The Daytona has always been a watch associated with speed, precision, and motorsport heritage; but every now and then Rolex reminds us that it can do elegance just as convincingly. This ref. 116509 with its spectacular grossular dial is one of those moments.

At first glance, the watch carries the familiar understated presence of a white gold Daytona. To the untrained eye it could easily be mistaken for steel, but the substantial heft of the solid 18k white gold case and bracelet quickly gives the game away.

Then there is the dial. Crafted from grossular, it transforms the Daytona from an already desirable chronograph into something truly uncommon. Grossular is a rare variety of garnet prized for its rich organic texture and deep earthy tones, and Rolex selected only the most visually striking sections for these dials. The stone’s natural patterning creates incredible depth, shifting subtly under different lighting conditions and ensuring that no two examples are exactly alike.

The warmth and complexity of the grossular dial contrast beautifully against the cool tones of the white gold case. Applied white gold Arabic quarters, diamond hourmarkers and recessed subdials give the dial a striking look.The signature red Daytona name subtly remind you of the model’s racing DNA. It is a remarkably balanced design with white printing and closed hands.

Powering the watch is Rolex’s celebrated Caliber 4130, the brand’s first fully in-house automatic chronograph movement. Introduced in 2000, the movement quickly became renowned for its reliability, efficiency, and robust construction, cementing the modern Daytona’s reputation as one of the finest everyday chronographs ever made.

Rarely seen and even more rarely offered, the grossular dial Daytona occupies a special place within the Daytona universe. It combines the stealthy appeal of white gold with one of the most unusual and captivating stone dials Rolex has ever produced; a watch that feels every bit as special as it looks. This example dates to 2009 and remains in excellent overall condition. The case retains strong proportions with thick lugs and crisp edges, while the Oyster bracelet remains tight and well preserved.