History, Top Models, Pricing & More
As one of the world’s leading watch brands, Rolex is globally renowned for its quality benchmark and incredible craftsmanship. And, with more than a century of history, it’s undeniable that they manufacture the best watches on the market today – and the remarkable Rolex Daytona Panda is no exception. An updated version of their iconic Daytona models, the Rolex Daytona Panda combines black and white with gold accents to create a beautiful look unlike any other watch.
In this ultimate guide to the Rolex Daytona Panda, we’re going to outline everything you need to know about this exquisite bear-inspired timepiece – from popular references to must-see pricing information.
Rolex Daytona Panda: An Overview
If you know anything about the Rolex Daytona collection, you know that it’s seen its fair share of evolutions since its first release in 1963 – and the Rolex Daytona Panda is certainly no exception. Much like the entire Daytona collection, the Daytona Panda was also made famous by the one and only Paul Newman. The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona watch that Newman made famous is known today as the Daytona Panda because of its black and white color scheme, reminiscent of the panda bear.
The original Paul Newman Daytona Panda was worn by the actor in 1968 and was later sold in October 2017 for a whopping $17.75 million. On average, most of the 1963 to 1970 Rolex Daytona Pandas have flaunted expensive price tags since the infamous auction.
Today, new releases of the Daytona Panda feature a fresh case shape and dial design. Many consider the Rolex Daytona Panda as the very best in watchmaking history. Inspired by racing cars, this watch has captured the imagination of sports enthusiasts and motorcycle lovers alike. Panda offerings come in various styles and colors, including diamond inlays, variations of strap colors, and a price range to suit every taste. You may have even seen a few of these on the wrists of celebrities, rappers, and famous personalities before deciding to purchase one for yourself.
Key Features & Innovations
Over the decades, Rolex has introduced a number of different styles to the Daytona collection. However, this iteration’s eye-catching color scheme, design, and durable construction live up to the collection’s hallmarks.
- Materials – It’s important to note that the Rolex Daytona Panda is based on the Rolex Daytona steel model, but does have distinct differences from its predecessor. Collectors can also marvel at the design’s use of 18k gold and white gold.
- Dial – Take a glimpse through the glass and you’ll notice that the hour markers are triangle-shaped, and the outline of their sheen is filled with luxurious specs. The “panda” nickname also pays homage to the watch’s white subdials and black outer rim, allowing for increased legibility.
- Bezel – The ceramic bezel has two black inserts on each side. This makes it look more modern than other models in its class while still retaining its class aesthetic like the chronograph subdials.
- Bracelet – Featuring Rolex’s Oyster bracelet, this timepiece can be easily adjusted to fit your wrist size by removing or adding links.
- Movement – The caliber is a self-winding chronograph movement that operates at peak performance. It’s robust, reliable, efficient, precise, and easy to maintain. Additionally, its tachymeter scale can measure speed accurately based on elapsed time.
- Sapphire crystal – Enjoy peace of mind knowing that the sapphire crystal case is a protective cover with anti-reflective coating on both sides to ensure durability and visibility under almost any condition.
- Case – The durable Oystersteel case also features a screw-down winding crown for added security and water resistance.
Important Information & Terminology
There are a few important things you need to know about the Rolex Daytona Panda because it’s an incredibly rare timepiece and it’s highly sought-after on the secondary watch market—making it all the more important to understand before making an investment.
- It caused an auction frenzy. The 1971 ref. 6263 Paul Newman Rolex Daytona Panda watch was sold at an online auction in 2020 for $500,000.
- It’s one of the most expensive watches on the market. And, it’s also one of the rarest and most coveted; only a few hundred references are made each year.
- The Rolex Daytona Panda is likely to increase in value. Because of its scarcity, this timepiece will only increase in value over time as there are fewer and fewer made available.
Price Range for the Rolex Oyster Perpetual
The Rolex Daytona Panda series is a gleam of excellence, and this beauty will spare no expense. Its value depends on the model, production year, and band you choose. On average, expect to spend around $34,000. With pre-owned Rolex watch model prices, we might see collections start at $15,000 and tops out at around $40,000. Of course, auction prices and secondary market values for coveted Paul Newman pieces will cost a pretty penny—potentially upward of $500,000, to cite the 2020 online auction as an example.
| Model/ Reference | Current Buy Price | Materials | Features |
| Ref. 6240 | Call for quote | Call for details | Vintage chronograph |
| Ref. 116500LN | $34, 225 | Stainless Steel | Automatic, Steel |
| Ref. 116519LN | $42,995 | White Gold | Automatic, Rubber bracelet |
| Ref. 116503 | $25,225 | Gold & Steel | Automatic, Two Tone |
| Ref. 16520 | $26,495 | Stainless Steel | Automatic, Tachymeter bezel |
Top 5 Rolex Daytona Pandas
It goes without question – the Rolex Daytona Panda is an exceptional model. The newest update to the Rolex Daytona collection looks even better than the older versions. The new bezel action and dial design are free of any hour markers, resulting in a cleaner overall look. Old versus new aside, here’s a list of our favorite Daytona Panda references.
Rolex Daytona Panda ref. 116500LN
Featuring a uniquely designed dial with a black and white, panda-like design, this Rolex Daytona model watch is a limited edition timepiece. Its ceramic casing and surface give the timepiece an additional shine.
Key Features:
- 40mm case size
- Water-resistance up to 100m
- Oyster bracelet
- Automatic in-house caliber 4130
Price:
- This watch is currently available on the secondary marketplace for around $35,000, but prices fluctuate rapidly due to demand.
Rolex Daytona Panda Cosmograph
Designed for the true connoisseur, this panoramic timepiece provides a unique and powerful experience. It has a 40mm diameter case with screw-down push buttons and a stainless steel Oyster bracelet with a flip-lock clasp to fit your wrist comfortably. It will look great on any wrist and draw attention wherever you go.
Key Features:
- 40mm case size
- Screw-down push buttons
- Oyster bracelet
- Automatic caliber 4130
Price:
- This watch is currently available to buy new for around $15,000, but pricing may fluctuate.
Rolex Daytona Panda ref. 116519LN
This Rolex Cosmograph Daytona features the famous tachymetric scale designed to help calculate the average speed over a fixed distance. It is made of 18k white gold with a black dial and cerachrom bezel. The face is composed of a meteorite dial, with highly reflective hour markers and hands adorned in white gold. Once you own it, you enjoy quality workmanship combined with a powerful appeal for collectors and investors alike.
Key Features:
- 40mm case
- Made of 18k white gold
- Features a tachymeter scale
- Water-resistant up to 100m
- Automatic caliber 4130
Price:
- This watch is currently available on the secondary marketplace for prices ranging from $45,000 to nearly $100,000. Prices fluctuate rapidly due to demand.
Rolex Daytona Panda ref. 6239 Paul Newman
The Rolex Paul Newman Daytona and its exotic dial are perhaps among the most sought-after vintage Rolex Daytonas today. This model was created to honor the actor and race car driver Paul Newman. The watch’s exotic dial design is nicknamed “panda” due to its black-and-white color scheme. Wearing it adds a touch of class with the art deco panda dial face and steel bezel.
Key Features:
- 37mm case
- Manual winding caliber 722
- Available in leather and steel bracelet options
- Not water-resistant
Price:
- This watch is currently available on the secondary marketplace for prices ranging from $60,000 to over $250,000. Prices fluctuate rapidly due to demand.
Rolex Daytona Panda ref. 6240
It took a few years for Rolex to make the Daytona fully waterproof. However, the ref. 6240 marked the beginning of an excellent engineering solution that allowed its watch to be submerged for up to one full hour. With its sleek and classic lines, this timepiece, represented by its white dial and black bezel, is as luxurious as it is timeless. The silver sunburst dial is encased in a durable Oystersteel case, making it the perfect addition to your collection.
Key Features:
- 37mm case size
- Manual winding caliber 722
- Leather and steel bracelet options
- Waterproof
Price:
- This watch is currently available on the secondary marketplace for prices ranging from nearly $100,000 to over $300,000. Prices fluctuate rapidly due to demand.
Reviews of Popular Daytona Panda Models
Interested in learning more about the Rolex Daytona Panda and related models? Join our experts in reviewing and comparing some of the collection’s most intricate and captivating timepieces.
- Rolex Daytona: Modern vs. Vintage Comparison Guide
- Top Rolex Daytona Models
- Rolex Daytona 116500LN – Ultimate Collector’s Guide
- Why Is It So Hard to Find the Rolex Daytona?
- Ceramic or Steel Bezel? Rolex Daytona 116500 vs Daytona 116520
Buying & Selling Daytona Panda Watches
When considering buying a pre-owned Rolex watch, it’s important to decide whether or not you want to buy a new model or a pre-owned one. New timepieces are typically more expensive than pre-owned ones and come with the luxury brand’s warranty. However, buying pre-owned could be an excellent option if you are interested in investing in an expensive timepiece and don’t want to spend as much money upfront. Besides being in near-mint condition, pre-owned watches from reputable secondary marketplaces, like Bob’s Watches, are also thoroughly inspected and authenticated before being presented for sale. Plus, many of our pre-owned pieces come with the original box and papers for your record keeping.
Interested in selling or trading your Rolex Daytona Panda watch? Get in touch with our experts to learn more about the process and get an estimated value for your piece.
Learn More About Rolex
Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis, Rolex is the world’s most famous luxury watch brand, known for its prestigious Swiss-made watches that feature high-quality craftsmanship, timeless designs, and innovative features. Some of the brand’s most famous collections include the Submariner, Daytona, and the Datejust.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Daytona Panda
How much is a Rolex Panda worth?
The Rolex Daytona Panda is one of the rarest and most coveted models on the luxury watch market today. With its historical ties to Paul Newman, increasing fan base, and limited annual production number, it’s not uncommon to see prices skyrocket. Remember that the price for a Rolex Panda will depend on various factors including specific reference number and demand. For example, collectors may be able to purchase a pre-owned Rolex Panda for as low as $35,000 on the secondary market. Other collectors looking for vintage pieces like references 6239 and 6240 can expect to pay anywhere from $60,000 to over $300,000.
What is a Rolex Daytona Panda?
The Rolex Daytona Panda describes any Rolex Daytona chronograph dial that is white with black sub-dials, closely resembling a panda’s face. Technically, the term only applies to Daytona 6263 and 6235 models, but has been casually used to describe other Daytonas with the same color scheme.
When did the Rolex Daytona Panda come out?
The Rolex Daytona Panda was officially deemed a watch model in the 1960s when actor Paul Newman wore the white dial, black subdial version of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. The latest iteration of the Daytona Panda was released in 2016.
Why is the Rolex Daytona Panda expensive?
The Rolex Daytona Panda is known to be one of the most expensive models on the market because it’s extremely rare and highly sought-after by collectors and watch enthusiasts. Because of its rarity and limited annual production number, the Rolex Daytona Panda will likely increase in value over time.
