As many of you know, I have a certain affinity for all that comes in an oyster case. Over the past year I shifted my collection towards watches that are repairable and that I have interest in repairing and servicing over time. My collection centers on the Submariner and while I do not yet have any of the rarer pieces from the 1950’s, I have some decent vintage pieces as well as modern pieces complete with functioning dial and hand lume. About a year ago, I picked up a Tudor chronograph which quickly rekindled my deep appreciation of the Rolex Cosmograph. The Cosmograph is more commonly known as the Rolex Daytona. Over the holiday season, I made the mistake of visiting my jeweler who had taken in an all but brand new two-tone Daytona. The watch is a 116523. The additional “1” denotes that this watch carries Rolex’s own in-house chronometer grade chronograph. Earlier automatic models were powered by Zenith movements retooled by Rolex. The Cosmographs before that were manual wind.
The pushers function like butter, I will have to source a schematic to “see for myself” how they can be so smooth. The bracelet carries the upgraded clasp where the gold part of the two-tone carries through and unlike even my 2008 Submariner, the scissor “hinge” mechanism is something above and beyond the traditional hinged stamped steel that has long been associated with the oyster bracelet. (Not a dig by any means as the timeless design continues to work). The dial is a kind of dark grey and is called “STEEL” on the Rolex Papers.
I’m beside myself owning this watch. Very happy. Happy 40th to me. Here are a couple of quick picks. I’ll find time for better over the weekend.
A Daytona is my dream watch. 
