap condition. Look at the underside, the holes and the area by the lugs for cracks and heavy wear. A worn strap is a replacement cost to factor in.
- Dial and papers. The dial should be factory original for the reference, and the warranty card should match the serial. Special dials and gem-set pieces need extra scrutiny.
- Service history. The calibre 4130 is robust but still needs periodic servicing, so ask when it last had one.
Quick answers
Which Rolex Daytona models came on a leather strap?
The gold Daytonas made before the Oysterflex arrived in 2017: the yellow gold 116518, the white gold 116519, the Everose 116515LN, and the gem-set 116589, 116598 and 116599, plus the earlier 165xx references from 1988 to 2000. Rolex's regular steel Daytonas shipped on an Oyster bracelet.
Can you swim or shower with a leather-strapped Daytona?
The Daytona case is rated to 100 metres with the crown and pushers screwed down, but the leather is the weak point. Water, sweat and salt stiffen and darken it, so keep a leather strap dry and save pool and sea days for a watch on rubber or metal.
Can you put a leather strap on any Rolex Daytona?
Mechanically yes, because the Daytona takes a 20 mm strap, but only the gold references listed above left Rolex on leather. A strap on any other Daytona is an aftermarket change, and some strap makers state that their Daytona straps are not made for the gold references that originally came on leather, so check fit before you buy.
How do you replace a Rolex Daytona leather strap?
Ask a Rolex service centre or an Official Rolex Retailer for a genuine strap and clasp for your reference. If you choose a third-party strap instead, keep the original strap and folding clasp, because a buyer will want them with the watch.
Is a Daytona on leather cheaper than one on a gold bracelet?
Usually, yes. A leather-strap gold Daytona is typically the lowest-cost way into a solid gold Daytona, because the strap and clasp carry far less gold than a full gold Oyster bracelet. The exact gap depends on the reference, dial and condition of the watch you are offered.
Related reading: Yellow Gold Rolex Daytona.
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