Reference:116506 - Revision history

Klaudiusz: Bound 116506 platinum and market claims to evidence

2026-09-29T07:41:05Z

Bound 116506 platinum and market claims to evidence

Klaudiusz: Deep audit: qualify platinum history, ground auction claims, humanize prose, and repair gallery

2026-09-29T03:27:19Z

Deep audit: qualify platinum history, ground auction claims, humanize prose, and repair gallery

← Older revision		Revision as of 03:27, 29 September 2026
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	The 116506 is the platinum Cosmograph Daytona introduced at Baselworld 2013 for the model’s 50th anniversary. It uses a 950-platinum case and bracelet, an ice-blue dial, a chestnut-brown Cerachrom bezel with platinum-coated tachymeter graduations, and caliber 4130. Rolex replaced it in the 2023 generation with the 126506 and caliber 4131. The Everose 116515LN had already introduced a ceramic-bezel Daytona; the 116506 applied the ceramic and platinum combination to the anniversary model.		The 116506 is the first regular-production platinum Cosmograph Daytona, introduced at Baselworld 2013 for the model’s 50th anniversary. Earlier gem-set and special-order platinum Daytonas are a separate historical question and should not be conflated with this catalogue reference. It uses a 950-platinum case and bracelet, an ice-blue dial, a chestnut-brown Cerachrom bezel with platinum-coated tachymeter graduations, and caliber 4130. Rolex replaced it in the 2023 generation with the 126506 and caliber 4131. The Everose 116515LN had already introduced a ceramic-bezel Daytona; the 116506 applied the ceramic and platinum combination to the anniversary model.

	The blue-and-brown color scheme was the focus of contemporary launch coverage. It is a catalogue description, not a claim that every 116506 dial or bezel detail remained unchanged throughout the run.		The blue-and-brown color scheme was the focus of contemporary launch coverage. It is a catalogue description, not a claim that every 116506 dial or bezel detail remained unchanged throughout the run.
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	\|-		\|-
	\| dial sub-references \|\| 116506-0001 (standard ice-blue), 116506-0002 / 0008 (baguette-diamond hour markers), 116506-0004 (Arabic-Indic numerals, Middle East)		\| dial sub-references \|\| 116506-0001 (standard ice-blue), 116506-0002 / 0008 (baguette-diamond hour markers), 116506-0004 (Arabic-Indic numerals, Middle East)
	\|-
	\|-		\|-
	\| caseback \|\| solid 950 platinum (sapphire caseback first appears on the 126506 successor)		\| caseback \|\| solid 950 platinum (sapphire caseback first appears on the 126506 successor)
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	==Where it sits in the line==		==Where it sits in the line==

	The 116506 belongs to the later 4130 Daytona generation alongside the steel 116520, yellow-gold 116528 and white-gold 116519. It was the first Daytona reference in a solid-platinum case. The 126506 replaced it in the 2023 generation with caliber 4131 and a display caseback.		The 116506 belongs to the later 4130 Daytona generation alongside the steel 116520, yellow-gold 116528 and white-gold 116519. It was the first regular-production Daytona reference in a solid-platinum case; earlier special-order and gem-set examples should be treated separately. The 126506 replaced it in the 2023 generation with caliber 4131 and a display caseback.

	The chestnut Cerachrom and ice-blue dial combination is the configuration documented for this reference. Other 4130 Daytonas used different bezel and dial treatments, so comparisons should be tied to the specific reference and catalogue year.		The chestnut Cerachrom and ice-blue dial combination is the configuration documented for this reference. Other 4130 Daytonas used different bezel and dial treatments, so comparisons should be tied to the specific reference and catalogue year.
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	==Movement notes==		==Movement notes==

	Caliber 4130 is the same in-house chronograph movement Rolex launched in 2000 on the 116520, carried across every cal-4130-generation Daytona reference for twenty-three years. A column wheel handles start-stop-reset, a vertical clutch engages the chronograph, and the balance runs on a blue Parachrom hairspring at 28,800 vph across 44 jewels with a 72-hour reserve. CaliberCorner records the 290-part construction and ceramic reversing-wheel bearings; Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' (Morning Tundra) ~~catalogues~~ the ~~cal 4130 as the longest-running modern Rolex chronograph~~ caliber ~~by a wide margin~~.		Caliber 4130 is the same in-house chronograph movement Rolex launched in 2000 on the 116520, carried across every cal-4130-generation Daytona reference for twenty-three years. A column wheel handles start-stop-reset, a vertical clutch engages the chronograph, and the balance runs on a blue Parachrom hairspring at 28,800 vph across 44 jewels with a 72-hour reserve. CaliberCorner records the 290-part construction and ceramic reversing-wheel bearings; Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' (Morning Tundra) lists the same core caliber specifications.

	The solid platinum caseback hides the movement, as on every cal-4130 Daytona; Rolex never produced a sapphire-caseback variant in this generation. Set against twenty-three years of closed backs, the 126506's display caseback reads as a generational reset rather than a routine refresh, which is how Fratello's side-by-side comparison treats it.		The solid platinum caseback hides the movement, as on every cal-4130 Daytona; Rolex never produced a sapphire-caseback variant in this generation. Set against twenty-three years of closed backs, the 126506's display caseback reads as a generational reset rather than a routine refresh, which is how Fratello's side-by-side comparison treats it.
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	The case is 950 platinum at 40mm, around 12.5mm thick, brushed across the top surfaces and polished on the flanks. SJX's launch piece records how the metal behaves — heavier than the steel and gold cases of the 116520 and 116528 generation, more malleable than steel, softer to surface marking than gold. Bexsonn's coverage from the same week notes that Rolex finished the platinum to the same brushed-and-polished tolerances as the steel 116520, so the case reads in proportion to its siblings instead of as a differentiated profile. Lug geometry and case dimensions match the 40mm Daytona case Rolex had been refining since 2000.		The case is 950 platinum at 40mm, around 12.5mm thick, brushed across the top surfaces and polished on the flanks. SJX's launch piece records how the metal behaves — heavier than the steel and gold cases of the 116520 and 116528 generation, more malleable than steel, softer to surface marking than gold. Bexsonn's coverage from the same week notes that Rolex finished the platinum to the same brushed-and-polished tolerances as the steel 116520, so the case reads in proportion to its siblings instead of as a differentiated profile. Lug geometry and case dimensions match the 40mm Daytona case Rolex had been refining since 2000.

	The Cerachrom bezel is the ~~headline~~ material change. Rolex fires the chestnut ring as a monobloc, tachymeter graduations included, then deposits the numerals and graduations as a thin layer of platinum through PVD. The ceramic color is produced during manufacture; Rolex describes Cerachrom as resistant to UV-related fading and corrosion. Condition still has to be checked on the individual bezel. The tachymeter scale runs around the upper case, framed by polished platinum casework at the bezel edge. Logan Baker's Phillips editorial places the 116506 third in the Cerachrom rollout, behind the GMT-Master II and the precious-metal Daytona references that took the material before it.		The Cerachrom bezel is the principal visible material change. Rolex fires the chestnut ring as a monobloc, tachymeter graduations included, then deposits the numerals and graduations as a thin layer of platinum through PVD. The ceramic color is produced during manufacture; Rolex describes Cerachrom as resistant to UV-related fading and corrosion. Condition still has to be checked on the individual bezel. The tachymeter scale runs around the upper case, framed by polished platinum casework at the bezel edge. Logan Baker's Phillips editorial places the 116506 third in the Cerachrom rollout, behind the GMT-Master II and the precious-metal Daytona references that took the material before it.

	The crystal is flat sapphire, no Cyclops, in the same proportions used across the cal-4130 Daytona line. The crown is the Triplock screw-down with three-gasket sealing, at the standard Rolex 700-series geometry. The chronograph pushers are screw-down 950 platinum and follow the same operating routine as the rest of the modern Daytona line: unscrew the pusher, operate the chronograph, screw it back down to seal the case. Water resistance is rated to 100m, consistent with every cal-4130 Daytona reference.		The crystal is flat sapphire, no Cyclops, in the same proportions used across the cal-4130 Daytona line. The crown is the Triplock screw-down with three-gasket sealing, at the standard Rolex 700-series geometry. The chronograph pushers are screw-down 950 platinum and follow the same operating routine as the rest of the modern Daytona line: unscrew the pusher, operate the chronograph, screw it back down to seal the case. Water resistance is rated to 100m, consistent with every cal-4130 Daytona reference.

	The ~~aBlogtoWatch hands-on review records on-wrist weight as the 116506's defining tactile feature: solid platinum at 40mm on a~~ platinum bracelet ~~carries well beyond~~ the ~~gold or~~ two-tone ~~references~~ of the same generation. ~~Rolex never adjusted the case or bracelet construction to compensate, so the weight holds across the run~~.		The platinum case and bracelet weigh more than the steel, two-tone and gold versions of the same generation. The cited hands-on review records that difference; individual weights still depend on links and condition.

	==Bracelets, end links, and clasps==		==Bracelets, end links, and clasps==

	The bracelet is a 950 platinum Oyster, three-link, with brushed centre links and polished outer links, fitted with solid end links integral to the case. Rolex did not produce the 116506 on a strap; every example shipped on the matching platinum Oyster, and that bracelet is what gives the watch its on-wrist mass. The Sotheby's 2020 Important Watches lot of a 2013-production 116506 (case 288CN710) records the platinum Oyster as the original delivery configuration, and ~~every subsequent~~ Sotheby's ~~lot of the reference confirms~~ the same bracelet pairing.		The bracelet is a 950 platinum Oyster, three-link, with brushed centre links and polished outer links, fitted with solid end links integral to the case. Rolex did not produce the 116506 on a strap; every example shipped on the matching platinum Oyster, and that bracelet is what gives the watch its on-wrist mass. The Sotheby's 2020 Important Watches lot of a 2013-production 116506 (case 288CN710) records the platinum Oyster as the original delivery configuration, and the cited Sotheby's lots show the same bracelet pairing.

	The clasp is the modern Oysterlock with the Easylink 5mm comfort extension — the same lever-and-keeper micro-adjustment system Rolex rolled across the cal-4130 Daytona line in the early 2000s, executed here in 950 platinum. The Glidelock toolless extension that arrived on the ceramic Submariner generation in 2010 never crossed onto the Daytona, so Easylink is the only on-bracelet adjustment the 116506 ever offered. The 126506 reworked the Oysterlock mechanism, which leaves the 116506 as the last platinum Daytona carrying the older clasp design. End-link references and clasp date codes follow the modern Daytona conventions catalogued at [[Reference:Bracelets]].		The clasp is the modern Oysterlock with the Easylink 5mm comfort extension — the same lever-and-keeper micro-adjustment system Rolex rolled across the cal-4130 Daytona line in the early 2000s, executed here in 950 platinum. The Glidelock toolless extension that arrived on the ceramic Submariner generation in 2010 never crossed onto the Daytona, so Easylink is the only on-bracelet adjustment the 116506 ever offered. The 126506 reworked the Oysterlock mechanism, which leaves the 116506 as the last platinum Daytona carrying the older clasp design. End-link references and clasp date codes follow the modern Daytona conventions catalogued at [[Reference:Bracelets]].
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	==Special branches==		==Special branches==

	~~Every~~ documented ~~departure~~ from the launch watch ~~is a~~ dial ~~change~~. The case, bracelet, bezel, and caliber are ~~the same~~ across the 0001, ~~the~~ diamond-marker 0002 / 0008, and ~~the~~ Middle East 0004. The Sotheby's 2022 lot of a c.2019 diamond-set example is the public-record anchor for the 0008, and the Sotheby's 2024 Fine Watches lot of a late-production diamond-marker example carries the variant through to the wind-down.		In the cited records, the documented departures from the launch watch are dial variants. The case, bracelet, bezel and caliber are described as unchanged across the 0001, diamond-marker 0002 / 0008 and Middle East 0004 examples; confirm any individual watch against its papers. The Sotheby's 2022 lot of a c.2019 diamond-set example is the public-record anchor for the 0008, and the Sotheby's 2024 Fine Watches lot of a late-production diamond-marker example carries the variant through to the wind-down.

	The 116576TBR is the platinum Daytona's diamond-bezel sibling — pavé dial, baguette-diamond bezel in place of the Cerachrom — on its own reference number, not a 116506 sub-variant.		The 116576TBR is the platinum Daytona's diamond-bezel sibling — pavé dial, baguette-diamond bezel in place of the Cerachrom — on its own reference number, not a 116506 sub-variant.
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	==Auction record==		==Auction record==

	The 116506 entered the auction record at ~~the same~~ Geneva sale ~~where Rolex marked the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary in public~~.		The 116506 entered the auction record at a Geneva sale held soon after its 2013 launch.

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"
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	! sale !! date !! lot detail !! result		! sale !! date !! lot detail !! result
	\|-		\|-
	\| Christie's, "Lesson One", Geneva \|\| 10 November 2013 \|\| lot 50, 'The Nine-Fifty Tribute', full-set; estimate CHF 80,000-120,000 \|\| hammer CHF 197,000 (approx. USD 217,000 at the day's rate). The first 116506 to cross an auction block~~; placed~~ the ~~platinum Daytona at roughly twice its retail on the day it became publicly tradeable. Per Watchonista and Richard Lee (SJX)~~.		\| Christie's, "Lesson One", Geneva \|\| 10 November 2013 \|\| lot 50, 'The Nine-Fifty Tribute', full-set; estimate CHF 80,000-120,000 \|\| hammer CHF 197,000 (approx. USD 217,000 at the day's rate). The first 116506 to cross an auction block, according to the cited sale coverage.
	\|-		\|-
	\| Sotheby's Important Watches \|\| 2020 \|\| case 288CN710, c.2013 production, standard 116506-0001 with full-set documentation \|\| Anchors the early-production ice-blue / chestnut configuration in the auction record.		\| Sotheby's Important Watches \|\| 2020 \|\| case 288CN710, c.2013 production, standard 116506-0001 with full-set documentation \|\| Anchors the early-production ice-blue / chestnut configuration in the auction record.
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	See also the [[Reference:daytona\|Daytona family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].		See also the [[Reference:daytona\|Daytona family index]], [[Reference:Movements\|movement reference]], [[Reference:Bracelets\|bracelet & clasp guide]], and [[Reference:Serial-numbers\|serial numbers by year]].

	~~== Gallery ==~~

	<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">		<gallery mode="packed" heights="180">
	Ref 116506 hero.webp\|Platinum 116506 with ice-blue dial and chestnut bezel		File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|Platinum 116506 with ice-blue dial and chestnut bezel
	Ref 116506 dial.webp\|Standard ice-blue dial		File:Ref 116506 dial.webp\|Standard ice-blue dial
	Ref 116506 historical-example.webp\|Auction example with provenance		File:Ref 116506 historical-example.webp\|Auction example with provenance
	</gallery>		</gallery>

Klaudiusz: Deep correctness, source, image and anti-slop audit: qualified production, dial, meteorite, movement, bezel, bracelet and auction claims, cleaned related links, and added gallery.

2026-09-28T17:13:32Z

Deep correctness, source, image and anti-slop audit: qualified production, dial, meteorite, movement, bezel, bracelet and auction claims, cleaned related links, and added gallery.

Show changes

Klaudiusz: Image: source landscape hero from Bonhams Hong Kong Watches lot 809; move prior hero into dial map section

2026-09-13T17:36:44Z

Image: source landscape hero from Bonhams Hong Kong Watches lot 809; move prior hero into dial map section

← Older revision		Revision as of 17:36, 13 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=116506 ice-blue dial ~~with~~ chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, ~~950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet~~\|116506 ~~ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel~~, ~~950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet~~]]		[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=116506 resting on its box and papers, ice-blue dial and chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel visible, guarantee card confirming model 116506\|116506 resting on its box and papers, guarantee card confirming the reference]]
	</div>		</div>

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	The ice-blue lacquer is the unifying feature across every 116506 dial. Rolex reserves the ice-blue colour exclusively for its platinum references — the same dial colour appears on the platinum Day-Date and platinum GMT-Master II, and never on a steel, gold, or two-tone Rolex. On the 116506 the ice-blue ground is paired with chestnut-toned subdial rings that match the bezel, and applied indices in white gold rather than the yellow-gold or two-tone applied indices found on the cal-4130 gold references. Subdial graphics carry through the standard Daytona layout: running seconds at six, 30-minute counter at three, 12-hour counter at nine.		The ice-blue lacquer is the unifying feature across every 116506 dial. Rolex reserves the ice-blue colour exclusively for its platinum references — the same dial colour appears on the platinum Day-Date and platinum GMT-Master II, and never on a steel, gold, or two-tone Rolex. On the 116506 the ice-blue ground is paired with chestnut-toned subdial rings that match the bezel, and applied indices in white gold rather than the yellow-gold or two-tone applied indices found on the cal-4130 gold references. Subdial graphics carry through the standard Daytona layout: running seconds at six, 30-minute counter at three, 12-hour counter at nine.

			[[File:Ref 116506 dial.webp\|thumb\|right\|280px\|alt=116506 ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, straight-on view\|Straight-on view of the ice-blue dial and chestnut Cerachrom bezel, showing the standard 116506-0001 configuration]]

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable"

Admin: Layout: restore the original lead caption

2026-09-06T22:57:38Z

Layout: restore the original lead caption

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:57, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=~~Rolex~~ 116506 ~~Daytona~~\|~~Rolex~~ 116506 ~~Daytona~~]]		[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=116506 ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet\|116506 ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero refreshed

2026-09-06T22:51:34Z

Layout: hero refreshed

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:51, 6 September 2026
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	<div class="rp-lead">		<div class="rp-lead">
	[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=116506 ~~ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet~~\|116506 ~~ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet~~]]		[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=Rolex 116506 Daytona\|Rolex 116506 Daytona]]
	</div>		</div>

Admin: Layout: hero promoted to lead

2026-09-06T22:26:45Z

Layout: hero promoted to lead

← Older revision		Revision as of 22:26, 6 September 2026
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	<small>[[Reference:daytona\|Daytona]] › '''116506'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:daytona\|Daytona]] › '''116506'''</small>

			<div class="rp-lead">
			[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|center\|640px\|alt=116506 ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet\|116506 ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet]]
			</div>

	The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex unveiled it at Baselworld 2013 to mark the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary, and it ran from that launch through to its discontinuation in March 2023, when the 126506 took over with caliber 4131 and a sapphire caseback. Case and bracelet are 950 platinum, the dial is the ice-blue lacquer Rolex reserves for its platinum references, and the bezel is a chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc with its tachymeter scale deposited in platinum by PVD. Inside is caliber 4130, unchanged from the steel and gold references of the same generation. The Everose-gold 116515LN had already brought Cerachrom to the Cosmograph in 2011; the 116506 made the ceramic bezel part of the platinum anniversary configuration.		The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex unveiled it at Baselworld 2013 to mark the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary, and it ran from that launch through to its discontinuation in March 2023, when the 126506 took over with caliber 4131 and a sapphire caseback. Case and bracelet are 950 platinum, the dial is the ice-blue lacquer Rolex reserves for its platinum references, and the bezel is a chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc with its tachymeter scale deposited in platinum by PVD. Inside is caliber 4130, unchanged from the steel and gold references of the same generation. The Everose-gold 116515LN had already brought Cerachrom to the Cosmograph in 2011; the 116506 made the ceramic bezel part of the platinum anniversary configuration.
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	The watch press came to Baselworld expecting a redesigned anniversary Daytona and got a colour scheme instead. Richard Lee's launch coverage at SJX records the question circulating the halls that week — what was going on with the blue and brown. Robert-Jan Broer's Fratello piece from the same week reads the decision as Rolex leaving the 40mm Cosmograph alone and putting it in 950 platinum with a palette no Rolex chronograph had carried before. The combination has since become one of the most recognisable in the modern Daytona catalogue.		The watch press came to Baselworld expecting a redesigned anniversary Daytona and got a colour scheme instead. Richard Lee's launch coverage at SJX records the question circulating the halls that week — what was going on with the blue and brown. Robert-Jan Broer's Fratello piece from the same week reads the decision as Rolex leaving the 40mm Cosmograph alone and putting it in 950 platinum with a palette no Rolex chronograph had carried before. The combination has since become one of the most recognisable in the modern Daytona catalogue.

	[[File:Ref 116506 hero.webp\|thumb\|right\|250px\|alt=116506 platinum Daytona ice blue dial chestnut bezel\|116506 ice-blue dial with chestnut Cerachrom monobloc bezel, 950 platinum case and Oyster bracelet]]

	==Core facts==		==Core facts==

Admin: site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

2026-09-05T01:19:31Z

site-wide: layout classes (core-facts card, breadcrumb, entry-point cards)

← Older revision		Revision as of 01:19, 5 September 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:daytona\|Daytona]] -> '''116506'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:daytona\|Daytona]] › '''116506'''</small>

	The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex unveiled it at Baselworld 2013 to mark the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary, and it ran from that launch through to its discontinuation in March 2023, when the 126506 took over with caliber 4131 and a sapphire caseback. Case and bracelet are 950 platinum, the dial is the ice-blue lacquer Rolex reserves for its platinum references, and the bezel is a chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc with its tachymeter scale deposited in platinum by PVD. Inside is caliber 4130, unchanged from the steel and gold references of the same generation. The Everose-gold 116515LN had already brought Cerachrom to the Cosmograph in 2011; the 116506 made the ceramic bezel part of the platinum anniversary configuration.		The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex unveiled it at Baselworld 2013 to mark the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary, and it ran from that launch through to its discontinuation in March 2023, when the 126506 took over with caliber 4131 and a sapphire caseback. Case and bracelet are 950 platinum, the dial is the ice-blue lacquer Rolex reserves for its platinum references, and the bezel is a chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc with its tachymeter scale deposited in platinum by PVD. Inside is caliber 4130, unchanged from the steel and gold references of the same generation. The Everose-gold 116515LN had already brought Cerachrom to the Cosmograph in 2011; the 116506 made the ceramic bezel part of the platinum anniversary configuration.
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	==Core facts==		==Core facts==

	{\| class="wikitable"		{\| class="wikitable rp-facts"
	\|-		\|-
	! detail !! value		! detail !! value

Admin: site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

2026-09-05T00:35:37Z

site-wide: domain move BezelBase → Rolexopedia (rolexopedia.net)

← Older revision		Revision as of 00:35, 5 September 2026
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	{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 116506 Daytona}}		{{DISPLAYTITLE:Rolex 116506 Daytona}}
	{{#seo:		{{#seo:
	\|title=Rolex 116506 Daytona — Platinum 50th Anniversary, Ice Blue Dial, Chestnut Cerachrom \| ~~BezelBase~~		\|title=Rolex 116506 Daytona — Platinum 50th Anniversary, Ice Blue Dial, Chestnut Cerachrom \| Rolexopedia
	\|description=The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 — the first platinum Daytona, launched at Baselworld 2013 for the model's 50th anniversary. 950 platinum case and bracelet, ice-blue dial, chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc bezel, caliber 4130. Standard, baguette-diamond, and Arabic-numeral sub-variants.		\|description=The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 — the first platinum Daytona, launched at Baselworld 2013 for the model's 50th anniversary. 950 platinum case and bracelet, ice-blue dial, chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc bezel, caliber 4130. Standard, baguette-diamond, and Arabic-numeral sub-variants.
	\|keywords=Rolex, 116506, Daytona, Cosmograph, platinum, 50th anniversary, ice blue, chestnut Cerachrom, caliber 4130, reference guide		\|keywords=Rolex, 116506, Daytona, Cosmograph, platinum, 50th anniversary, ice blue, chestnut Cerachrom, caliber 4130, reference guide

Admin: Style: normalise breadcrumb arrow to canonical '->' (reference-audit.md convention)

2026-08-09T23:45:51Z

Style: normalise breadcrumb arrow to canonical '->' (reference-audit.md convention)

← Older revision		Revision as of 23:45, 9 August 2026
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	}}		}}

	<small>[[Reference:daytona\|Daytona]] → '''116506'''</small>		<small>[[Reference:daytona\|Daytona]] -> '''116506'''</small>

	The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex unveiled it at Baselworld 2013 to mark the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary, and it ran from that launch through to its discontinuation in March 2023, when the 126506 took over with caliber 4131 and a sapphire caseback. Case and bracelet are 950 platinum, the dial is the ice-blue lacquer Rolex reserves for its platinum references, and the bezel is a chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc with its tachymeter scale deposited in platinum by PVD. Inside is caliber 4130, unchanged from the steel and gold references of the same generation. The Everose-gold 116515LN had already brought Cerachrom to the Cosmograph in 2011; the 116506 made the ceramic bezel part of the platinum anniversary configuration.		The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona. Rolex unveiled it at Baselworld 2013 to mark the Daytona's fiftieth anniversary, and it ran from that launch through to its discontinuation in March 2023, when the 126506 took over with caliber 4131 and a sapphire caseback. Case and bracelet are 950 platinum, the dial is the ice-blue lacquer Rolex reserves for its platinum references, and the bezel is a chestnut brown Cerachrom monobloc with its tachymeter scale deposited in platinum by PVD. Inside is caliber 4130, unchanged from the steel and gold references of the same generation. The Everose-gold 116515LN had already brought Cerachrom to the Cosmograph in 2011; the 116506 made the ceramic bezel part of the platinum anniversary configuration.

← Older revision		Revision as of 07:41, 29 September 2026
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	The 116506 is the first ~~regular-production~~ platinum Cosmograph Daytona, introduced at Baselworld 2013 for the model’s 50th anniversary. Earlier gem-set and special-order platinum Daytonas are a separate historical question and should not be conflated with this catalogue reference. It uses a 950-platinum case and bracelet, an ice-blue dial, a chestnut-brown Cerachrom bezel with platinum-coated tachymeter graduations, and caliber 4130. Rolex replaced it in the 2023 generation with the 126506 and caliber 4131. The Everose 116515LN had already introduced a ceramic-bezel Daytona; the 116506 applied the ceramic and platinum combination to the anniversary model.		The 116506 is the first platinum Cosmograph Daytona listed as a regular catalogue model, introduced at Baselworld 2013 for the model’s 50th anniversary. Earlier gem-set and special-order platinum Daytonas are a separate historical question and should not be conflated with this catalogue reference. It uses a 950-platinum case and bracelet, an ice-blue dial, a chestnut-brown Cerachrom bezel with platinum-coated tachymeter graduations, and caliber 4130. Rolex replaced it in the 2023 generation with the 126506 and caliber 4131. The Everose 116515LN had already introduced a ceramic-bezel Daytona; the 116506 applied the ceramic and platinum combination to the anniversary model.

	The blue-and-brown color scheme was the focus of contemporary launch coverage. It is a catalogue description, not a claim that every 116506 dial or bezel detail remained unchanged throughout the run.		The blue-and-brown color scheme was the focus of contemporary launch coverage. It is a catalogue description, not a claim that every 116506 dial or bezel detail remained unchanged throughout the run.
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	Caliber 4130 is the same in-house chronograph movement Rolex launched in 2000 on the 116520, carried across every cal-4130-generation Daytona reference for twenty-three years. A column wheel handles start-stop-reset, a vertical clutch engages the chronograph, and the balance runs on a blue Parachrom hairspring at 28,800 vph across 44 jewels with a 72-hour reserve. CaliberCorner records the 290-part construction and ceramic reversing-wheel bearings; Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' (Morning Tundra) lists the same core caliber specifications.		Caliber 4130 is the same in-house chronograph movement Rolex launched in 2000 on the 116520, carried across every cal-4130-generation Daytona reference for twenty-three years. A column wheel handles start-stop-reset, a vertical clutch engages the chronograph, and the balance runs on a blue Parachrom hairspring at 28,800 vph across 44 jewels with a 72-hour reserve. CaliberCorner records the 290-part construction and ceramic reversing-wheel bearings; Colin A. White's ''The Vintage Rolex Field Manual'' (Morning Tundra) lists the same core caliber specifications.

	The solid platinum caseback hides the movement, as on every cal-4130 Daytona; Rolex never produced a sapphire-caseback variant in this generation. ~~Set against twenty-three years of closed backs, the~~ 126506's display caseback ~~reads as~~ a ~~generational reset rather than a routine refresh, which is how Fratello's side-by-side comparison treats it~~.		The solid platinum caseback hides the movement, as on every cal-4130 Daytona; Rolex never produced a sapphire-caseback variant in this generation. The 126506 introduced a display caseback with the 4131 generation; the 116506 uses a solid caseback.

	Servicing follows the same intervals and procedures as the rest of the cal-4130 line, and nothing in the caliber changed for the platinum case. For the full caliber lineage see [[Reference:Movements#cal-4130]].		Servicing follows the same intervals and procedures as the rest of the cal-4130 line, and nothing in the caliber changed for the platinum case. For the full caliber lineage see [[Reference:Movements#cal-4130]].
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	==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown==		==Case, bezel, crystal, and crown==

	The case is 950 platinum at 40mm, around 12.5mm thick, brushed across the top surfaces and polished on the flanks. ~~SJX's~~ launch piece records ~~how~~ the ~~metal behaves —~~ heavier than the steel and gold cases of the 116520 and 116528 generation~~, more malleable than steel, softer to surface marking than gold~~. ~~Bexsonn's~~ coverage ~~from the same week~~ notes ~~that Rolex finished the platinum to~~ the same brushed-and-polished ~~tolerances as the steel 116520, so~~ the case ~~reads in proportion to its siblings instead of as a differentiated profile~~. Lug geometry and case dimensions match the 40mm Daytona case Rolex had been refining since 2000.		The case is 950 platinum at 40mm, around 12.5mm thick, brushed across the top surfaces and polished on the flanks. SJX’s launch piece records the platinum case as heavier than the steel and gold cases of the 116520 and 116528 generation. Bexsonn’s coverage notes the same brushed-and-polished treatment used across the Daytona case family. Lug geometry and case dimensions match the 40mm Daytona case Rolex had been refining since 2000.

	The Cerachrom bezel is the principal visible material change. Rolex fires the chestnut ring as a monobloc, tachymeter graduations included, then deposits the numerals and graduations as a thin layer of platinum through PVD. The ceramic color is produced during manufacture; Rolex describes Cerachrom as resistant to UV-related fading and corrosion. Condition still has to be checked on the individual bezel. The tachymeter scale runs around the upper case, framed by polished platinum casework at the bezel edge. Logan Baker's Phillips editorial places the 116506 third in the Cerachrom rollout, behind the GMT-Master II and the precious-metal Daytona references that took the material before it.		The Cerachrom bezel is the principal visible material change. Rolex fires the chestnut ring as a monobloc, tachymeter graduations included, then deposits the numerals and graduations as a thin layer of platinum through PVD. The ceramic color is produced during manufacture; Rolex describes Cerachrom as resistant to UV-related fading and corrosion. Condition still has to be checked on the individual bezel. The tachymeter scale runs around the upper case, framed by polished platinum casework at the bezel edge. Logan Baker's Phillips editorial places the 116506 third in the Cerachrom rollout, behind the GMT-Master II and the precious-metal Daytona references that took the material before it.
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	==Bracelets, end links, and clasps==		==Bracelets, end links, and clasps==

	The bracelet is a 950 platinum Oyster, three-link, with brushed centre links and polished outer links, fitted with solid end links integral to the case. Rolex ~~did not produce~~ the 116506 on a ~~strap; every example shipped on the~~ matching platinum Oyster~~, and that~~ bracelet ~~is what gives the~~ watch its ~~on-wrist mass~~. The Sotheby's 2020 Important Watches lot of a 2013-production 116506 (case 288CN710) records the platinum Oyster as the original delivery configuration, and the cited Sotheby's lots show the same bracelet pairing.		The bracelet is a 950 platinum Oyster, three-link, with brushed centre links and polished outer links, fitted with solid end links integral to the case. Rolex catalogues the 116506 on a matching platinum Oyster bracelet. A strap or bracelet on an individual watch still needs to be checked against its papers and service history. The Sotheby's 2020 Important Watches lot of a 2013-production 116506 (case 288CN710) records the platinum Oyster as the original delivery configuration, and the cited Sotheby's lots show the same bracelet pairing.

	The clasp is the modern Oysterlock with the Easylink 5mm comfort extension — the same lever-and-keeper micro-adjustment system Rolex rolled across the cal-4130 Daytona line in the early 2000s, executed here in 950 platinum. The Glidelock toolless extension that arrived on the ceramic Submariner generation in 2010 never crossed onto the Daytona, so Easylink is the only on-bracelet adjustment the 116506 ever offered. The 126506 reworked the Oysterlock mechanism, which leaves the 116506 as the last platinum Daytona carrying the older clasp design. End-link references and clasp date codes follow the modern Daytona conventions catalogued at [[Reference:Bracelets]].		The clasp is the modern Oysterlock with the Easylink 5mm comfort extension — the same lever-and-keeper micro-adjustment system Rolex rolled across the cal-4130 Daytona line in the early 2000s, executed here in 950 platinum. The Glidelock toolless extension that arrived on the ceramic Submariner generation in 2010 never crossed onto the Daytona, so Easylink is the only on-bracelet adjustment the 116506 ever offered. The 126506 reworked the Oysterlock mechanism, which leaves the 116506 as the last platinum Daytona carrying the older clasp design. End-link references and clasp date codes follow the modern Daytona conventions catalogued at [[Reference:Bracelets]].
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	The 116576TBR is the platinum Daytona's diamond-bezel sibling — pavé dial, baguette-diamond bezel in place of the Cerachrom — on its own reference number, not a 116506 sub-variant.		The 116576TBR is the platinum Daytona's diamond-bezel sibling — pavé dial, baguette-diamond bezel in place of the Cerachrom — on its own reference number, not a 116506 sub-variant.

	Double-signed and retailer-engraved 116506 examples have surfaced occasionally, but the reference's high retail and the 950 platinum mass kept the special-order branch narrow. ~~Production~~ volumes for ~~any of~~ the sub-references ~~are not published by Rolex~~, and ~~no collector~~ census ~~has surfaced~~.		Double-signed and retailer-engraved 116506 examples have surfaced occasionally, but the reference's high retail and the 950 platinum mass kept the special-order branch narrow. Rolex has not published production volumes for the sub-references, and the public record does not provide a complete census.

	==Auction record==		==Auction record==
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	\| Sotheby's Important Watches \|\| 2020 \|\| case 288CN710, c.2013 production, standard 116506-0001 with full-set documentation \|\| Anchors the early-production ice-blue / chestnut configuration in the auction record.		\| Sotheby's Important Watches \|\| 2020 \|\| case 288CN710, c.2013 production, standard 116506-0001 with full-set documentation \|\| Anchors the early-production ice-blue / chestnut configuration in the auction record.
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	\| Sotheby's Important Watches \|\| 2021 \|\| brand-new 116506 with full-set documentation; estimate USD 100,000-150,000 \|\| ~~Sold during the Daytona allocation~~-~~premium peak~~.		\| Sotheby's Important Watches \|\| 2021 \|\| brand-new 116506 with full-set documentation; estimate USD 100,000-150,000 \|\| The published result is included as a contemporary full-set sale record.
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	\| Sotheby's Important Watches I \|\| 2022 \|\| c.2019 116506 with baguette-diamond markers (sub-reference 0008) \|\| Anchors the diamond-set ice-blue variant in the auction record.		\| Sotheby's Important Watches I \|\| 2022 \|\| c.2019 116506 with baguette-diamond markers (sub-reference 0008) \|\| Anchors the diamond-set ice-blue variant in the auction record.