Rolex Fake “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona, What Is Commemorating?

On June 11, 2023, Rolex launched the “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona, model 126529.

Rolex “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529

“Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529, platinum case, platinum bracelet, and the movement is through the bottom. It is the second Daytona with a transparent action in the current Daytona series, after the Platinum Ice Landi. In addition to the transparent base, the “special commemorative edition” Daytona 126529 is close to the antique Daytona “Paul Newman” on the disk, and there are also changes in the movement function. Today, let’s look at the “special edition” Daytona, especially where it is.

“Special commemorative edition” Daytona, what is commemorating?

Le Mans Endurance Race is a racing competition, and the Le Mans circuit is in France. A racing car with three racers takes turns to drive. The race started in 1923; today, 2023, is the 100th anniversary. Rolex is a partner (official timekeeper) of the Le Man’s 24-hour endurance race, so Rolex launched a “special commemorative edition” Daytona 126529 to commemorate the 100th anniversary.

It can be seen that Rolex is the sponsor of the Le Mans 24 Hours Endurance Race, and Rolex will be given a prize if it wins.

There are generally two types of cars in the 24 Hours of Le Mans (two significant groups, subdivisions are not involved for the time being). One is the prototype group, and the other is the GTE group. It is a unique racing car, so it is called a prototype car; the GTE group is a car modified by mass-produced sports cars such as Ferrari, Porsche 911, and Aston Martin. Two kinds of racing cars compete simultaneously, running mixed on the same track, and each counts its results. I found the photos of these two racing cars, which are Porsches, so that you can tell at a glance.

Porsche, Le Mans Prototype race car

Porsche, Le Mans GTE race car

How similar is the “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona to the antique Daytona “Paul Newman”? A little bit.

“Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529, in appearance, absorbs some characteristics of the antique Daytona “Paul Newman.” The “Paul Newman” dial refers to the Rolex antique Daytona 6239, 6241, 6263, and other models, a dial design that appeared from 1963 to 1987. The characteristic is that the small chronograph dial uses a “small square” scale, and the hour markers and chronograph scales are located on the outer circle of the dial. The black and white contrasting color matching dial is used, named after the actor Paul Newman wears it.

Rolex “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529 (left) and Rolex Daytona 6241 “Paul Newman” (right).

From Rolex’s new “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona, it can be seen that the black and white panda color of the dial is matched, and the small white chronograph dial uses the iconic “small square” scale of “Paul Newman.” Above the small seconds dial at 6 o’clock is the red DAYTONA, with a black bezel; the appearance has the charm of the antique Daytona 6241 “Paul Newman.” On the tachymeter scale on the ceramic ring, the number 100 is painted red to highlight the 100th anniversary.

Rolex “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529 and Rolex Daytona 6241 “Paul Newman”

In addition to the above details, in terms of the overall design, the “special commemorative edition” Daytona 126529 is consistent with the new generation of Daytona that has been updated this year. For example, the outer edge of the ceramic ring has a metal edging, and the edging material is the same as that of the case, which is 18K white gold. The dial time scale is a new slender time scale—none of these changes.

Rolex “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529, the bezel is bounded, and the 100 scale on the bezel is red.

“Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona, once again, the movement is through the bottom, and the function of the campaign has slightly changed.

At the beginning of this year, Rolex launched the Daytona 126506 with a platinum shell and ice blue face, the first time that Daytona has seen through the bottom. And now, following closely behind, this “special commemorative edition” Daytona 126529 has become the second through-the-bottom Daytona. “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529, using Rolex 4132 automatic chronograph movement. 4132 is a model that has not appeared before. Previously, the Rolex chronograph movement has always been 4130, and this year’s upgraded version 4131. What is the situation with 4132 on this watch?

The 4132 movement of the “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona is based on the 4131 movement with a slight change. The 12-hour clock at 9 o’clock on the dial of the 4130/4131 movement was changed to a 24-hour clock. To echo the 24-hour race of Le Mans. Because of this small change, a new number of 4132 was used. In other aspects of the movement, the 4132 campaign is the same as the 4131 currently used by the new Daytona. Like the blue niobium hairspring, Chronergy escapement upgraded ball bearing automatic rotor (increased number of hops), and 72 hours of power; these have not changed. The 4132 movement also uses an all-gold automatic rotor to match the bottom.

The “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona uses the 4132 automatic chronograph movement.

Is it cool for a while, or is it always cool?

For other famous watches, it is widespread to see through the bottom. But for Rolex, it is a scarce thing. Almost all Rolex is not transparent from ancient times to the present except for very few models, such as the Prince. But this year, Perpetual 1908, Platinum Ice Landi, and this “special commemorative edition” Daytona is all through. Through the bottom, it is now a primary “magic weapon” of Rolex fake. Since Rolex attaches great importance to the continuation of its history, it is difficult for the watch’s appearance design to undergo “shattering” changes, and the dial paint can only be changed yearly. And the trick of showing through the bottom is very eye-catching. It can be seen that once Rolex has opened a hole through the bottom, there will be the first one, the second one, and the third one. In the future, there may be more and more Rolex replica watches. But everyone knows that the bottom is a double-edged sword for Rolex. If there is little transparency, everyone pays attention; if there is a lot of clarity, everyone is not surprised.

Finally, the “Special Commemorative Edition” Daytona 126529 has an overseas public price of 42407 euros, about 327644 yuan. This “special commemorative edition” Daytona is unlimited, but the production is scarce, and the actual cost has skyrocketed. But we should also notice that the overall price of famous watches has been falling recently. We will wait and see how high the actual price of the “special commemorative edition” Daytona 126529 can be.