Reference:116518LN: Difference between revisions

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The case is 40mm in 18k yellow gold on the standard Oyster architecture: monobloc middle case, screw-down caseback, screw-down winding crown with the Triplock triple waterproofness system, and screw-down chronograph pushers. Water resistance is 100m / 330ft. Rolex publishes no case thickness for the reference.

The bezel is a single piece of black Cerachrom ceramic that holds the sapphire crystal against the middle case, ~~which is what "monobloc" means here — the bezel is structural, not an~~ insert in a metal ~~ring~~. The tachymetric scale is filled by depositing a thin layer of metal into the numerals by physical vapour deposition. Rolex's own description of the process has shifted over the reference's life. The 2017 launch page says "18 ct gold or platinum"; the 2022 pages for the same model codes say platinum only. On every Rolex image of the 116518LN the scale reads gold-toned, so the gold reading is the one the yellow gold watch supports.

The bezel is a single piece of black Cerachrom ceramic that holds the sapphire crystal against the middle case. In this usage, “monobloc” distinguishes it from a ceramic insert fitted into a separate metal bezel. The tachymetric scale is filled by depositing a thin layer of metal into the numerals by physical vapour deposition. Rolex's own description of the process has shifted over the reference's life. The 2017 launch page says "18 ct gold or platinum"; the 2022 pages for the same model codes say platinum only. On every Rolex image of the 116518LN the scale reads gold-toned, so the gold reading is the one the yellow gold watch supports.

Rolex also changed how it described the scale itself, from "engraved tachymetric scale" in the 2017 to 2019 spec grids to "moulded tachymetric scale" by 2022. Phillips has continued to catalogue it as engraved. The bezel did not change; the wording did.

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The clasp is an 18k yellow gold folding Oysterlock safety clasp with the Easylink 5mm comfort extension, so the strap adjusts by a full link's worth without tools. No Glidelock and no Oyster bracelet were offered for the reference. For the wider Daytona bracelet and clasp chronology, see [[Reference:Bracelets]].

~~Elastomer ages differently from metal. The strap is a wear item,~~ and ~~a 116518LN that has been worn regularly for several years will often be on~~ its ~~second strap, with the original gold~~ clasp ~~carried across. Clasp and strap have to~~ be ~~assessed~~ separately from the watch head.

Oysterflex and its clasp should be inspected separately from the watch head. A replacement strap or clasp does not by itself date the case or establish original delivery.

==Special branches==

@@ Line 194: / Line 194: @@
 The case is 40mm in 18k yellow gold on the standard Oyster architecture: monobloc middle case, screw-down caseback, screw-down winding crown with the Triplock triple waterproofness system, and screw-down chronograph pushers. Water resistance is 100m / 330ft. Rolex publishes no case thickness for the reference.
-The bezel is a single piece of black Cerachrom ceramic that holds the sapphire crystal against the middle case, which is what "monobloc" means here — the bezel is structural, not an insert in a metal ring. The tachymetric scale is filled by depositing a thin layer of metal into the numerals by physical vapour deposition. Rolex's own description of the process has shifted over the reference's life. The 2017 launch page says "18 ct gold or platinum"; the 2022 pages for the same model codes say platinum only. On every Rolex image of the 116518LN the scale reads gold-toned, so the gold reading is the one the yellow gold watch supports.
+The bezel is a single piece of black Cerachrom ceramic that holds the sapphire crystal against the middle case. In this usage, “monobloc” distinguishes it from a ceramic insert fitted into a separate metal bezel. The tachymetric scale is filled by depositing a thin layer of metal into the numerals by physical vapour deposition. Rolex's own description of the process has shifted over the reference's life. The 2017 launch page says "18 ct gold or platinum"; the 2022 pages for the same model codes say platinum only. On every Rolex image of the 116518LN the scale reads gold-toned, so the gold reading is the one the yellow gold watch supports.
 Rolex also changed how it described the scale itself, from "engraved tachymetric scale" in the 2017 to 2019 spec grids to "moulded tachymetric scale" by 2022. Phillips has continued to catalogue it as engraved. The bezel did not change; the wording did.
@@ Line 205: / Line 205: @@
 The clasp is an 18k yellow gold folding Oysterlock safety clasp with the Easylink 5mm comfort extension, so the strap adjusts by a full link's worth without tools. No Glidelock and no Oyster bracelet were offered for the reference. For the wider Daytona bracelet and clasp chronology, see [[Reference:Bracelets]].
-Elastomer ages differently from metal. The strap is a wear item, and a 116518LN that has been worn regularly for several years will often be on its second strap, with the original gold clasp carried across. Clasp and strap have to be assessed separately from the watch head.
+Oysterflex and its clasp should be inspected separately from the watch head. A replacement strap or clasp does not by itself date the case or establish original delivery.
 ==Special branches==