Start your engines! The Rolex Daytona 'Le Mans' 126528LN in Yellow Gold
Rolex Daytona Le Mans 126528LN
A couple of years ago and nowhere near Watches And Wonders, Rolex produced from its pocket of surprises a brand new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona special edition celebrating 100 years of the Le-Mans 24 hour race.
It was released in white gold in 2023, discontinued in 2024 and it’s new iteration was presented in yellow gold with reference 126528LN which makes it clear that these are very short production run special editions.
Given that the “Daytona” was originally going to be called the “Rolex Le Mans” these are very appealing “throwback” models.
Le-Mans is considered to be the worlds greatest endurance sports car race which has seen speeds of up to 200mph on its famous Muslanne Straight.
All teams must rotate three drivers through one car during the race, with no one driver behind the wheel for more than a total of 14 hours. Drivers change during pit-stops for refuelling or tyre changes.
The race is held on the 8.5 mile Circuit De La Sarthe in France and began in 1923 as a way for manufacturers to showcase both the speed and durability of their vehicles in prolonged high speed competition.
The only breaks in the 100 years of Le-Mans was a 10 year gap during World War 2, and in 1936 when the race didn’t take place because France was on strike.
Rolex has been a sponsor since 2001 and the winners of the race receive a Daytona each as well as the trophy.
The “Le Mans” was released during the centenary race in ‘23 and predictably set a small fire in the loins of a few collectors, most notably due to the dial configuration and the reappearance of the Newman style square subdial markers which haven’t been seen on a new Daytona since 1987.
An interesting side note - Paul Newman entered and came second in the 1979 Le Mans race, which may link (and this is pure speculation on my part) to the markers associated with his 6239 Daytona making an appearance on Rolexes homage.
Newmans Daytona was a gift from his wife Joanne and inscribed with “drive carefully, me”.
Wise words if he was racing in it.
Naturally, because Rolex are saucy flirts who almost never give collectors *exactly* what they want, it looks like the Le Mans Daytona is going to be a precious metal run.
We’ve seen white gold, this current model is presented in yellow gold. It may end there, or we may see Everose or platinum in the future - who knows where the brand is going to go next with them, but I don’t see it ever being produced in steel.
Maybe I’d give it as much chance as a 904L Day-Date.
That said, it really does look superb in precious metal and the extra weight of the material lets you know, albeit subtly, that there’s something special on your wrist.
Stats are the same as any other Daytona and the watch is a perfect fit for the majority of wrists at 40mm, just shy of 12mm thick with a lug to lug of 46.6mm with 100m of water resistance.
I don’t think it would be too much of a stretch to note that the dial of the Le Mans is an aesthetically pleasing modern hybrid of the 6263 “Big Red” and Newman Daytonas.
Given that 2023 marked the 60th anniversary of the Rolex Daytona as well as 100 years of the famous endurance race, these various nods to the golden oldies are significant.
I have to add that the “deco” styled square Newman markers give the Le-Mans best sub-dials I’ve ever seen on a modern Rolex. Be still my heritage driven heart!
Another nice touch is the 100 marker of the cerachrom bezel being highlighted on red to mark the centenary. Subtle but very cool.
The Le-Mans edition Daytona features an exhibition caseback, as well as a different movement - Cal. 4132 which is particular to the watch as the standard Daytona 12 hour sub-dial (located at 9) has been dispatched in favour of a 24 hour one because what’s the point in having a Le Mans chronograph that only measures half the race…
Unless Rolex plans to make any more 24 hour chronographs as the years go on, calibre 4132 is going to be fitted to this watch only.
The Le-Mans Special Editions really do have it all.
They celebrate 100 years subtly and without splashy branding, they are ultra modern with iconic vintage design cues, not to mention a model specific movement, and this yellow gold variant is an altogther warmer rendition than the original white release.
There’s a strong reason to collect all of the “Le Mans” set, and I suspect that some will as this iteration of the Daytona has driven fans wild from the start..