The Rolex Daytona 116508 is the 18 ct yellow gold Cosmograph Daytona made from 2000 to 2023, a 40 mm chronograph with a yellow gold tachymeter bezel and matching Oyster bracelet. This example carries the green sunburst dial, a combination collectors nicknamed the "John Mayer" Daytona after the musician's public fondness for it, and it is widely treated as the most requested dial colour within the 116508 family. This guide covers the specifications, how the green dial compares with the 116508's other dial options, how the reference compares with the current 126508 and with the two-tone 116503, price context in 2026 and what to check before buying. Bizak & Co. sources the 116508 to order; the Daytona collection lists the configurations we can seek.
Last reviewed on September 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Prices are dated observations, not quotes.
Rolex Daytona 116508 specifications
| Attribute | 116508 |
|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm 18 ct yellow gold, screw-down Triplock crown and chronograph pushers |
| Bezel | Yellow gold, engraved tachymeter scale |
| Movement | Calibre 4130, automatic column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch, about 72 hours power reserve, Superlative Chronometer certified |
| Dial | Green sunburst on this example; also made in black, white, champagne, meteorite and diamond-set variants across the 116508 family |
| Bracelet | Yellow gold Oyster with Oysterlock clasp |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Production | 2000 to 2023; replaced by the current 126508 |
Source: Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona collection, and the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry on Swiss chronometer certification standards that apply to the calibre 4130.
Why is the green dial called the "John Mayer" Daytona?
The nickname traces to musician John Mayer's public and repeated wear of the yellow gold Daytona with a green sunburst dial, which collectors picked up as shorthand the way earlier generations named the Submariner "Kermit" or the GMT-Master II "Pepsi". The name is a collector convention rather than a Rolex designation; the reference on the case and papers reads 116508 regardless of dial colour. What the nickname reflects accurately is demand: among 116508 dial options, the green sunburst is the one most frequently asked for at the dealer level, which keeps it priced above the black, white or champagne dials on the same reference.
How does the Daytona 116508 wear on the wrist?
At 40 mm in solid yellow gold, the 116508 is noticeably heavier than a steel Daytona of the same diameter, and that weight is part of what buyers are paying for rather than an incidental cost. The gold tachymeter bezel and Oyster bracelet read as more formal than the steel or two-tone versions, and the case wears well under a cuff despite the added heft. Yellow gold shows surface wear faster than steel, so a well-kept, lightly worn example looks noticeably better than one that has seen daily use without care. Wrists comfortable with a 40 mm chronograph generally adapt to the added weight within a few days of wear.
116508 vs 126508: old gold Daytona or new?
| 116508 | 126508 | |
|---|---|---|
| Case | 40 mm, no Chromalight lume plots on the sub-dials | 40 mm, updated case profile |
| Bezel | Engraved yellow gold tachymeter | Engraved yellow gold tachymeter, Chromalight markers |
| Movement | Calibre 4130, about 72 h | Calibre 4131, about 72 h, updated architecture |
| Years | 2000 to 2023 | 2023 to date |
| Warranty | None from Rolex on older examples | Five-year Rolex international guarantee if bought new |
The 116508 is the route to a solid gold Daytona at a lower entry point than the current 126508, with the calibre 4130 that defined the model for over two decades. The 126508 adds Rolex's newer movement architecture and, when bought new from an authorised dealer, a factory warranty the 116508 no longer carries unless the original papers still apply.
116508 vs 116503: solid gold or two-tone Daytona?
The 116503 pairs steel with yellow gold on the bezel, crown and bracelet centre links, which lowers both the weight and the price against the fully gold 116508 while keeping a visible gold accent. Buyers who want gold's warmth without the cost or heft of a solid-gold case often cross-shop the two-tone reference; buyers who want the case, bezel and bracelet entirely in precious metal choose the 116508. They are different ownership decisions rather than a strict upgrade path. Compare current sourced examples of both in the Daytona collection.
How much is a Rolex Daytona 116508 green dial?
On September 28, 2026, Bizak's sourced catalogue listed a green-dial 116508 at US$62,312, sourced to order. That figure is one dated listing for one example; solid-gold Daytonas price on condition, dial originality, box and papers, and year, so it should not be read as a market median. Rolex does not publish historical retail prices for a discontinued reference, and the 116508's original list price is not something we restate here without a dated primary source. Ask for a current written quote for the exact watch, dial and set before comparing it against another offer.
Is the 116508 green dial a good investment?
Full-set precious-metal Daytonas have generally held value more steadily than the broader steel-sports market, in part because the gold content sets a rough floor and in part because dealer demand for the green dial specifically has stayed consistent. That is a description of past demand, not a forecast, and Bizak does not offer price guarantees on any watch. Buy it because the weight and the dial are what you want to wear; if resale matters, ask for a written cash-buy assessment before you commit.
What does owning an older gold Daytona cost beyond the purchase?
A solid gold Daytona carries running costs a steel watch does not. Insurance for a watch in the low six figures is worth budgeting for separately from home contents cover, since many policies cap single-item claims well below that value. Servicing a calibre 4130 through an independent watchmaker experienced with Rolex chronograph movements is generally the more economical route once the original warranty has lapsed, though a full service on a chronograph calibre costs more than on a simple three-hand movement because of the added chronograph components. Gold cases and bracelets also benefit from a lighter touch when polishing, since gold removes material faster than steel under an aggressive buff; ask any service provider whether they can do a conservative, edge-preserving polish rather than a full refinish. None of this is disqualifying for a watch at this level, but it belongs in the total cost of ownership rather than being discovered after the purchase.
Buying a used 116508: what to check
- Dial originality. The green sunburst should show even, directional shimmer from centre to edge under varied light; flat or patchy colour, or inconsistent sub-dial printing, are signs to query.
- Case and bracelet wear. Yellow gold marks faster than steel; check the lug edges and bracelet centre links for rounding or deep scratches, which signal repeated polishing.
- Papers and serial match. The case serial, visible between the lugs at 6 with the bracelet removed, should match the warranty card exactly; a mismatch is a provenance problem that affects resale.
- Pusher and crown function. Both chronograph pushers should engage and reset cleanly; a sticking pusher or a crown that does not screw down fully warrants a service inspection before purchase.
- Service history. Ask whether the case has been opened and by whom; an undocumented history is not disqualifying but should be reflected in the price.
- Price against condition. A full-set green-dial 116508 offered well under other listings for comparable condition is worth double-checking rather than acting on quickly.
Our authentication process describes what we inspect before dispatch.
Quick answers
Why is the Rolex Daytona 116508 green dial called the John Mayer Daytona?
Collectors named it after musician John Mayer's public and frequent wear of the yellow gold, green-dial 116508. It is a nickname, not a Rolex designation; the reference is 116508 regardless of dial colour.
How much is a Rolex Daytona 116508?
On September 28, 2026, Bizak's sourced catalogue listed a green-dial 116508 at US$62,312, sourced to order. That is one dated listing; condition, dial and set change the figure, so ask for a current written quote.
What movement is in the Rolex Daytona 116508?
Calibre 4130, Rolex's in-house automatic chronograph with a column-wheel and vertical clutch, giving about 72 hours of power reserve and Superlative Chronometer certification.
What is the difference between the 116508 and the 126508?
The 116508, made 2000 to 2023, uses the calibre 4130. The current 126508 uses the updated calibre 4131 and, bought new, carries Rolex's five-year international guarantee.
How does the 116508 wear compared with a steel Daytona?
Noticeably heavier, since the case, bezel and bracelet are all solid 18 ct gold rather than steel. Most wearers adjust within a few days; it reads as more formal on the wrist.
Request a Daytona 116508 sourcing quote
Tell us your preferred dial, condition, papers requirement, budget and timing through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs, papers and final price before you commit. Catalogue entry: 116508 green dial; browse the Daytona collection, the wider Rolex catalogue, or sell or trade your Daytona.
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