Farewell to the Icon: Rolex Discontinues ‘Le Mans’ Daytona Model

In the midst of Rolex’s latest releases for Watches & Wonders 2024, one significant development has emerged: the discontinuation of the “Le Mans” Daytona. This decision marks a notable shift in the lineup. To provide some background, last year saw the introduction of the Le Mans Daytona, a tribute to the 100th anniversary of the iconic 24 Hours of Le Mans endurance race, famously associated with Steve McQueen. The previous year’s model, crafted in white gold, featured an open case back revealing the Caliber 4230, a movement loosely derived from the updated Daytona 4130 reference unveiled at Watches & Wonders in 2023. The new Caliber 4132 boasted a maximum chronograph measurement of 24 hours, a fitting enhancement for a race spanning a full day.

This timepiece paid homage to the race with its reverse panda dial, a distinctive black ceramic tachymeter scale adorned with a red “100,” and a movement tailored to the demands of the endurance event. Drawing inspiration from Rolex’s historical connection to Le Mans and the vintage charm of ’60s “exotic” dials, the watch represented a meaningful fusion of heritage and innovation. However, a search for reference number 126529LN on Rolex.com now yields no results, signaling the swift discontinuation of the model. Remarkably, considering its June release last year, this move suggests that the Le Mans Daytona might have had one of the shortest production runs in modern Rolex history.

This timepiece not only honored the rich legacy of Le Mans but also underscored Rolex’s enduring presence in motorsports and the cultural significance of the Daytona as a premier chronograph in this arena. While the discontinuation of this iconic model may come as a surprise, it appears that Rolex is poised to introduce a yellow-gold variant in its place. Stay tuned for further updates on this development.