The Rolex Daytona has long been the brand’s hit item. For the 18k gold version, the “Paul Newman” dial, a black dial with champagne gold sub dials, is the most popular version. The newest 116508 with PN dial has some slightly different details that are not easy to spot.
First of all, the dial of the 116508 is around 1mm larger than that on the 116528. Secondly, the bezel slope is slightly steeper so that the bezel appears to be less think than the 116528. Also, the numbers on the sub dials are thinner than those on the 116528. While the movement remains the same, the new standard of accuracy is not +2/-2 per day. The central chronograph hand is orange red which is lighter than the sharp red on the 116508. Last but not least, the most obvious difference is the change of the markers on the bezel. The bezel now has thicker markers on the tachymeter, just like its counterparts in white gold and rose gold.
Some may prefer the newer version of the gold Daytona. It does definitely has its own advantages and one of them is that the dial looks a bit larger while the bezel looks a bit less thick. It makes the watch look a bit bigger. Also, the new tachymeter style on the bezel is much sharper. However, these two aesthetics changes may well be why you should actually consider a 116528 instead. Why?
The thick bezel has long been the Daytona’s classic signature. The thick fonts of the new tachymeter on the bezel may look sharp but it also somehow looks too busy. To me,, the 116528 is a more classic choice. Also, the new 116508 PN’s central chronograph hand is not as sharp as the one on the 116528.
While some may consider buying a 116528 of later years with random serials, these may not be as collectible as those from 2000-2003. In these three years, the 116528 was produced with skinny hands and a shorter buckle. The short buckle is definitely a signature of the Daytona 11652x as it was produced just for the Daytona. The skinny hands were replaced by thicker hands in around 2004. Price wise, these earlier 116528 are cheaper than the later version.
The 116528 here is a P series one from Year 2001 with skinny hands and old buckle. The old buckle is more elegant-looking than the new buckle while the new buckle is more practical to some. The watch here comes with guarantee paper, tags and service paper.
Nice stuff
I like both
Thanks for your insight. I have a 116508 which I purchased 3 years ago. I love the watch and astonished by how much the price has gone up in just 3 years. I do have a question for you. What makes the 116508 watch in your photo a Paul Newman? Lastly, from what I can see the 116508 is significantly, more expensive, why is that?
Hi Perry
The 116508 in my photo has a Paul Newman dial because it looks like the gold vintage Paul Newman Daytona with gold subdials. That is why people call it a Paul Newman. The 116508 is significantly more expensive probably because of lack of stocks. For the past couple years, there seems to have been less 116508 in the market. You can wtsapp me at +85256652408 and we can discuss more.