Rolex
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16518
The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona (reference 16518) is a 40 mm 18k yellow gold watch with a white dial. It runs on the automatic caliber 4030 with a 54-hour power reserve and is water resistant to 100 m. It is no longer in production.
Specifications
Case
- Reference
- 16518
- Collection
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Case size
- 40 mm
- Case material
- 18k yellow gold
- Case shape
- Round
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Water resistance
- 100 m
Dial and bezel
- Dial
- White
Movement
- Movement
- Automatic
- Caliber
- 4030 (base Zenith El Primero 400)
- Power reserve
- 54 hours
- Frequency
- 28,800 vph
- Jewels
- 31
- Functions
- Chronograph, Tachymeter
Production
- Production
- Discontinued
Dial versions
This reference was made with these dials and finishes.
16518 White
Leather strap
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16518 (This watch) | 40 mm | 18k yellow gold | White | 4030 | — |
| 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 16518?
- The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16518 has a 40 mm case.
- What movement does the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16518 use?
- It uses the automatic caliber 4030, with a 54-hour power reserve.
- How water resistant is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16518?
- It is water resistant to 100 metres.
- Is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16518 still in production?
- No. It was made until 2000.
- What is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 16518 made of?
- The case is 18k yellow gold.
Catalog facts checked October 2026.