Lunette Noire after 28 years
With the introduction of the Ref. 116500LN, Rolex has revived an old Daytona tradition. Even the reserved Swiss Manufacture, which relies on evolution rather than revolution, cannot completely escape the Heritage trend and has taken up some historical features with the Ref. 116500. The Rolex 116500LN shows that the current Daytona - just like the original models - again featuring a black bezel: LN stands for "lunette noir" (German: Schwarze Lünette). In addition, the manufacturer has given the current model the red Daytona lettering above the totalizer at six o'clock, which the four-digit vintage references already had.
What does the Ref. 116500LN reveal?
The reference numbers at Rolex can be broken down logically for the most part. It has already been explained that the LN of the Rolex 116500LN stands for "lunette noir". The zero at the end reveals that it is a stainless steel model, a three stands for a material mix of stainless steel and yellow gold, a one for a mix of stainless steel and Everose gold. On some models - such as the Rolex Datejust - the reference numbers also reveal whether the bezel is smooth or fluted.
The one in second place indicates that the Ref. 116500 has not yet been equipped with the latest generation of Rolex calibres. It is therefore conceivable, as with other models, that a Ref. 126500LN will be launched in the foreseeable future, featuring a reworked Rolex calibre with a higher power reserve and the new Parachrom hairspring.