Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ 116500LN - Black Ceramic Bezel

Rolex Daytona ‘Panda’ 116500LN - Black Ceramic Bezel In 2016, shockwaves rippled through the watch world when, at Baselworld, Rolex unveiled the groundbreaking Daytona Ref. 116500LN. This landmark model etched its name in history as the first Daytona to feature a ceramic bezel, a treatment already present on most of Rolex’s professional watches and long awaited for the Crown’s iconic chronograph. The stainless steel bezel of the 116520 was replaced with a new ‘Cerachrom’ bezel, Rolex’s proprietary ceramic material, giving the watch a distinctly modern look. Its glossy finish subtly echoed earlier manual-winding Daytonas, particularly those fitted with fragile yet captivating Bakelite bezels. But this update wasn't just cosmetic; the ceramic material turned one of the most scratch-prone parts of the watch into a virtually scratch-resistant, high-tech component. While the bezel received a significant upgrade, the movement from the 116520 was carried over: the Caliber 4130, Rolex’s first chronograph movement entirely developed and manufactured in-house. Unlike the earlier Zenith ébauche, this caliber was engineered with running seconds at 6 o’clock, enhancing the overall symmetry and visual balance of the dial. Recently discontinued in 2023, the 116500LN was available with either a black or white dial. The white dial variant featured updated details, with the silver subdial rings replaced by glossy black, mirroring the ceramic bezel and earning the watch its widely recognized ‘Panda’ nickname. Since the Zenith era, the Daytona has stood as a pop culture icon, a best-seller, and one of the hardest Rolex models to acquire at retail. This scarcity only intensified with the release of the 116500LN, which saw years-long waiting lists. During the pandemic-era, this exact model, in the iconic ‘Panda’ configuration, traded for over €50,000, driven by unprecedented global demand. The present example dates from the first year of production (2016)—a detail that could prove highly valuable in the future: looking at previous references, first-series models have consistently commanded the highest premiums. Preserved in excellent condition, it is offered complete with its original box, outer box, and warranty card.