Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ’ Ivory’ Solid 18kt Everose Gold, featuring the Highly Desirable Ivory White Dial with Applied 18kt Everose Gold Luminescent Index Hour Markers and Hands, Contrasting Everose Gold-Ringed Chronograph Registers, Signature Red “DAYTONA” Inscription, Fixed 18kt Everose Gold Tachymeter-Engraved Bezel, Screw-Down Chronograph Pushers and Triplock Winding Crown, Rolex Manufacture Caliber 4130 Self-Winding Column-Wheel Chronograph Movement with Vertical Clutch, 44 Jewels, Paramagnetic Blue Parachrom Hairspring and Approximately 72-Hour Power Reserve, Scratch-Resistant Sapphire Crystal, Solid 18kt Everose Gold Oyster Bracelet with Oysterlock Folding Clasp, 100-Meter Water Resistance, 40mm.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most recognizable and important sports chronographs ever created. Introduced in 1963 and forever associated with the world of professional motor racing, the Daytona was conceived as a precision timing instrument for racing drivers. Its distinctive three-register chronograph layout and tachymeter bezel allow elapsed time and average speeds to be measured at a glance, creating a design that has remained unmistakably Daytona for more than six decades.

This particular Ref. 116505 transforms that legendary motorsport chronograph into one of its most luxurious executions. The entire 40mm Oyster case, fixed tachymeter bezel and Oyster bracelet are crafted from Rolex’s proprietary 18kt Everose gold, an alloy developed by Rolex to preserve the warm rose coloration of the metal over time. Alternating polished and brushed surfaces emphasize the architecture of the Oyster case and bracelet, while the solid Everose gold tachymeter bezel retains the purposeful racing character at the heart of the Daytona.

What gives this particular configuration its extraordinary personality, however, is the Ivory dial. Against the warmth of the Everose gold case, the creamy ivory-white surface creates an exceptionally elegant contrast rarely associated with a professional racing chronograph. Applied Everose gold hour markers and matching hands are filled with luminous material, while three beautifully defined subsidiary registers are surrounded by contrasting Everose gold rings. The unmistakable red “DAYTONA” signature above the 6 o’clock register provides the perfect final accent. It is a combination that manages to be unmistakably sporty while simultaneously having the refinement of a precious-metal dress watch.

The chronograph itself provides a central elapsed-seconds indication, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, while continuous running seconds are displayed at 6 o’clock. Surrounding the dial is a finely graduated chronograph scale, and the engraved tachymeter bezel permits the calculation of average speed over a measured distance. Screw-down chronograph pushers and Rolex’s Triplock screw-down winding crown preserve the integrity of the Oyster case, contributing to a water-resistance rating of 100 meters / 330 feet.

At the heart of the watch is one of the most significant modern Rolex chronograph movements, the manufacture Caliber 4130. Developed specifically for the Cosmograph Daytona, the automatic movement incorporates a traditional column-wheel chronograph architecture combined with a vertical clutch, allowing precise engagement of the chronograph seconds while minimizing the characteristic jump that can occur with other coupling systems. The movement contains 44 jewels, operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides an impressive approximately 72-hour power reserve. The Caliber 4130 also incorporates Rolex’s paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, Microstella regulating system and bidirectional automatic winding through the Perpetual rotor.

Among precious-metal Daytonas, it is the combination of Everose gold and the Ivory dial that gives this reference such a distinctive identity. There is a softness to the ivory coloration that a conventional white dial simply does not reproduce. Combined with the rose-colored registers, matching hands and warm Everose case, the entire watch has a tone-on-tone richness that is immediately recognizable to collectors familiar with the reference.

The Daytona itself needs no introduction, but not every Daytona has the same personality, and this configuration is unmistakable. The combination of a full 18kt Everose gold construction, matching gold tachymeter bezel, manufacture Caliber 4130 and that beautiful Ivory dial creates a Daytona that could only have come from this particular chapter of Rolex production. It has all the performance and mechanical pedigree of the Cosmograph Daytona, but with a warmth and elegance completely its own. For the collector who understands the subtle differences between Daytona configurations, the Ivory Everose 116505 is not simply another gold Daytona. It is one of those discontinued combinations whose dial, metal and generation come together perfectly, and once you know what you are looking at, it is immediately recognizable.

REF# 116505