Released in 2000 as a brand new generation of Daytona, the ref. 116520 featured much of the same unchanged design that the previous “Zenith” Daytona had, except for several relatively minor details. To begin with, the dial layout had changed slightly, so the running seconds subdial went from 9 o'clock to 6' clock, and the subdials were no longer in line with the center of the dial. Instead, they moved up slightly above the middle of the dial (running from 9 to 3 o'clock). Additionally, Rolex gave the new Daytona broader indices to accommodate more lume, longer lugs, and a mirror finish on the case flanks to differentiate the latest generation even further. But, without doubt, the latest generation’s most significant upgrade was Rolex’s new (at the time) in-house automatic cal. 4130 chronograph movement. Designed to be ruthlessly efficient, it has just 201 parts - a 20% decrease on the previous movement, the cal. 4030, making for an even more reliable movement requiring even less servicing. Additionally, with more space free to accommodate a larger mainspring, Rolex increased the cal. 4030's power reserve from 50 to 72 hours in the cal. 4130. All in all, even for a 20+ year old movement, the cal. 4130 is incredible even by today’s standards and fitting for the Daytona’s legendary legacy.

An icon within watchmaking the Daytona leads the pack in the world of chronographs with its storied past, fantastic movement, great looks, and legendary exclusivity.