126529LN Rolex Le Mans Daytona

We don’t usually talk about modern Rolex much, most of it doesn’t fit the criteria here. But some do. There hasn’t been anything like the Le Mans before. There’s this (broadly true) narrative that Rolex is increasing precious metal and pricing at a rate fast enough to become the next Hermes. And it’s true, many Rolexes today don’t speak to the saturation diver or F1 driver that might’ve loved them in the 1970s. AD games & emoji Day-Dates alienate much of the old guard. However, while Rolex takes away they’ve also given. They’ve chosen to give in a very interesting way that appeals directly to collectors who weren’t alive in the 1960s but collect its watches fervently. Us, in other words.

Rolex simply don’t, ever, reference their historic models in a playful way. Well, they didn’t until last year; this was a first. The physical elements, which are quite subtle, almost pale into comparison against that precedent alone. But we should elucidate them. You’re getting very tastefully exotic, singer like square subdial indices on a deep grey dial, not black. No art deco fonts. You’re getting a 24 hour totalizer, the length of the race. You’re getting a red 100 on the tachymetre. Mostly, you’re getting a nod to a Paul Newman and to the early Le Mans chronograph name/advertising. That a red 100 on the scale happened to align with Ferrari winning the 100th race itself is absolute magic you can’t buy. But you can buy these, and they’re expensive. Because they have the shortest production of any Daytona, one year. Most speculate production to be around or below 3000 examples. It’s not known, but a year is small in Rolex time.

So, maybe the way to think of this is as the only actually scarce Paul Newman? I don’t think so. I think this is the first time Rolex has acknowledged directly that their history does now drive decisions. It’s the weight of the last 30 years of collecting hewn into one white gold Cosmograph. The only thing it’s not giving those of us who love 6240s is a solid back, which I do miss. For that, I do think the 126509 remains a criminally overlooked modern Daytona. But we’re going to have to wait to see if this new direction is a one-off or strategy. Perhaps we have Explorer dial Subs to look forward to. As I see it, this is the question we all have to grapple with: do we believe Rolex should still only seek to produce the best tool possible for professionals? Or is it okay for the coronet to play once in a while? Humans learn by playing. Should we not allow Rolex the same opportunity?

This is an effectively new watch, so condition here is as you’d expect. It’s a full set from a well-regarded retailer. I don’t even know what to comment as far as this market at the present moment, other than that it’ll be fun to keep watching.