Pre-owned Rolex Daytona: UK prices and what to check
The Daytona is Rolex's chronograph and one of the most sought-after watches in the world. Buying one pre-owned in the UK is safest through Rolex Certified Pre-Owned at an authorised dealer, or a marketplace with escrow and authentication; below are the references, what to check on this model, and where to look.
Updated 6 Nov 2026. Watches aren't investments; prices fall as well as rise.
New vs pre-owned
Rolex doesn't publish UK prices online; ask an authorised dealer.
UK pre-owned price index coming soon.
References
| Ref | Made | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 126500LN | 2023– | Steel, ceramic bezel, calibre 4131 |
| 116500LN | 2016–2023 | Steel, ceramic bezel, calibre 4130 |
| 116520 | 2000–2016 | Steel bezel, calibre 4130 |
| 16520 | 1988–2000 | Steel bezel, Zenith-based movement |
Why people buy it
The Daytona is Rolex's chronograph and one of the most sought-after watches in the world. Steel models are very hard to buy new from a dealer, which is why so many change hands pre-owned.
What to check on a pre-owned Cosmograph Daytona
- Fakes: the Daytona is one of the most copied watches. Buy only from a dealer or marketplace that authenticates, and be wary of any price well below the market.
- Dial variants: white ('panda') and black dials on the steel model, plus many gold and gem-set variants. Check the dial matches the reference and the papers.
- Chronograph: the pushers screw down; start, stop and reset should all work crisply, and the seconds hand should snap back to zero.
- Bezel: ceramic on the 116500LN and 126500LN, steel on earlier steel models. Check the tachymeter scale for chips or scratches.
- Subdials: the small dials should be evenly spaced and the hands aligned at zero.
- Papers and serial: the serial on the warranty card should match the watch.
- Service history: a chronograph costs more to service; ask when it was last done and by whom.
More on buying safely: our pre-owned guide.
Where to buy
Dealer links may earn us a commission; it never decides what we recommend.
Questions
How much is a pre-owned Rolex Daytona in the UK?
It depends on the reference, condition, and whether it has its box and papers. We're building a UK pre-owned price index from authenticated listings; until then, compare like-for-like listings on Chrono24 and eBay's Authenticity Guarantee.
Is it safe to buy a Rolex Daytona pre-owned?
It can be, if you buy from an authorised pre-owned programme, an established dealer, or a marketplace that holds your money in escrow and authenticates the watch. Check the serial against the papers, ask for service history, and never pay a stranger by bank transfer.
What should I check before buying a used Cosmograph Daytona?
Fakes: the Daytona is one of the most copied watches. Buy only from a dealer or marketplace that authenticates, and be wary of any price well below the market. Dial variants: white ('panda') and black dials on the steel model, plus many gold and gem-set variants. Check the dial matches the reference and the papers. Chronograph: the pushers screw down; start, stop and reset should all work crisply, and the seconds hand should snap back to zero.
Does a pre-owned Rolex Daytona hold its value?
Some models have sold above their new price for long spells, but watches aren't investments: prices fall as well as rise. Buy one because you want to wear it.
What is Rolex Certified Pre-Owned?
Rolex's own pre-owned programme: second-hand Rolex watches checked by an authorised dealer under Rolex's rules and sold with a Rolex guarantee. In the UK, authorised dealers including Goldsmiths and Mappin & Webb sell them. They cost more than a typical private sale, but you know what you're getting.