Some Thoughts about the Rolex Daytona “Alcaraz” 126518LN with Turquoise Lacquer Dial

Lately, principally for the reason that introduction of the ceramic bezel on the metal version (the 116500LN), the Daytona has grow to be the most popular watch in Rolex’s portfolio, but additionally remained a reasonably conservative mannequin, with a relatively parsimonious use of colors. This hasn’t at all times been the case, although, and prior to now, we’ve seen wild editions coming and going. However Rolex is altering and has had a robust give attention to dial-making lately. Stones, jigsaw enamel, guilloché and vibrant colors have surfaced in all collections… And now it’s time for the Daytona, with the 126518LN and its daring turquoise lacquer dial, a watch that we now know because the Daytona Alcaraz. A couple of months have handed since its launch, and I wished to take a second take a look at it, see if my opinion has modified or not. 

This 12 months, despite the fact that Rolex has been pretty discreet about it, was an amazing 12 months for the Daytona, seeing the introduction of not one however 8 new references in complete, together with meteorite dials, a brand new white gold with blue dial, new chocolate brown editions and the John Mayer MKII with two-tone inexperienced dial. The one one which was brazenly marketed was the one we’ll be taking a look at at present, the now so-called Alcaraz, as a result of tennis participant Carlos Alcaraz, winner of Roland Garros 2025, wore it through the prize ceremony. And I can vividly bear in mind my preliminary response when seeing the official photographs of this new turquoise lacquered, yellow gold Daytona through the night time of April 1st. And no, I’m not going to publish the phrases that got here out of my mouth at that second. We nonetheless have sure guidelines in our editorial coverage.

Briefly, my response (and principally your entire MONOCHROME workforce current within the room at the moment) was strongly opinionated. Why would Rolex use a turquoise-toned dial on a yellow gold Daytona? Nicely, it isn’t the primary time Rolex has used such colors on the Daytona. Again within the Nineties and 2000s, we’ve seen virtually your entire spectrum of the rainbow (and the total rainbow too…) used on the model’s emblematic chronograph. Some would say that it was all in regards to the naughty nineties, however in a world the place a gold, mechanical chronograph is now priced the identical as a small hatchback, every little thing must be reconsidered. Rolex is thus going bolder, extra vibrant and fewer conservative, as a result of the demand for such watches exists. And fortunately, basic choices nonetheless exist too.

So let’s return to our Daytona Alcaraz… What’s it? Nicely, it’s all in regards to the dial. And what a dial, and what a mixture of colors we’re speaking about. Earlier than we transfer into the main points, I believe that if this version had been launched in a white gold case, reactions would have been much less dramatic, as we’d have been taking a look at a cold-on-cold scheme. Now, it’s bright-on-bright, and with two colors that, on paper, shouldn’t reside collectively. Turquoise on yellow? Attempt to think about that as an outfit. A yellow go well with over a turquoise shirt…? Let’s keep away from that. A turquoise 911 with a yellow leather-based inside? No thanks.

So what is that this dial about? The bottom is, opposite to most colored dials within the Daytona assortment, lacquered. As such, it has a flat, virtually enamel-like floor with a shiny however not shiny impact. It’s additionally a strong color, with out the shimmering impact of a dial that has been sunray-brushed – prefer it’s the case for the ice-blue platinum or the John Mayer. The color is uniform, extra delicate within the steel than I imagined at first. Additionally, for this re-creation, Rolex selected to have contrasting black counters, matching the black ceramic ingredient of the bezel. It’s a design that has a sure duality. It’s, on the one hand, including much more distinction and visible components to a dial that’s already not identified for being discreet, and but, it softens the color. And due to the up to date utilized markers on this era of Daytona, the gold components of the dial are extra discreet than earlier than.

Thus, what’s felt on paper isn’t essentially true within the steel. Firstly, press photographs (more often than not 3D renderings) are likely to dramatise colors and lack the reflections a watch has in actuality. A watch lives in an atmosphere, and the dial is roofed by a sapphire crystal, which, regardless of using AR coating, tends to melt colors. In the identical vein, whereas the case of this version is yellow gold, it additionally carries a variety of black components (bezel) and is worn on a black Oysterflex bracelet, so the gold tends to be far much less current.

The remainder of the watch is every little thing we all know from the up to date Daytona, a change that occurred in 2023. It means an up to date case that has retained slim dimensions – 40mm in diameter, 11.9mm in thickness (a rarity available in the market of computerized chronographs) and 47.5mm in size – with a barely completely different building for the Cerachrom bezel, which is right here framed by an 18k gold edge. Match and end? Wonderful, as at all times with Rolex. Consolation? Excellent, largely due to the Oysterflex bracelet – a singular building with versatile steel blades overmoulded with black elastomer, and people versatile components on the again that hug the wrist and that offset a number of the weight of the 18k yellow gold case. And sure, it nonetheless has the screwed pushers that aren’t of the utmost practicality on a chronograph…

Contained in the case is the newest evolution of Rolex’s computerized chronograph, the calibre 4131. This motion, utilizing a column wheel and a vertical clutch, is now utilizing the patented Chronergy escapement with its environment friendly geometry mixed with a blue Parachrom hairspring. The remainder is evolution greater than revolution, a newly designed rotor on an (upgraded) ball bearing, and a single barrel able to storing 72 hours of energy reserve. The motion is, after all, Superlative Chronometer licensed (each by the COSC after which by Rolex after casing) with an accuracy of -2/+2 seconds/day. And whereas it advantages from a extra refined ornament than earlier than (Rolex Côtes de Genève), it’s nonetheless hidden behind a strong gold caseback. I do consider it’s time for Rolex to deliver the sapphire again of the Le Mans and Platinum fashions to much more editions.

So, after seeing this Rolex Daytona Alcaraz Turquoise Lacquer Dial 126518LN within the steel, I’ve modified my thoughts about it. Sure, I by some means prefer it. Sure, I by some means really feel a bit responsible about it. No, it’s completely not in step with the title of this journal, and I need to admit that I really feel a bit alone within the MONOCHROME workforce. However I just like the audacity and the sudden type of the watch. And it may very well be that “responsible pleasure watch” that you just don’t put on usually however, in a sure manner, makes you smile when carrying it. Wouldn’t it be my first alternative if I needed to decide a Daytona? Completely not. I’m nonetheless very a lot after a basic metal mannequin with a white dial. However I might see this turquoise version coming as a strong third alternative, after a blue dial/white gold model (not that I’m within the place of having the ability to purchase any of those anyway…)

The Rolex Daytona Yellow Gold Turquoise Lacquer Dial 126518LN retails for EUR 37,400. And sure, the hype continues to be actual. The value is excessive. And the supply is tangential to zero. But it surely’s not a watch for each style, that’s for certain. Extra particulars at rolex.com.