Baselworld 2017 – The Rolex Daytona In Three Gold & Ceramic Options and now With Oysterflex Bracelet

Last year, Rolex was the talk of Baselworld thanks to its insanely popular stainless steel Daytona with Cerachrom bezel 116500LN (see our hands on review here). Not surprisingly then, the ‘Crown’ is making some further additions to the Daytona line-up this year, all in precious metals (Yellow, White and Rose Gold) and all featuring black Cerachrom bezels. What is surprising however, and pleasantly so, is the fact that all three models are fitted with the brand’s patented Oysterflex bracelet and safety clasp.

When we published our annual Rolex Baselworld 2017 predictions, we guessed correctly that Rolex would launch an 18k white gold version of the Daytona this year, complete with Cerachrom bezel. What we didn’t see coming though, was the fact that it would be paired with a rubber Oysterflex bracelet. In addition to the white gold version, there is also an 18k yellow gold model and an Everose gold model.

The Oytserflex bracelet was first introduced in 2015 on the Rolex Yacht-Master (see our hands on review here). The underlying idea is to provide the comfort and sporty style of a rubber strap but with the robustness and longevity of a metal bracelet. At its core is a superelastic metal blade, over the top of which has been moulded a high-performance black elastomer – a durable material that is particularly resistant to environmental effects.

The strap is closed using an Oysterlock safety clasp in the same metal as the case, which has been designed to prevent accidental opening. It is also equipped with the Rolex-patented Easylink rapid extension system that enables you to increase the bracelet length by approximately 5 mm in case your wrists swell a bit in the heat, etc.

For the rest of the new Daytona collection, everything pretty much stays the same (as we would expect – it is Rolex after all). The case is still 40mm and all three models are equipped with the self-winding calibre 4130, which has been upgraded to the Rolex Superlative Chronometer Certification of being accurate to +2/-2 seconds per day.

The dials of all three models feature a sunray finish and contrasting black subdials, with the hands made from the same metal as the case and filed in with Chromalight (the Rolex version of lume). The white gold version gets a silvery dial, whilst the yellow gold model has a champagne dial and the Everose gold model has an Everose dial. Prices are: EUR 25,000 for the Yellow Gold 116518LN, EUR 26,150 for the White Gold 116519LN, EUR 26,150 for the Everose 116515LN.

Stay tuned for live photos once we get hands on with these models soon.