Daytona 126518LN specifications
Every 126518LN shares the same case, movement and strap; only the dial changes. So read the table as the fixed part of the watch, and the dial list as the part that sets its price.
| Reference | 126518LN (also 126518LN-0004 (intense black and champagne), 126518LN-0008 (black, golden counter rings), 126518LN-0014 (turquoise blue and black), 126518LN-0016 (meteorite and black)) |
|---|---|
| Collection | Cosmograph Daytona |
| Status | Current production |
| Introduced | 2023 |
| Predecessor | 116518LN |
| Case diameter | 40 mm |
| Case material | 18 kt yellow gold |
| Bezel | Black monobloc Cerachrom bezel in ceramic with moulded tachymetric scale, framed by a thin metal edge |
| Dial options | Black, golden counter rings, Intense black and champagne, Turquoise blue and black, Meteorite and black |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Calibre | 4131 |
| Movement | Automatic column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch, Superlative Chronometer, Chronergy escapement, blue Parachrom hairspring, Paraflex shock absorbers; Rolex Cotes de Geneve decoration |
| Power reserve | 72 hours |
| Water resistance | 100 m |
| Bracelet / strap | Oysterflex with Oysterlock folding safety clasp in yellow gold |
| Retail price (US) | US$42,700 |
| Retail price (Malaysia) | RM184,600 |
Specifications checked against Rolex and independent references, October 2026. MYR figures marked ≈ are converted at 4.08 MYR per USD.
History and reference evolution
The yellow gold Daytona has carried more nicknames than almost any other Rolex chronograph. In 2017 Rolex moved it onto the new Oysterflex strap as the 116518LN, with a black Cerachrom bezel. Its champagne dial with black counters soon earned the name "Pikachu". The look divided opinion, yet it sold steadily, and the nickname stuck.
The 2023 update
For the Daytona's 60th anniversary in 2023, Rolex replaced the 116518LN with the Daytona 126518LN. The headline change is calibre 4131, which adds the Chronergy escapement to a 72-hour column-wheel chronograph. On the outside, a thin yellow gold edge now frames the ceramic bezel. Also, the counter rings are slimmer and the case lines are a little sharper.
The Oysterflex strap and yellow gold Oysterlock clasp continue unchanged. In other words, a 116518LN owner who swaps to the new model gains a better movement and fresher warranty, not a different wearing experience.
Dials added since launch
The 126518LN catalogue has grown since 2023. Alongside the intense black and champagne dial (-0004) and the black dial with golden counter rings (-0008), Rolex lists a meteorite and black version (-0016). Then, at Watches & Wonders 2025, it added a glossy turquoise blue lacquer dial with black counters (-0014). That last one changed the reference's market overnight.
Why the history matters for value
Because the dials diverge so much in price, the suffix on the warranty card is now as important as the reference. A seller who lists "126518LN" without a dial code is leaving out the single biggest price input. Meanwhile, the bezel edge separates a 2023-on watch from an older 116518LN at a glance. That matters because the older model trades lower.
126518LN pre-owned prices compared
Our bands for the Rolex Daytona 126518LN cover the black and champagne dials only. Turquoise and meteorite dials sit well above them, as explained below. The US list price is US$42,700; in Malaysia it is RM184,600, or RM204,600 for the meteorite dial.
| Condition | What it means | USD | MYR (approx.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unworn, full set | Stickers or barely worn, box, card dated within ~2 years, all tags | US$58,000 – US$65,000 | RM237,000 – RM265,000 |
| Excellent, box & papers | Light wear, unpolished or lightly polished, warranty card present | US$53,500 – US$58,500 | RM218,000 – RM239,000 |
| Good, no papers | Normal wear, watch only or box only, service history helps | US$48,000 – US$52,500 | RM196,000 – RM214,000 |
| Polished or aftermarket parts | Soft case edges, replaced dial/bezel/bracelet, or non-Rolex parts | US$42,000 – US$47,000 | RM171,000 – RM192,000 |
Bands reflect asking and achieved prices from 3 public market sources in October 2026, rounded. Retail for comparison: US$42,700. Prices move; use them as a sense-check, not a quote.
What moves the price of this reference
The turquoise dial is the outlier. In October 2026 dealers ask roughly US$97,000–104,000 for a turquoise 126518LN, or about RM396,000–424,000. That is more than double list because allocation has been so scarce.
Meteorite comes next, at around US$89,000. After that, the champagne "Pikachu" usually edges out the plain black dial by a modest margin. As a result, two Daytona 126518LN listings at the same condition can differ by US$40,000 purely on dial.
Beyond the dial, condition of the Oysterflex is the usual deduction. Then the set: card date, box and tags. A 2025 card naturally beats a 2023 card on remaining warranty. Gem-set variants are outside our bands.
Where to check prices
Wristcheck's July 2026 guide put the standard 126518LN at about US$57,900, which sits near the top of our papers band. Dealer asks in October 2026 ran from about US$53,000 to US$65,000 for black and champagne dials. Therefore, use dealer asks for the dial you want, not a blended "126518LN" average. Marketplace averages mix turquoise and black dials together, and that distorts them badly.
In Malaysia, a grey dealer may quote a price that already includes a local premium for immediate stock. Compare it with Singapore listings, adjusting for currency and travel. Our used Rolex price guide explains how we build condition bands.
When a price is too good to be true
For a black or champagne 126518LN with box and papers, anything under about US$42,000 (roughly RM171,000) is below even our polished-watch band. For a turquoise dial, treat any ask below US$60,000 as a red flag. A real one would sell to a dealer for more than that in a day.
Genuine vs replica: how to check a 126518LN
The 2025 turquoise launch gave replica makers a new target, and replicas soon followed. The same goes for the meteorite dial. Start with the dial, because colour is where most fakes still slip. Then work through the case and movement. The full method is in our guide to spotting a fake Rolex.
Checking the dial colour
A genuine turquoise dial is glossy lacquer with deep, saturated colour and black counters. Hold it next to Rolex's own images; it should not look pale aqua or minty. Likewise, a champagne dial should show an even, warm metallic tone rather than a flat yellow print. A real meteorite dial shows an irregular crystalline pattern unique to each watch. By contrast, a replica often repeats the same printed pattern across many pieces.
Next, check the lume. The hands and hour markers glow blue in the dark, evenly and for hours. Uneven or greenish glow is a strong warning sign on a 2023-on gold Daytona.
Genuine: lume colour and application
- Modern pieces glow blue (Chromalight) and stay bright for hours
- Every marker and hand glows at the same intensity
- Lume plots filled neatly to the edge of the surround
Warning signs
- Green or mixed-colour glow on a modern reference
- Hands and markers fade at different rates
- Overfilled or thin, lumpy plots under a loupe
Case, bezel and running seconds
On a genuine Daytona 126518LN, look for the thin yellow gold edge around the black Cerachrom bezel. Next, find the laser-etched coronet in the crystal above 6 and the engraved rehaut with the serial. The crown should be a Triplock with three marks below the logo, and the pushers should screw down smoothly.
Genuine: laser-etched crown at 6 o'clock
- Made of tiny dots, hard to find without a loupe
- Sits in the crystal just above the 6 o'clock marker
- Present on most Rolex crystals from the early 2000s onward
Warning signs
- Bold and frosted, easy to spot head-on
- Solid lines instead of a dot matrix
- Off-centre, or placed on a reference/era that would not have it
Finally, watch the small seconds at 6 o'clock. Calibre 4131 beats at 28,800 vph, so the hand moves in fine steps. A choppy or ticking hand points to a cheaper movement.
Genuine: seconds-hand sweep
- 28,800 vph: eight small steps per second, reads as a smooth glide on video
- Steady amplitude, no stutter when the watch is tilted
- A quiet, fine-grained ticking close to the ear
Warning signs
- Visibly choppier steps (often 21,600 vph or slower)
- A single one-second tick means a quartz movement
- Loud, rattly rotor noise when the watch is shaken
What only a watchmaker can confirm
With the caseback of a Daytona 126518LN open, a watchmaker checks for the 4131 calibre markings, the blue Parachrom hairspring and Rolex's Côtes de Genève finish. They also test the chronograph start, stop and reset. In addition, they can confirm the case is solid 18 kt gold and that the dial is original to the watch. For the paperwork side, see our box and papers guide.
Who the 126518LN suits, and the alternatives
The Rolex Daytona 126518LN suits buyers who want gold to look like gold. Yellow gold against black rubber is bolder than Everose, and the dial range lets you pick anything from quiet black to loud turquoise. It also suits Malaysia's climate, since the strap shrugs off sweat and rain.
If you want something softer, the Everose 126515LN lists slightly higher but trades at a smaller premium. For a more discreet gold watch, the white gold 126519LN is the stealthiest option. If you prefer a full yellow gold bracelet, look at the Daytona 126508. And if gold is still a question mark, our steel vs gold Daytona comparison helps you decide.
Cosmograph Daytona 126515LN
Everose Daytona on Oysterflex, calibre 4131: retail, pre-owned bands and fake tells.
Cosmograph Daytona 126519LN
White gold Daytona on Oysterflex: Ghost and meteorite dials, RM list prices and fake checks.
Cosmograph Daytona 126508
Solid yellow-gold Daytona with black, golden or green dials. The green 'John Mayer 2.0' asks far above list.
126518LN FAQ
What is the Pikachu Daytona?
Collectors use "Pikachu" for the yellow gold Oysterflex Daytona with a champagne dial and black sub-dials. The bright yellow-and-black mix reminded people of the cartoon character. On the current 126518LN that is the -0004 variant, listed as intense black and champagne. It usually trades a little above the plain black dial version.
Why is the turquoise 126518LN so expensive?
Rolex added the turquoise lacquered dial at Watches & Wonders 2025, and supply has been very limited. In October 2026 dealers ask about US$97,000–104,000 for one, against roughly US$53,500–58,500 for a black or champagne dial with papers. The colour, nicknamed "Tiffany" by some buyers, has no official link to the jeweller.
How much is the Rolex Daytona 126518LN in Malaysia?
Malaysian authorised dealers list it at RM184,600 for the champagne and turquoise dials, and RM204,600 for the meteorite dial (October 2026). Grey-market prices for a black or champagne full set convert to roughly RM218,000–239,000. A turquoise dial costs far more again.
Is the yellow gold Oysterflex Daytona a good investment?
We would not buy any Rolex as an investment. That said, the 126518LN has held a premium of roughly 25–35% over list on standard dials, which is stronger than the Everose Oysterflex model. Our steel vs gold Daytona comparison shows how gold premiums move compared with steel.
Does the 126518LN come on a gold bracelet?
No. The 126518LN is Oysterflex only. The yellow gold bracelet version is a separate reference, the Daytona 126508, which lists higher and carries different dials, including the green "John Mayer" version.
Last updated . Written and fact-checked by the Rolex Malaysian editorial team. Specifications and prices are re-checked quarterly.