When, in 2013, Rolex marked the Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona’s 50th anniversary by unveiling the ref. 116506, the watch community was stunned. A new Daytona is always news, but this one was something special: the first platinum Daytona ever to appear in the brand’s official catalogue. It wasn’t just another configuration or incremental update — it was a milestone, a celebration of the very best Rolex could offer.
More than ten years on, the 116506 remains a true icon, one of the most intriguing Rolex releases of recent decades: equal parts technical achievement, design icon, and refined status symbol.
With the 116506 model, Rolex didn’t just dabble in platinum; they went all in. The entire case and bracelet are made from 950 platinum, a material that boasts a density 34% greater than 18ct white gold. The moment you pick it up, you realise this watch is not a typical Daytona. There’s a weight, a presence, an authority to platinum that even seasoned collectors find striking.
Platinum also behaves differently on the wrist. Unlike gold, which shows scratches more readily, platinum wears extremely well, displacing rather than removing material. Over time, this creates a distinctive patina — a soft, almost satiny sheen that many collectors consider part of platinum’s charm. The more you wear it, the more personality it gains.
If the weight doesn’t give the game away, the dial certainly will. Rolex reserves the Ice Blue dial exclusively for its platinum watches, including the Day-Date and certain Cellini models. It’s subtle but unmistakable — a quiet nod to those “in the know” that this is no ordinary Daytona. (As if any Daytona could be considered ordinary.)
On the 116506, that cool, crisp blue is complemented by chestnut brown “snailed” subdials and a matching Cerachrom ceramic tachymeter bezel. Brown may not seem like the most thrilling colour on paper, but the execution here is exceptional. The rich, almost metallic warmth of the bezel plays beautifully against the frosty dial, creating a contrast that feels both luxurious and unexpected. It’s a colour pairing that shouldn’t work as well as it does — and yet it’s precisely what gives this reference its character.
The example we currently have in stock is even more special, as the factory-set baguette diamond hour markers add another layer of luxury to an already remarkable watch.
Powering the Rolex 116506 is their legendary Calibre 4130, introduced in 2000 and still regarded as one of the most reliable and efficient chronograph movements ever made. Although it wasn’t new at the time of this reference’s release, it represented a major leap forward when it first arrived.
The 4130 was the debut home for Rolex’s Parachrom hairspring, crafted from a niobium-zirconium alloy that grants the movement impressive resistance to temperature swings, shocks, and magnetic fields. In 2005, Rolex further enhanced the hairspring with an oxide coating, giving it its now-famous blue hue and extending its longevity.
With a 72-hour power reserve, 44 jewels, and a frequency of 28,800vph, the movement delivers the accuracy, endurance, and refinement enthusiasts associate with Rolex — along with that ultra-smooth chronograph sweep.
Although the 116506 is recognised as the first platinum Daytona officially offered by Rolex, in 2020 Sotheby’s auctioned what appeared to be a unique platinum Daytona with a blue lapis dial from 1999 — a custom piece later confirmed to be one of four made for the same family. The existence and rarity of these extraordinary 1999 platinum Daytonas illustrate the importance of platinum to Rolex and explain the brand’s uncompromising commitment to the creation of the 116506. As a result, it remains the first and only platinum Daytona produced as a regular catalogue model.
More than a decade after its introduction, the Rolex Daytona 116506 remains a grail watch for many collectors — not just for its rarity, but for what it represents. By leaning into a material historically reserved for its most prestigious pieces and pairing it with one of its most iconic sports watches, Rolex created a truly extravagant timepiece.
The result is a Daytona that feels timeless yet distinct — a model that immediately stands apart from its steel or gold counterparts.
If there was ever a modern Daytona that fuses 50 years of racing heritage with the enduring craftsmanship of the brand itself, the 116506 is it.
For collectors considering other platinum Daytona options, we currently have several outstanding examples available.
2015 Rolex 116506 Platinum Daytona Ice Blue Diamond Baguette
https://swisstimepieces.co.uk/products/rolex-116506-platinum-daytona-2/
2020 Rolex 116506 Platinum Daytona
https://swisstimepieces.co.uk/products/rolex-116506-platinum-daytona/
We are also pleased to offer the brand-new 2025 Rolex Daytona 126506 Platinum Ice Blue Diamond Baguette, representing the very latest evolution of Rolex’s platinum chronograph.
If you would like to discuss any of these watches in more detail, please call us on 01539 468057, or feel free to contact us via email or WhatsApp for personalised advice and current availability.
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