Nicknamed the “Panda” for its crisp white face and bold black counters, this is the dial that traces its bloodline straight back to the racing Daytonas of the 1960s, and the one collectors wait years on a list to be offered. Born from the Daytona’s 60th-anniversary generation, it pairs that heritage look with the most refined steel case Rolex has ever put under a chronograph. For the collector who wants the one watch every room recognizes, the hunt ends here.

Presents itself in mint condition with little to no signs of wear. Set against brilliant white lacquer, the three black-ringed counters and red DAYTONA arc give the dial a contrast that reads from across the room and rewards you up close. Framed by a polished steel ring, the black Cerachrom bezel glows like glass, its molded tachymeter numerals flashing platinum as the light sweeps across. Carved into satin-brushed Oystersteel with mirror-polished flanks, the slimmer anniversary-generation case and solid Oyster bracelet trade gloss and matte with every turn of the wrist.

Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds, and chronograph. After sitting for more than a day, wake the watch first: unscrew the fluted crown on the right side of the case, and in its first position give it about forty gentle clockwise turns to charge the 72-hour power reserve of the in-house caliber 4131. Pull the crown out one more stop and the seconds hand halts for to-the-second setting, turn the hands forward to the current time, then press the crown back in and screw it down snug to preserve the 100 meters of water resistance. The two screw-down pushers flanking the crown guard the chronograph: unscrew both collars, tap the top pusher to start and stop the sweeping center hand, and press the bottom pusher to snap it, and the 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock, instantly back to zero, then screw both collars down when the race is over.

Comes as a complete set, double-boxed with the Rolex warranty card dated 2026, warranty booklet, Cosmograph Daytona manual, Rolex card holder wallet, and green Rolex hang tag.

Steel Daytonas never sit still, they are the hardest sports Rolex to be offered at retail and the fastest to leave a showcase, and a 2026-dated example still under factory warranty for years to come is as fresh as they exist outside an AD’s vault. Whether it anchors a first serious collection or completes a lifelong one, some watches you simply never let go of, this is one of them.