Rolex
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (reference 116523) is a 40 mm stainless steel / 18k yellow gold watch. It runs on the automatic caliber 4130 with a 72-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 100 m. It is no longer in production.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 116523
- Collection
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Case size
- 40 mm
- Thickness
- 12.4 mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel / 18k yellow gold
- Case shape
- Round
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Water resistance
- 100 m
- Bracelet / strap
- Oyster, stainless steel and yellow gold
Dial and bezel
- Bezel
- Metal tachymeter
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 4130
- Power reserve
- 72 hours
- Frequency
- 28,800 vph
- Jewels
- 44
- Functions
- Chronograph, Tachymeter
Production
- Production
- Discontinued
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
116523 Black
116523-0039
Black
116523 Black Diamond-set indexes
116523-0043
Diamond-set indexes · Diamond; dial indexes; count/carats not published in source
116523 Black Mother-of-pearl
116523-0047
Mother-of-pearl
116523 Blue
116523-0045
Racing (per WatchBase label Blue Racing)
116523 Champagne
116523-0042
Champagne
116523 Champagne Diamond-set indexes
116523-0055
Diamond-set indexes · Diamond; dial indexes; count/carats not published in source
116523 White
116523-0040
White
116523 White Diamond-set indexes
116523-0057
Diamond-set indexes · Diamond; dial indexes; count/carats not published in source
116523 Grey
116523-0041
Gem-set indexes
How it compares within the Cosmograph Daytona family
Side by side with other references in the same collection, from the catalog.
| Reference | Size | Material | Dial | Caliber | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 116523 (This watch) | 40 mm | Stainless steel / 18k yellow gold | — | 4130 | — |
| 126500LN | 40 mm | Oystersteel | — | 4131 | 2023– |
| 126502 | 40 mm | Rolesium (Oystersteel/platinum) | White grand feu enamel | 4131 | 2026– |
| 126505 | 40 mm | 18k Everose gold | — | 4131 | 2023– |
| 126509 | 40 mm | 18k white gold | — | 4131 | 2023– |
| 126515LN | 40 mm | 18k Everose gold | — | 4131 | 2023– |
| 126519LN | 40 mm | 18k white gold | — | 4131 | 2023– |
| 126579RBR | 40 mm | 18k white gold, diamond-set | Black | 4131 | 2023– |
| 126598TBR | 40 mm | 18k yellow gold, diamond-set | Golden | 4131 | 2023– |
About the Cosmograph Daytona family
The Cosmograph Daytona arrived in 1963 with ref. 6239, a manual-wind chronograph with the tachymeter scale moved onto the bezel. Later vintage references such as the 6263 and 6265 added screw-down pushers. In 1988 the ref. 16520 introduced automatic winding with caliber 4030, based on a Zenith El Primero, and in 2000 the ref. 116520 moved to the in-house caliber 4130.
The ceramic-bezel steel ref. 116500LN followed in 2016, and the current generation, with references such as the 126500LN, uses caliber 4131. Gold versions on Oysterflex, such as the 126518LN in yellow gold and 126515LN in Everose, sit alongside white gold and platinum models. Dealers date a Daytona by reference, caliber, bezel material and dial details, and pay close attention to box, papers and the date on the warranty card.
Quick answers
- What size is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523?
- The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523 has a 40 mm case, 12.4 mm thick.
- What movement does the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 4130, with a 72-hour power reserve.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523?
- It is water resistant to 100 metres.
- Is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523 still in production?
- Discontinued.
- What is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523 made of?
- The case is stainless steel / 18k yellow gold. Bracelet or strap: Oyster, stainless steel and yellow gold.
- Which dials was the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523 made with?
- The catalog lists 5 dials: Black, Blue, Champagne, White, Grey.
Catalog facts checked October 2026.