Rolex Quietly Expands Daytona Line with Seven Stealth Releases

Amidst the fanfare surrounding Rolex’s headline-grabbing novelties at Watches 2025 – including significant updates to the Land-Dweller collection, a striking white gold and ceramic GMT-Master II “Sprite,” and the new Settimo bracelet for the 1908 – the brand executed a remarkably quiet maneuver. Alongside the bold, turquoise-dialed yellow gold Daytona, Rolex discreetly introduced seven additional iterations of its legendary chronograph. These models, subtly marked as “new” on the brand’s website but absent from official press materials and salon presentations, represent refined updates of beloved classics, now incorporating the technical and aesthetic evolutions of the latest Daytona generation.

These seven fake watches (eight, if counting the publicized turquoise model) aren’t radical departures. Instead, they revisit successful past designs, meticulously updated with the defining features of the 2025 Daytona refresh (reference 1265xx). This means each benefits from the advanced Calibre 4131 movement, subtly refined case proportions, a redesigned dial with sleeker hour markers and track rings, and the distinctive bezel featuring a precious metal frame encircling the Cerachrom ceramic insert where applicable. The stealth launch encompasses three highly coveted meteorite dial variations, a revived blue dial in white gold, rich chocolate brown options for Everose gold, and an eagerly awaited return of the “John Mayer” configuration.

The resurrected “John Mayer” Daytona emerges as a standout. Originally known for its full yellow gold case, bezel, bracelet, and deep “Rolex Green” dial with matching sub-dials and gold accents, the 2025 iteration (reference 126508-0008) preserves this iconic foundation while introducing subtle refinements. The green dial appears in a potentially lighter shade, now contrasted with gold-tone sub-dials. Naturally, it incorporates the generation’s hallmark slimmer indices, hands, and track rings, housing the Calibre 4131. Priced at €48,400, this modern tribute reaffirms a legendary combination.

Similarly, the sophisticated blue dial Daytona in white gold makes a welcome return. The new reference 126509-0005 faithfully maintains the deep blue sunray-brushed dial and matching counters of its predecessor against the cool lustre of the full white gold case and bracelet. Its update lies solely in adopting the 2025 Daytona’s technical and design refinements, presenting a refreshed classic at €51,900.

Perhaps most thrilling for collectors is the reappearance of the mesmerizing meteorite dial. Rolex has reintroduced this rare, textured stone specifically within the Oysterflex bracelet configuration paired with a black Cerachrom bezel. Available across all three signature gold variants – yellow gold (126518LN-0016), Everose gold (126515LN-0008), and white gold (126519LN-0007) – these models inherit the full suite of 2025 updates. This includes the metal-framed ceramic bezel and the refined dial layout with slimmer markers and distinct “panda-style” sub-dials. The visual drama of the meteorite is now framed by replica Rolex’s latest design language, with the yellow gold version priced at €41,850 and the white and Everose gold models at €43,750. This represents a significant premium over their pre-update counterparts, underscoring the value placed on the new generation.

The warm elegance of chocolate brown returns to grace the Everose Gold Daytona. Offered in two distinct executions, both feature a rich, sunray-brushed brown base dial contrasted by black sub-dials elegantly framed with a gold strip. The reference 126505-0005 pairs its Everose gold case with a matching metal bezel and a luxurious Everose gold bracelet, commanding €51,900. Its sibling, reference 126515LN-0010, opts for a sportier yet refined aesthetic, combining the Everose gold case with a black ceramic bezel (featuring the gold surround) and a black Oysterflex rubber bracelet, priced at €39,300. While familiar, the reappearance of these sophisticated brown dials is a welcome reinforcement of timeless style within the Daytona family. This quiet expansion showcases Rolex’s confidence in its enduring designs, masterfully enhanced for the modern era.