Why the Daytona in gold is particularly sought after
While the stainless steel Daytona is discussed mainly in terms of its availability, the gold version stands out for its variety of design. Here, Rolex combines dials, bezels and bracelets in variants that do not exist in steel – such as the ceramic bezel paired with Everose or the Oysterflex bracelet, which wraps rubber around a metal core and thus combines the stability of a link bracelet with the wearing comfort of rubber.
Calibre 4130 and its successor
Introduced in 2000, calibre 4130 was the first chronograph developed entirely in-house by Rolex. It features a vertical clutch and a column wheel and requires significantly fewer components than comparable movements. In 2023, it was followed by the revised calibre 4131 with Chronergy escapement and a modified bridge architecture. The power reserve of around 72 hours remained unchanged.
Gold alloys at Rolex
Rolex casts all of its gold alloys in its own foundry. Everose is a patented rose gold alloy containing platinum that counteracts the fading of the rose hue – a well-known problem with older rose gold watches from other manufacturers. Yellow gold and white gold are likewise crafted in 18 carat, with the white gold produced without the otherwise customary rhodium plating.
What to look out for when buying
With gold models, it is worth taking a close look at the dial and the bezel material, as these combinations determine the price more strongly than with steel models. Meteorite dials are unique in their structure and are traded accordingly. For every watch, we document the reference, the dial variant and the scope of delivery.