Rolex Ref. 116508-0013 'John Mayer' Daytona

Origins

Among the multitude of iconic watches produced by Rolex—ranging from the Explorer to the GMT-Master and the Submariner—none boasts a narrative arc quite as distinctive as the Daytona's. Now a brand unto itself – the Rolex Daytona started out as an experimental sports chronograph with automotive roots and gradually evolved into a legend which is instantly recognizable.

While Daytonas were always priced at a premium—25 percent higher than other Rolex tool watches like the Submariner or GMT-Master, they didn’t inspire a breathless fascination amidst enthusiasts as they do today. The watch's gradual rise to fame owes much to the principles of supply and demand. Initially, there was very little interest in these models, prompting Rolex to limit their production. This move unintentionally transformed the Daytona into an exceedingly rare and coveted item for its perceived scarcity.

In recent years, the biggest boost to the Daytona collection came from the groundbreaking sale of movie star Paul Newman’s Daytona. In 2017, Phillps sold the actor’s Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 6239 for a whopping USD 17.8 million – making it the most expensive wristwatch ever sold. It acted as a catalyst for the recent surge in watch investments over the past few years.
Largely known as one of the top five most desirable Daytonas from Rolex, the green-dial Ref. 116508 in 18k yellow gold has had a fantastic run since its launch in 2016. It swiftly captured the spotlight and admiration, earning a special place in the hearts of collectors and racing enthusiasts alike. Originally introduced with a price tag of USD 34,650, the watch was actually selling under retail in 2018 (at around USD 23k). Things started to look up for this model somewhere in mid 2019 – the ‘John Mayer Mania’ had played its role in boosting the watch’s performance, which was now selling at around USD 38k. Its value and subsequent price peaked in March 2022 and touched a whopping 126k.

Case & Dial

At 40mm wide with relatively narrow lugs and a thick bezel, this Rolex Daytona can be considered "ultra slim" in its proportions. The Oyster case ensures water-resistance up to 100 meters, with both the crown and chronograph pushers securely screwed down. Rolex employs a highly comfortable, tapering three-link gold bracelet, featuring a polished center link complemented by brushed outer links. 

The first ever Daytona to be adorned with a green dial with contrasting applied yellow gold hour markers, the Ref. 116508-0013 is accented with 18k yellow gold hands and hour markers, as well as a hint of red color in the “Daytona” name as well as inner rings in the chronograph subdials, and at the hour markers.

Movement

Powering this and other contemporary Rolex Cosmograph Daytona timepieces is the in-house Rolex-made Caliber 4130 automatic chronograph movement. Running at a frequency of 4Hz, it promises to deliver approximately two days of power reserve. One of the most popular movements from Rolex, Caliber 4130 with the time and 12-hour chronograph complication (with no date) is widely appreciated by aficionados.

Why ‘John Mayer’

Three years after its official launch in 2016, the green dial Daytona started to hit headlines after John Mayer – one of the most astute celebrity watch collectors – acknowledged it as a ‘sleeper hit’ in Hodinkee’s Talking Watches. As someone who likes looking “past the hype”, Mayer is particularly fond of this watch, which he snapped up soon after its launch in 2016. “It’s still out there…still floating around and it’s the future thing,” he declared on that famous episode of Talking Watches from 2019. As soon as word got out and people spotted Mayer flaunting that gorgeous green dial every now and then, there was a colossal spike in demand that pushed the watch’s retail price of USD 34,650 to as much as USD 88,000 for a pre-owned piece. There are always taste makers and influencers (in the truest sense of the word) that help shape the landscape and horological zeitgeist, one of which is John Mayer, who isn’t a dealer and has nothing to gain by ‘talking up’ a watch. He just loves them.

Celeb Love

Right from Conor McGregor to tennis legend Roger Federer, rapper Drake, and mega-influencer Supercar Blondie, the Ref. 116508-0013 has made an appearance on the wrist of almost everyone who's anyone, so it won’t be wrong to say that it’s not just a “John Mayer” Daytona anymore but one of the most important chronograph sport watches of all time.

Market Performance

As per the Wristcheck Watch Index, the Daytona ‘John Mayer’ Ref. 116508-0013 has been Rolex’s biggest success story in recent years. The watch was selling at around USD 69K in January 2023. In 2023, Rolex announced the discontinuation of this gorgeous model and it obviously led to a huge surge in demand and a subsequent skyrocketing of the watch's value in the secondary market. The prices for this bluechip model peaked in May 2023 at USD 88K and have now stabilized at around USD79K – recording a 14% increase year-on-year and a whopping premium of 127% over retail. With its limited availability, the "John Mayer Dial" has become an even more desirable and rare collector's item, immortalizing its legacy in the horological history. 

Check out the live performance of Rolex Ref. 116508-0013 'John Mayer' Daytona on The Wristcheck Index