Rolex Daytona 116523 White Dial

The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116523 with White Dial is a standout example of Rolex’s legendary chronograph, blending luxury materials with professional sports-timing capability in a timeless 40 mm package. Produced from the early 2000s until its discontinuation in 2016, this reference is crafted in Rolex’s Two-Tone Rolesor — combining 904L Oystersteel with 18k yellow gold on the fixed tachymeter bezel, crown, pushers, and center links of the Oyster bracelet. The crisp white dial serves as a clean backdrop for three chronograph sub-dials (small seconds at 6, 30-minute and 12-hour counters), and paired with luminous gold hands and applied indices, it delivers excellent legibility and a refined sporty character. The classic Daytona configuration evokes the model’s deep roots in motorsport and precision timekeeping.

Inside the 116523 beats Rolex’s in-house Calibre 4130 automatic chronograph movement, a Superlative Chronometer (COSC-certified) with about 72 hours of power reserve, a column-wheel chronograph, and Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring for enhanced stability and resistance to shocks and temperature variations. The tachymeter scale on the gold bezel allows precise measurement of average speed over distance — a nod to the Daytona’s racing heritage — while the 100 m water resistance and Oysterlock clasp with Easylink extension ensure practical comfort and durability for daily wear. The Two-Tone 116523 White Dial remains a favorite among collectors who appreciate Rolex’s blend of tool-watch performance and classic luxury styling.

Case Reference: 116523

Case Year: 2006

Dial: White - Luminova

Case: 40mm - Stainless Steel

Bracelet: 18K Yellow Gold and Stainless Steel Bracelet

Movement: 4130 – Automatic - Serviced by Rolex in 2016

Glass: Sapphire

Lug Width: 20mm

Functions: Hours, Minutes, Seconds, Chronograph

Box and Papers: No box or papers - Rolex Service papers included

Bracelet size: 7.25”

Case has minimal wear. Bracelet has minimal micro wear on gold center links. Dial, hands, and crystal have no wear. Watch was serviced by Rolex in 2016.

Rolex was founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, before moving to Geneva in 1919 to be closer to the heart of Swiss watchmaking. From the start, Wilsdorf envisioned a wristwatch that was not only elegant, but also precise and reliable—an ambitious goal at a time when pocket watches dominated. Rolex went on to pioneer key innovations in horology, including the first officially certified chronometer wristwatch, the Oyster case (the world’s first waterproof wristwatch), and the Perpetual rotor—the self-winding mechanism that became the standard for modern automatic watches. These technical breakthroughs laid the foundation for Rolex’s enduring reputation for rugged luxury and mechanical excellence.

Today, Rolex is arguably the most recognized name in watches, with models like the Submariner, Daytona, Datejust, and GMT-Master becoming cultural icons in their own right. Whether tied to deep-sea exploration, motorsport, aviation, or mountain summits, each model reflects the brand’s commitment to performance and precision under extreme conditions. The brand’s status is bolstered by its unmatched consistency in design, rigorous in-house testing, and long-standing associations with exploration, sport, and achievement. For collectors and enthusiasts, Rolex represents more than a timepiece—it’s a benchmark of mechanical reliability, timeless design, and global prestige.