The white gold Rolex Daytona is the 40 mm Cosmograph Daytona cased in 18 ct white gold, sold on a matching white gold Oyster bracelet and known by two main references: the 116509 and, from 2023, its successor the 126509. It sits between the steel Daytona and the platinum Daytona in both precious-metal weight and visual character. This guide explains what changed between the two references, which dials have been offered, and what to check before you buy. Bizak & Co. is a sourcing desk, so nothing here is a stock listing.
Last reviewed on October 28, 2026 by Filip Biczak. Movement, case size and water resistance below follow Rolex specifications; finer changes Rolex does not list, such as case thickness, come from dealer and collector references. Reference: Rolex, Cosmograph Daytona.
What is the white gold Rolex Daytona?
It is the Cosmograph Daytona chronograph made in white gold rather than steel or platinum. The case, bezel and bracelet are all precious metal, which gives the watch more weight and a cooler, slightly softer shine than steel. Browse the white gold Rolex Daytona collection to see the references we source, or start from the wider Rolex Daytona range.
What changed from the 116509 to the 126509?
The 126509 replaced the 116509 in 2023 and moved to a newer movement and a slightly refined case and dial. The 116509 uses Caliber 4130 and the 126509 uses Caliber 4131, and both movements are rated at about 72 hours of power reserve. Several references also describe the 126509 as a little slimmer, with finer dial details. Rolex does not always publish every change, so a hands-on comparison is worth more than a spec sheet.
| Detail | 116509 (previous) | 126509 (current) |
|---|---|---|
| Case size | 40 mm | 40 mm |
| Case and bracelet metal | 18 ct white gold | 18 ct white gold |
| Movement | Caliber 4130 | Caliber 4131 |
| Introduced | Earlier generation, replaced in 2023 | 2023 |
| Water resistance | 100 m | 100 m |
| Case thickness (as reported) | Slightly thicker | Slightly thinner |
If you want the previous generation, see the previous-model white gold Daytona page. For the newer watch, see the current-model white gold Daytona page or the dedicated Rolex Daytona 126509 page.
Which dials does the white gold Daytona come in?
Over its life the white gold Daytona has been offered with several dials, and the lineup has shifted between the two references. Black, blue, grey and white-toned dials are the ones most often listed, with more specialised versions such as meteorite and mother-of-pearl appearing on earlier 116509 watches according to dealer references. Some of these have since been discontinued, and Rolex has at times pulled a dial and later reissued it, so availability changes. Black-dial versions are covered on our white gold Daytona with black dial page.
- Black: the most conservative choice and the easiest to find across generations.
- Blue: the most sought-after dial by name; it has come and gone from the catalogue, so check which reference and year you are looking at.
- Grey: a quieter option that reads close to silver in some light.
- Meteorite: a patterned dial cut from meteoritic material, mostly associated with earlier white gold watches.
The Daytona Le Mans is not a dial option on the 116509 or 126509. The white gold Le Mans is a separate reference, the 126529LN from 2023, with a black Cerachrom bezel and Caliber 4132. See our Rolex Daytona Le Mans 126529LN guide.
How is a white gold Daytona different from platinum or steel?
White gold looks warmer and softer than platinum and richer than steel, and on the 116509 and 126509 it carries a metal bezel rather than the ceramic ring seen on many steel and platinum models. Platinum Daytonas are the heaviest and are paired with an ice-blue dial, while steel is the lightest and most commonly sourced. Colour in daylight is the clearest tell: white gold has a faint warm cast, platinum looks colder and denser, and steel has the harder grey of a tool watch.
| Version | Metal | What you notice |
|---|---|---|
| White gold (126509) | 18 ct white gold | Bright, slightly warm, solid weight, metal bezel |
| Platinum (126506) | 950 platinum | Coldest tone, heaviest, ice-blue dial |
| Steel (126500LN) | Oystersteel | Lightest, ceramic bezel, most common |
We cover the other two in depth: the platinum Daytona 126506 and the steel Daytona 116500LN vs 126500LN.
What should you check before buying a white gold Daytona?
Confirm the reference, the dial, the age of the watch and the papers before anything else. Match the reference to the movement generation, check that the bracelet is the solid white gold one and not mixed with another metal, and ask whether the dial is original. Look at condition around the lugs and bezel, since softer precious metal shows polishing more than steel. Ask whether the watch is unworn or pre-owned and whether box and papers are included. Our authenticity page explains what we verify.
Is the white gold Daytona sourced to order?
Yes, at Bizak & Co. each watch is found on request, not held on a shelf. You tell us the reference, dial and condition you want, and we locate a specific unit and confirm its details before you commit. Market levels for precious-metal Daytonas move, so we avoid quoting a figure until a real watch is identified. Expect white gold to price well above steel and in the same broad territory as other precious-metal sports chronographs.
Quick answers
What is the difference between the 116509 and 126509?
The 126509 is the newer generation, introduced in 2023, with the updated Caliber 4131 movement and a slightly refined case and dial compared with the 116509.
Is the white gold Daytona the same size as the steel one?
Yes, both are 40 mm. The difference is the metal, the weight and the bezel material, not the diameter.
Which dial is the most popular on a white gold Daytona?
Blue and black are the most sought-after dials, though availability depends on the reference and year.
Is the white gold Daytona the same as the platinum one?
No. Platinum is a different reference with an ice-blue dial and a colder tone, while the white gold 116509 and 126509 use a metal bezel and a range of dials.
Does Bizak & Co. keep white gold Daytonas in stock?
No. We source on request, confirming the exact watch and photographs before you commit.
Related reading: every white gold Rolex model, the platinum Daytona 126506, steel Daytona 116500LN vs 126500LN and Rolex Daytona Le Mans 126529LN.
Get your Rolex sourced
Tell us the model, size, dial and bracelet preference, whether you want new or pre-owned, and your budget and timing, through our sourcing enquiry form. We confirm the specific watch, photographs and final price before you commit, and a $200 deposit, credited to the price, starts the search.
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