About the Rolex Rainbow Daytona
The Cosmograph Daytona was introduced by Rolex as a chronograph purpose-built for motorsport timing, but the Rainbow edition elevates that sporting foundation into a work of wearable art. What defines the Rainbow Daytona is its bezel set with baguette-cut sapphires arranged in a carefully sequenced color gradient, progressing through the spectrum from one lug to the other, a feat of gem-setting that requires stones matched for size, color saturation, and cut. The 40 mm cases in yellow gold (ref. 116598RBOW), rose gold (ref. 116595RBOW), and white gold (ref. 116599RBOWC) each frame a dial adorned with diamond hour markers and, in many configurations, fully pavé gem-set surfaces. Custom variants push further still, replacing every dial surface with pavé diamonds and sapphires for a piece that transcends the standard catalog offering.
What to Look For
When comparing Rainbow Daytona references, the key distinctions are case metal, dial configuration, and gem density: rose gold references like 116595RBOW and its variants tend to command the broadest collector interest, while custom full-pavé dial builds on yellow gold 116598RBOW or white gold 116599RBOWC offer a uniquely bespoke level of jeweling. Luminous versions and factory-original configurations versus high-quality custom builds differ meaningfully in provenance and pricing, so buyers should confirm authentication, original box-and-papers status, and whether gem work is factory Rolex or aftermarket.
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Rolex Rainbow Daytona so valuable and hard to find?
The Rainbow Daytona is produced in very limited numbers by Rolex, requiring exceptional gem-setting expertise to match and graduate the multicolored baguette sapphires across the bezel. This scarcity, combined with intense global collector demand, means most references trade well above their retail list price on the secondary market.
What is the difference between references 116595RBOW, 116598RBOW, and 116599RBOWC?
The core difference is case metal: 116595RBOW is crafted in 18k Everose rose gold, 116598RBOW is in 18k yellow gold, and 116599RBOWC is in 18k white gold, all sharing the signature 40 mm case and rainbow sapphire bezel. Dial and gem configurations can vary further between factory standard and custom full-pavé builds, affecting both appearance and value.
How do I buy an authentic Rolex Rainbow Daytona from Bizak and Co.?
Every Rolex Rainbow Daytona listed at Bizak and Co. is thoroughly authenticated before sale, with provenance and condition clearly described in each listing. You can browse available references including rose gold, yellow gold, and white gold examples directly on our site and contact our team for additional details, shipping options, or to discuss a specific reference you are seeking.
Buy, trade, or sell. Contact Bizak & Co. for pricing and availability on any reference in this collection.
