Nicknamed “Pikachu” for its yellow and black color combination, the Rolex Daytona 116518LN brings together a mix of materials you don’t usually see on a gold sports model. You get an 18k yellow gold case, a champagne dial with black subdials, and a black ceramic bezel all tied together by the brand’s unique Oysterflex strap.
It is one of the more unexpected combinations in the modern Daytona lineup. And while it might sound flashy on paper, the way it comes together feels surprisingly wearable. That’s part of what makes this reference so popular with collectors who already own other Daytonas, especially with those looking for something a little different.
To understand where this version came from, it helps to look at how Rolex has gradually shifted the Daytona’s style over time, especially when it comes to materials, straps, and the type of collector each version speaks to.
Watch our tour video about the Rolex Daytona Pikachu 116518LN.
The Rolex Daytona has been around since 1963, originally built for race car drivers who needed a tool for measuring lap times. Back then, it had a manual-winding movement and a steel bezel – solid, functional, and made for the track. But over the years, the Daytona changed. It got an automatic movement in the late ’80s, ceramic bezels in the 2010s, and a much broader fanbase that now includes everyone from collectors to celebrities.
In 2017, Rolex took the gold Daytona in a new direction. The reference 116518LN dropped the old leather strap and swapped in something far more modern: the Oysterflex bracelet. This was the first time a gold Daytona came on a rubber strap, and it completely changed how the watch felt on the wrist. Rolex also added a black Cerachrom bezel, which is highly scratch-resistant and keeps the tachymeter scale easy to read.
But what really caught people’s attention was the dial. The combination of champagne color with black subdials reminded collectors of Pikachu, the yellow Pokémon with black-tipped ears. That’s how the watch got its nickname, and it stuck.
Up next, we’ll break down the case, strap, and bezel in more detail and why this Daytona feels different from most others once it’s actually on your wrist.
Yellow Gold Case Meets Ceramic and Oysterflex
The Daytona Pikachu comes in a 40mm case that measures about 12.2mm thick – consistent with other models in the modern Daytona line. Made from solid 18k yellow gold, the case is fully high-polished throughout (including the lugs and case sides) giving it a bright, reflective finish that shows off the gold’s natural warmth.
Framing the dial is a black Cerachrom bezel, made from scratch-resistant ceramic. The tachymeter scale is engraved and then filled with gold-colored markings, offering easy readability while keeping the overall design sharp and clean.
The crown and chronograph pushers are also made of 18k yellow gold, all with a screw-down design to help maintain the watch’s 100-meter water resistance. The screw-down crown and pushers have high-polished surfaces, giving the right tactile feel when setting or activating the chronograph.
What sets this model apart from most Daytonas is the use of the Oysterflex bracelet. Instead of metal links, Rolex built this strap with a flexible metal blade inside, coated with high-performance black elastomer. The underside features soft rubber pads that help the watch sit securely and comfortably, even during extended wear.
The strap connects to a yellow gold Oysterlock clasp, which includes a folding safety system to prevent accidental opening. The clasp itself has both brushed and high-polished textures, matching the alternating finishes on the case. Earlier versions of the 116518LN came with the Easylink comfort extension, while later ones feature the Glidelock system that allows for fine-tuned sizing.
Fixed gold end links sit at the connection point between the strap and case, helping create a smooth, uninterrupted line around the wrist.
Altogether, the case, bezel, and strap combine to create a sport-luxury feel that’s just as comfortable to wear as it is attention-grabbing to look at.
It is this yellow and black color pairing that led collectors to start calling it the “Pikachu”. The nickname stuck, and now it is one of the most recognizable Daytona dials in the lineup.
- Central seconds hand for the stopwatch
- 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock
- 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock
- Running seconds subdial at 6 o’clock
Inside the Rolex Daytona 116518LN is the Caliber 4130, an automatic chronograph movement developed entirely by Rolex. It has been powering Daytona models since the year 2000 and is widely respected for being one of the most reliable and low maintenance movements the brand has ever made.
It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and holds a power reserve of about 72 hours when fully wound. One of the standout features of this movement is its use of both a vertical clutch and a column wheel. The vertical clutch helps the chronograph hand start smoothly when activated, without any visible jump, while the column wheel gives the pushers a crisp, responsive feel when starting, stopping, or resetting the stopwatch.
The movement also uses the Rolex blue Parachrom hairspring, made from a special alloy that resists both magnetic fields and temperature changes. This helps the watch stay accurate even when worn daily or exposed to bumps, shifts in temperature, or everyday activity. The hairspring is shaped with an overcoil, which helps the movement keep steady time no matter what position the watch is in.
Like all modern Rolex movements, the Caliber 4130 is tested to a high accuracy standard of -2 to +2 seconds per day after it has been cased, earning the Superlative Chronometer designation. While newer Daytona references now use the updated Caliber 4131, the 116518LN keeps the 4130 – a movement collectors trust for its long-term stability and proven performance.
Wearing the Rolex Daytona Pikachu feels nothing like what you’d expect from a solid gold chronograph. Even with its 18k yellow gold case, the watch is light and balanced, thanks to the Oysterflex strap and the way the case sits low on the wrist.
The strap isn’t just rubber. Inside, there’s a thin metal blade that gives it the structure of a bracelet. On the outside, it is covered in a smooth elastomer that feels soft and flexible. On the underside, small curved pads (what Rolex calls “wings”) help grip the wrist and stop the watch from shifting around as you move.
The 40mm case size works well across a wide range of wrists. Whether you’re around 6.5 inches or closer to 8 inches in wrist circumference, the fit stays secure without feeling oversized. On newer versions of this model, the updated Glidelock clasp makes it easy to fine-tune the size without tools, whether your wrist expands in warm weather or you’re layering under a cuff.
Another small but noticeable update is the caseback shape. Later examples of the 116518LN have a flatter, wider caseback, which helps spread out the weight and reduces the chance of it digging into your wrist. It adds to the overall comfort, especially if you’re wearing the watch for several hours at a time.
This is the kind of Daytona that turns heads for its design, but still feels relaxed enough for daily use. It is sporty, comfortable, and distinct without trying too hard.
| Category | Details |
| Reference Number | 116518LN |
| Case Size | 40mm diameter, approx. 12.2mm thick |
| Case Material | 18k yellow gold, fully polished throughout including the lugs and case sides |
| Bezel | Fixed black Cerachrom ceramic with engraved tachymeter scale in gold |
| Crystal | Scratch-resistant sapphire |
| Crown & Pushers | 18k yellow gold, screw-down, with fine grooves for grip |
| Water Resistance | 100 meters / 330 feet |
| Dial | Champagne sunburst finish with black recessed subdials (Pikachu dial) |
| Hour Markers | 18k yellow gold, filled with Chromalight, framed in black |
| Chronograph Hand | Solid gold, non-luminous |
| Lume | Chromalight (blue glow on hour markers, minute and hour hands) |
| Movement | Rolex Caliber 4130, automatic chronograph, in-house |
| Power Reserve | Approximately 72 hours |
| Chronograph | Central seconds hand, 30-min counter (3 o’clock), 12-hr counter (9 o’clock) |
| Small Seconds | Subdial at 6 o’clock |
| Bracelet | Oysterflex with flexible metal blade and elastomer coating |
| Underside Wings | Soft rubber pads to stabilize fit on the wrist |
| Clasp | Oysterlock folding clasp in yellow gold with Easylink or Glidelock (variant) |
| End Links | Fixed solid gold end links between case and strap |
| Caseback | Screw-down caseback; wider and flatter in later production versions |
| On-Wrist Fit | Comfortable for wrist sizes approx. 6.5″ to 8″; balanced and secure |
Some collectors say they’d never wear yellow gold until they see this one in person. There’s something about the Pikachu Daytona that changes your mind. The colors work. The fit feels right. And the watch carries itself with a kind of charm that’s hard to forget.
You don’t have to be a Pokémon fan to get the appeal. But you do need to appreciate a watch that’s built well, wears well, and sparks a reaction.
