Review of the SS Daytona (Ref. 116520)

[SPACE-DWELLER]

The Daytona with the in-house movement Cal. 4130 was introduced at the Basel World Fair in year 2000.

The predecessor was the Daytona with modified Zenith El Primero movt. Cal. 4030 (introduced in 1988). Rolex heavily modified the Zenith E.P. movt., and besides other modifications, Rolex altered the bpH (beats per hour) count from 36,000 to 28,800 (from 5 to 4 Hertz). Only about half of the parts of the original Zenith E.P. movt. were untouched after the modification (source: "Chronos", 4/2000).

Rolex had been working on launching the new in-house movt. LONG before year 2000. Already on October 31th. 1995, a patent with drawings of parts of the movt. construction was applied for (Swiss patent number CH199 5000003077), and on October 29th. 1996, Rolex applied for further patents of the movt. (US patent number 5.793.708). (Source: "Chronos", 4/2000).

Now to the Daytona 116520.

CASE::

The Daytona movt. is held in an Oyster case with Triplock crown and two screw-down chronograph pushers. WR is 100 metres. The screw-down feature of the chronograph button acts as lock nuts to prevent unintentional activation under water.

Here is a pic of the crown and pushers:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00343.jpg

The sapphire crystal stands rather high. A detail that I like since it makes the watch look more "old-fashioned":

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00344.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00231.jpg

Some interesting details of the chrono pushers are that:

1) the pushers on the predecessor, the "Zenith" Daytona, were not placed at 90 degree angle, but slightly off-angle.
But on the new Daytona, the pushers are placed at a perfect 90 degree angle compared to the case:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/Chronobuttons.jpg

2) the "feel" and sound of the chronograph buttons being activated was in fact perfected by Rolex engineers by simulating the "right" sound and feel via computer aided design programs (source: Rolex website! Chronograph functions! (CLICK!) (http://www.rolex.com/en/#/en/xml/collection/extraordinary-watches/cosmograph-daytona/features/chronograph-functions)

The case also has a fixed "tachymetre" scale (but does not say " tachymetre" but "Units per hour"):

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00351.jpg

I will turn back to the bezel later under the "Legibility" section.

BRACELET:

The total of links on the new Daytona is 13 (5 on the six side and 8 on the zwelve side).

The bracelet now has SOLID centre links, and the clasp has been improved by introducing a much more solid construction. The clasp has NO "Oyster" pattern as the predecessor Daytona bracelet had, but has an "Easy Link" hidden inside the clasp. The "Easy Link" can be engaged quickly to compensate for a swollen wrist in hot or damp environment:

Clasp, polished centre part, no Oyster bracelet pattern:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00349.jpg

The Fliplock of the bracelet:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00348.jpg

The "Easy Link" disengaged (folded in):

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00347.jpg

(note how elegantly it is made. You'd not think that there is an "Easy Link"!).

The "Easy Link" engaged (folded out):

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00346.jpg

(note the pin inside the "Easy Link" that can be moved to one of the three hidden holes to make further clasp adjustments).

There is also a spring loaded pin just under the Fliplock. That pin makes sure that the Fliplock snaps into place perfectly:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00232.jpg

There is ONE disadvantage of the "Easy Link", though:

When you never fold it out, the underside of the clasp scratches the polished centre link that leans against it:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00292.jpg

The inside of the clasp caries TWO types of Rolex logos:

The "RM No. 644" Rolex S.A. (Sociedad Anómina) logo, and the "RM No. 21424" - "Swirled Rolex" logo:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00345.jpg

Besides that, the clasp says "Steel Inox" (steel 904L), E05 (date code for clasp. See more about those codes here! (CLICK!) (http://www.oysterworld.de/1/index.htm) , "Geneva Swiss Made" and lastly the bracelet ref. No. (78490).

Here is an overview over the Rolex logos used by Rolex:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/severalrolexRM.jpg

DIAL:

The arrangement of the subsidiary dials of the new Daytona has been changed mainly because of the construction of the new in-house movt. Cal. 4130. The new movement is of the socalled "Hunter" style (continously running second's hand at six o' clock) as compared to the "Lépine" style of the predecessor "Zenith" Daytona that has the continously running second's hand at 9 o' clock (source: this article! (CLICK!) (http://www.watchtime.com/archive/wt_2001_05/WT_2001_05_042.pdf)

So now the subsidiary dials for the chronograph (hours and minutes) are lying on the same axis. Furthermore, the subdials at 9 and 3 were moved up by 7 % compared to the "Zenith" Daytona dial arrangement:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/16520_116520.jpg

Further changes were bigger indices (hour markers) and - with the late F-series - also the socalled "Fat Hands" instead of "Skinny Hands" that were seen on the "Zenith" Daytona and the first examples of the Daytona with in-house movt. (see more about the difference here! (CLICK!) (http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/articles/6.html)

An interesting note:

Chronographs being able to measure time with 1/10 accuracy will have a seconds trail with FIVE small lines between every whole second. The Zenith El Primero with its 36,000 bpH is the only automatic movement that has this chronograph accuracy. Since Rolex tuned the bpH down to 28,800, giving the chronograph an accuracy of 1/8 seconds, actually the seconds trail should have been changed to FOUR small lines between every whole second! But I guess most - even us WIS - can live with that "imperfection".

The chronograph hand is standing EXACTLY at 12 o' clock when reset, very nice! (on the pic the minuterie of 5 can also be seen):

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00350.jpg

The dial printing (font) is VERY crisp, and the subsidiary dials have a beautiful concentric pattern:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00307.jpg

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00306.jpg

MOVEMENT:

The Cal. 4130 movement has a power reserve of 72 hours when the chronograph is not running and 66 hours when the chronograph is running continously. The "Zenith" Daytona had a power reserve of 54 / 47 hours respectively. Also, the new in-house movts. winds up 68 % faster (by wrist movement on its own) than the "Zenith" Daytona.

The Cal. 4130 now has the Parachrom Blue hairspring that is impervious to the influence of magnetic fields and is also not affected by temperature changes. (read more about the PB hairspring here! (CLICK!) (http://www.timezone.com/library/extras/200708222443)).

PRECISION:

The new in-house is considered to be among the ten BEST movts. EVER made (source: this article! (CLICK!) (http://www.rolexreferencepage.com/articles/4.html), and the main contributor to the amazing precision of the new Daytona movts. is without doubt the Parachrom Bleu hairspring.

My Daytona 116520 went 1 sec. slow, but I had it regulated, and now - 14 days after the regulation - it is still absolutely spot on!

Here is a pic of the Cal. 4130 movt.:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/Kal4130.jpg

And with almost every part taken out:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/WhatIsThis.jpg

LEGIBILY:

Due to the "Fat Hands" and larger hour markers, the new Daytona is VERY easy to tell the time from. Also, the more logical arrangement of the subsidiary dials of the chronograph is a big help when telling the time.

Furthermore, the lume is very good (and lasts a whole night long when well "charged"):

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00352.jpg

The BEZEL, however, is very shiny and makes the engraved numbers hard to see:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00350.jpg

There are further advantages of the new in-house Cal. 4130 movts. compared to the "Zenith" Daytona movt. To name a few:

1) Easier to service due to the construction where the chronograph area and the winding area are each under its own bridge.

2) Increased power reserve and better balance construction.

3) "Hacking" seconds feature (i.e. you can halt the second's hands by pulling out the winding crown to its last position to synchronise with another time source. You could not halt the continously running second's hand on the "Zenith" Daytona movt.

4) More solid construction of the clasp and bracelet.

Now - after having typed all this - I need a Dry Martini Cocktail!

Cheers, guys and gals! :cheers:

http://i162.photobucket.com/albums/t245/Wiseled/Daytona/DSC00226.jpg

[ashu2289]

Superb review Bo:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
One of the best reviews of Daytona I've ever read :cheers::cheers::cheers:
Keep it up pal!!!Excellent work:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[KansaiVet]

Superb review Bo:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:
One of the best reviews of Daytona I've ever read :cheers::cheers::cheers:
Keep it up pal!!!Excellent work:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:



Absolutely agree! Nice job Bo! :thumbsup: :clap:

[walds11]

Great review Bo. Man, it makes me love my SS Daytona even more :)

[frostie]

Amazing review Bo. You did a great job. That's a lot of information and thanks for sharing with us :thumbsup: :cheers:

[sheldonsmith]

Great Review. Many thanks for posting it here. Even Balls-ier taking the back off. Great Review - Setting a new standard for reviews! Technical but not too arduous.

-Sheldon

[Tallboy]

Phenomenal write-up. This should be a "sticky". :thumbsup::cheers:

[sharif]

Outstanding pics, writeup, and technical review. It even ends with a wrist shot, and a fine beverage. Couldnt ask for anything more.

[JJ Irani]

Stupendous stuff, Bo. Sheer brilliance!! :clap::clap::clap:

[dgifted1]

Wow;

Now this is the reason to have a forum. Well written, excellent detail.

Keep up the good work.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Great Review. Many thanks for posting it here. Even Balls-ier taking the back off. Great Review - Setting a new standard for reviews! Technical but not too arduous.

-Sheldon

Thanks. But I did NOT remove the caseback of my SS Cos! :cheers:

The pictures of the movt. come from another source (www.oysterworld.com + pics from my Photobucket).

:cheers:

[Stef_Call]

Excellent review Bo. !! Thanks alot !!

[Hicks]

Great review with lots of interesting details I didn't know about until now.

I do hope you'll write an equally good review for your upcoming GMT II-c Bo! :thumbsup:

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Nah, cannot get much better than Sheldonsmith's reviews:

"16710 vs 116710 GMT"! CLICK (http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=23681) and

"Two Rolex GMT's"! CLICK! (http://members.aol.com/sheldons4/116710.htm)

But as far as I know a review of the Daytona was missing.

:cheers:

[Hicks]

Those are excellent reviews indeed!

[cully]

Thanks Bo
Excellent detailed review, stunning photos too. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

Cheers :cheers: Paul

[Ronin77]

Great Job, excelllent and complete review ;))

Best Regards
:thumbsup:

[BigHat]

Bo,
A nice treat for a new Cosmo owner in search of info. Appreciate the SIGNIFICANT effort you put forth to share your extensive knowledge of the subject.

:cheers:

[SSD]

Yes, when you see this crowd using words like "excellent", "brilliant", "superb" and "phenomenal" you know you did a great job! Even the friendliest forum in the world reserves those complements for the truly deserving. This review is easy to read, detailed and extremely well laid-out with photos and supporting graphics to boot. I enjoyed it tremendously, you obviously took a lot of time and effort for the research and layout. What a pleasure to be on this forum with all of you. Now if you guys would just stop making me want a Daytona even more than I already do...:agree:

:cheers:

[dannytam]

Hi Bo,
Thank you for the excellent review. Great pics and attention to details. Wonderful work. :thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

[Gemini34]

Beautiful Photos! Great review

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thanks for all the kind words! :cheers: :thumbsup:

[Robb]

That was a great review Bo!!

[Scooby]

That is a great review Bo. Thanks for the thoroughness. :thumbsup:

One question: In the section on the dial and, more specifically, the lines between second markers, you state that the old ones had 5 becaue of the 1/10 and the new, in-house one should have 4 due to it being 1/8 accurate. I see only 4 lines between the second markers in your closeup. Maybe I'm missing something, but shouldn't it be 4 for 1/10 and 3 for 1/8?

Either way, again, great review and great pictures.:clap:

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Yes, you are right about that. Just checked with a pic of a Zenith with an E.P. movt. (36,000 bpH), and is has 4 lines. I guess I need glasses! :banghead:

So the Daytona should have 3 lines to be correct.

:thumbsup:

14845

[CEG]

Truly OUTSTANDING Bo - very enjoyable even for a novice like me - thanks again, this forum is awesome thanks to the posts from people like yourself..

:cheers:

[Lol-x]

Excellent review Bo 10/10 :thumbsup:
Learned a lot from that :clap: :clap: :clap:
I didn't know Rolex had so so many logos for the clasp, it is really confusing.

[nabil nsouli]

You did a great job, thanks for the excellent review Bo,I Appreciate your effort in preparing this very good report.

Regards

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thanks, guys! :cheers:

[worktolivelife]

I'm sure that took time and thought! a genuine /valueable reference:cheers:

steve

[FanFromLakeMary]

Enlightening review - thank you for sharing your well-researched thoughts!:clap::clap:

[marshallr47]

Great review Bo. Makes me want to go out and buy another Daytona. Oh, wait a minute. I already did:dummy:.

[Letsgodiving]

Excellent review Bo. Very informative and well put together. It is people like you that keep me coming back. Great job! :thumbsup::thumbsup:

[jodaor]

Bo,

Very nice. Thanks for sharing....

I think the best part is how it ends with a Martini!

CHEERS to you!

-JODAOR

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Bo,

Very nice. Thanks for sharing....

I think the best part is how it ends with a Martini!

CHEERS to you!

-JODAOR

Yeah, I guess you can consider the Martini Shot a trade mark of mine! :rofl:

[frostie]

Yeah, I guess you can consider the Martini Shot a trade mark of mine! :rofl:

:chuckle:

[TARDIS]

Bo:

Your contributions to this forum always make very interesting and enlightening reading.
This review of the Daytona 116520 is exceptional and brillliantly put together with great photography.

Thank you for your time and effort:thumbsup::thumbsup:

Steve

BTW what is your Martini mix?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

I normally use Gordon's gin (98 %) and the rest is Dry Martini.

:cheers:

[directioneng]

Thanks Bo.

[TARDIS]

I normally use Gordon's gin (98 %) and the rest is Dry Martini.

:cheers:

That's a hell of a Martini Bo:joy:

I think the normal mix is 5 to one.

Danes like their beer twice the alcohol content of our beers as well!

[VESUVIO]

Great tread, very informative

[CPCC]

Thanks, fantastic thread.

[rpryan55]

This is exactly why I signed on to this forum. Thank you for your incredible work, Bo, and have a great New Year!

[diamonddatejust]

Very nice read. I think you should do a review on all the sport models and make it a sticky!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

If I get a Milgauss GV, I will make a review of it.

[ratmotortom]

Just read this review very carefully. Nicely done. Makes me like my new Daytona even more.

[kobieta]

Thanks Bro, it's very interesting!

[directioneng]

Bo

I removed one link (at 6 0'clock) from my Daytona SS. The link unscrewed perfectly with my SD Screwdriver.
I noticed that the screws have an external tube that slides over the screw and protects the link and the screw from wear. I didn't notice this on any of my other Rolex bracelets, DJ, DD, Sub, SD or GMT etc. Yours must be the same.
Perhaps you could add this to your review of the Daytona SS.

Eddie.

PS. The bracelet is now a perfect fit with the easy link springbar in the centre position.

Eddie

[directioneng]

By the way Bo.

There is only one correct way to make a Dry Martini.

1) Fill a chilled martini glass with cold Dry White Vermouth.

2) Pour it down the sink.

3) Refill the cold martini glass with Dry Gordons Gin from the freezer.

4) Add two green olives.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Interesting info, Eddie! :thumbsup:

Also on the Martini! :chuckle:

[Jedi]

Eddie, how's about pouring the vermouth into another chilled martini glass for a second dry martini rather than going straight into the gurgler??

[directioneng]

I would not use second hand Vermouth for a proper Martini - thank you.

[Arturo]

What a fabulous review in terms of form, content, and display. Rolex should hire you and pay you in watches Bo.

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thanks, Art!

[Jedi]

Oookay Eddie.. how about saving it for Coquielle St Jacque a'la Vermouth?? Baked scallops with a Vermouth sauce... :cheers:

Former cook here, and always looking to save on kitchen waste, seems silly but I consider the bar part of the kitchen :chuckle:

Wonder how my Daytona would fare in the kitchen...

[tandrup]

Bo,

Thanks for your review - as always: very informational. I learn a little bit every time I read your posts.

[directioneng]

Oookay Eddie.. how about saving it for Coquielle St Jacque a'la Vermouth?? Baked scallops with a Vermouth sauce... :cheers:

Former cook here, and always looking to save on kitchen waste, seems silly but I consider the bar part of the kitchen :chuckle:

Wonder how my Daytona would fare in the kitchen...

You are welcome in Adelaide any time - I will supply all the ingredients you require. :thumbsup: Did you say Coquilles......yum.

I keep my Daytona in the kitchen as I do most of the cooking at home....there is no such thing as a 'former' cook.

[TZL]

Great Article !

Reading it helped inspire the new SS Daytona sitting on my wrist today !

[topcat30093]

I have just read your great review Bo. As I am looking at buying one and I will certainly use your info, when making my descision.:thumbsup:
:cheers:

[bewithabob]

Thank you for an excellent review.

[CoJim]

Excellent review. I was never very attracted to the Daytona but after seeing your detailed photos and description of the movement I may have to consider one.

Thanks, Jim

[timackerman]

The Daytona really is a great looking watch isn't it!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thanks for the kind words! :thumbsup:

[andylee97]

nice, i want one now

[josh747]

Wow...I learned so much more about my daytona...Excellent work...

[Subdialler]

Great review Bo, you are 'the forum'!!!

[marshallr47]

Great read Bo. Thanks for sharing.

[bewithabob]

Bo- Thank you for the excellent, excellent review. Daytona is pure pleasure. Bob

[realestaterolex]

excellent review

[Terry Newton]

After looking at all of the pictures of the Daytona and the ones with the Meteorite dial and looking at Paul's with the black face and gold sub-dials it made me want to read this review. I have not really gotten in to the Daytona before this. After reading the review I understand a lot more about the watch and this has got to be one of the best reviews I've read. It ranks right up there with the reviews on the GMT.

Thanks a lot Bo. Great educational review :thumbsup:.

Terry Newton

[Clarence]

Thanks for bringing this to the surface.

I also admit i have never been fond of the Daytona, but it's growing on me!

Just bought the "Alpha" Daytona style watch, we'll see how much wrist time it gets....


BTW how big is the Daytona case?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Thanks for bringing this to the surface.

I also admit i have never been fond of the Daytona, but it's growing on me!

Just bought the "Alpha" Daytona style watch, we'll see how much wrist time it gets....


BTW how big is the Daytona case?

The Daytona case is 40 mm. :cheers:

[AMVOX1]

Greetings everyone! This is my first post here in the Rolex Forum... I got my first 2 rolexes this year. I first got the SS GMT MASTER II,, and then just last week, the SS black DAYTONA. I must say OUTSTANDING review on both these time pieces Bo!!! I do have a question regarding the Daytona. Both of the watches I got are M series. After reading your review on the SS GMT II. Your description of the watch was exactly as to those of mine, except for the Serial #s of course. But with the Daytona, my concern was with the codes on the clasp. Instead of the production date reading EO or any of the other codes that was provided on the LINK you attached, mine read PJ1. On my SS GMT II it reads EO9 just as at you urs did. Just wondering what you think about this. Thank You.

[Markg]

that code is the date of manufacture of the bracelet.

PJ1 means 2008, January

EO9 means 2007, September

[AMVOX1]

WOW, thanks for the prompt response MARK. It's good to know that at least my clasp is made in 2008. This Forum is AWESOME!!!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Mark's got it right! :thumbsup:

Welcome to TRF! Please post some pics of your Black Cos!

[AMVOX1]

Thanks Bo. I will post pics as soon as I get the chance to take them.

[HDHNTER]

Thanks Bo, great write-up. Much appreciated!

[stuttgart]

very useful review, thanks a lot.. :joy:

[sini1717]

hi bo great review i have an a series bought it in sept 1999 have boxs and all paper work do u no how much its worth its a tt with white face i love it but would like a white gold 1 so am thinking of trading it in

[bgp123]

Brilliant review.

I used your info and images on a local auction site to counter a seller trying to pass his Daytona as genuine.

[Ronnie Rolex]

Bo, this is an outstanding review. I just bought an M serial after seven months of waiting. I appreciate the Daytona even more after your review!

[aelvin]

wow! the best review i have read by far...

[ashe18c]

Awesome review, also noticed the marks between each second is correct, but someone else already said that. Didnt understand how the pushers are at 90 degree to the case. The old one does look like the pushers are wider apart, thats all. Learned a whole lot about this watch I did not know much about. Thank you for taking your time to write this amazing review.

[FXSTS]

Great Review...thanks for sharing!!!

[adr]

good one. :cheers::cheers:

[Tony-GB]

My word, Bo/Falcke, I wish you were still a member of TRF- this review is OUTSTANDING!!

:thumbsup::thumbsup::thumbsup:

:cheers:

[Dr.B]

Thank you for the great info and picts.

[Mrdi]

Something just Magic about wearing a Daytona.

[messier]

What a pleasure to see that, bravo