Rolex Daytona Leather

Rolex Daytona leather strap models and prices

Every automatic Daytona since 1988 has a 40 mm case, and the last digit of the reference gives the gold: 8 for yellow, 9 for white and 5 for Everose. Prices are the lowest live Bizak catalogue price for each reference on a leather strap on 19 October 2026; tap a reference to open its listing and reserve it. Our Rolex Daytona price guide covers every metal and bracelet.

Leather is also the least expensive way into a solid gold Daytona on Bizak: a 116518 on leather starts at $25,203, against $32,549 for a 116528 on a gold bracelet, $33,479 for a 116518LN on the Oysterflex and $39,524 for the current 126518LN. In Everose, the leather 116515LN from $27,899 compares with $38,129 for the current Oysterflex 126515LN. White gold is the exception, because our only 116519 has a meteorite dial: the bracelet 116509 starts at $27,899 and the Oysterflex 116519LN at $34,409.

Leather, Oysterflex or gold bracelet: what changed in 2017

The automatic Daytona first came on leather in its Zenith-powered generation of 1988 to 2000, when the plain gold models on leather were the yellow gold 16518 and the white gold 16519, both with calibre 4030; gem-set versions such as the 16599 came on leather too. In 2000 the 116518 and 116519 took over with Rolex’s own calibre 4130, still on leather, while the yellow gold 116528 offered a gold bracelet; the first white gold Daytona on a white gold bracelet was the 116509 of 2004. The Everose 116515LN, with a black Cerachrom bezel, also came on leather. In 2017 the 116518LN, 116519LN and 116515LN became the first Daytonas on the Oysterflex, Rolex’s bracelet of flexible metal blades overmoulded with elastomer, and the current 126518LN, 126519LN and 126515LN keep it. Our Oysterflex guide compares the two, and the Oysterflex Daytona page lists them.

Which suits you? Leather is dressier than the Oysterflex, but it dislikes water and sweat and wears with use; the Oysterflex can be worn swimming; a solid gold bracelet adds the most metal and the highest retail price (US retail: $55,200 for the yellow gold 126508 on its bracelet, $42,700 for the 126518LN on the Oysterflex). Older Daytonas, from the manually wound 6263 to the 116520, are covered in our vintage Daytona references guide.

Original Rolex leather strap and clasp: what to check

The strap is the part of a leather Daytona that wears out, so the one on a pre-owned watch may not be the strap it was delivered with. Check the clasp too: Phillips catalogued a circa-2004 white gold 116519 on leather with an 18K white gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp. Ask whether the strap and clasp are Rolex, how worn the leather is and whether the strap fits the clasp properly; a replacement strap is no reason to walk away, but it should be disclosed and reflected in the price. A Daytona that left Rolex on a bracelet or Oysterflex and now wears leather has an aftermarket strap, so keep its original bracelet or Oysterflex with the watch. For the meteorite dial of our white gold 116519 and its successors in other metals, see our meteorite dial Daytona guide.

Gem-set Daytonas on leather

Most 116589 and 116599 models, the gem-set white gold Daytonas of the 1165xx generation, came on leather. The 116589 sets the bezel with diamonds, sapphires or rubies: on Bizak it starts at $73,999, the sapphire 116589SACI and the ruby 116589SALV at $140,899. The 116599 pairs a gem-set bezel with a diamond pavé dial, from $110,669, and the ruby-set 116599RU starts at $160,999. In yellow gold, the 116598SACO “Leopard” has orange sapphires, a leopard-pattern dial and a leopard-print strap, from $73,469, and the 116598SARO has pink sapphires and a mother-of-pearl dial on pink leather, from $240,999. The Zenith-era 16599 on leather starts at $274,999.

A gem-set Daytona priced like a plain one almost certainly has aftermarket stones. Compare factory references on our diamond bezel Daytona, diamond pavé Daytona and diamond dial Daytona pages, and in our guide to Rolex diamond bezels.

What to check before you buy a Daytona on leather

• The reference. Read the reference engraved between the lugs at 12 o’clock and match it, and the serial, to the papers; its last digit gives the gold (8 yellow, 9 white, 5 Everose).
• The strap and clasp. Ask whether both are Rolex, check that the gold deployant clasp closes firmly, and look at the leather where it folds and where it meets the case.
• The dial. Meteorite, mother-of-pearl, pavé and diamond-set dials cost more than plain dials of the same reference; match the dial to the papers too.
• Factory or aftermarket stones. Factory gem-set models carry their own suffix, such as 116589SACI or 116598SACO. Stones, a bezel or a dial added later lower the value.
• The case. 18 ct gold is softer than steel, so look for polished-away case edges and lug wear.
• Box and papers. A full set with the warranty card is part of the price; check which one you are being quoted.

Found your reference? Open its listing and tap Reserve with $200. Our buyer protection page sets out the deposit terms, and our authentication process lists the checks made on the specific watch before dispatch, including the strap or bracelet, clasp and fit. Looking for a reference we do not list, such as a 16518 or 16519? Send it through find your watch. Selling or trading a leather Daytona instead? See sell or trade your watch. More checks are in our guide to buying a Daytona from a grey dealer.

Frequently Asked Questions