Gem-set Daytona watches have been popular within certain watch-collecting circles ever since perfect replica Rolex started making them. However, conversations about them became more mainstream over the last decade or so with the likes of the Rainbow, Eye of the Tiger, diamond-set “Platona,” and plenty of off-catalog models transforming into the darlings of the “unobtainium” Rolex references. At Watches and Wonders 2024, luxury fake Rolex doubled down on this part of its collection by releasing a slate of bejeweled Daytona watches. We went hands-on with two of them: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126579RBR and the cheap fake Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126589RBR, both fancy distant cousins of the Daytona Panda, complete with white gold cases, mother-of-pearl dials, and diamond-set bezels.
For those who have handled 1:1 fake Rolex Daytona chronographs, you know that they generally wear more compact than their 40mm-wide measurements suggest. This makes for a pleasant experience on the wrist. As always, they’re slim (about 11.90mm thick) and restrained in proportions, and it’s easy to understand why the Daytona is often cited as one of the most comfortable luxury chronographs on the market. In 2023, aaa quality replica Rolex released an entirely new generation of the Daytona. When David Bredan went deep into figuring out the differences between the old Daytona and the new Daytona, he discovered that the newer ones are, in fact, 1mm wider, clocking in at 39.88mm. Now, the extravagant diamond-set bezel, set with 36 brilliant-cut diamonds, adds even more volume to the look of the watch — like wearing white clothes can give the illusion of a larger frame. And I suppose if you’re going for a diamond variant of the Swiss movement copy Rolex Daytona, larger and flashier are the goals.
In addition to diamonds replacing the signature tachymeter bezel, the mother-of-pearl dials are the other flamboyant detail on these new Daytona references. The high quality replica Rolex Daytona ref. 126589RBR is furnished with a white MOP dial with black MOP counters—a precious take on the fan-favorite “panda” colorway, if you will. Conversely, the Daytona ref. 126579RBR is a “reverse panda” execution, featuring a black mother-of-pearl dial with white MOP subdials. Mother-of-pearl’s main party trick is that it can take on a whole new color depending on how the light hits it, which is especially true of the darker variations. As you can see from the photos, the black MOP counters can range from light pink/purple to a shimmering grayish-black shade. In the metal, the black MOP dials and/or counters don’t look nearly as chocolaty brown as the top super clone Rolex press pictures depict.
According to cheap replica Rolex, “The disks of material used for the dial and the counters are positioned to optimize the color intensity of each variety of mother-of-pearl and further enhance the contrast between them.” The company asserts that an entirely new manufacturing process was created to achieve this. I can confirm that the color of the dials is indeed intense, and the legibility of the white counters on the darker background is better than the opposite colorway. AAA quality fake Rolex also opted to add eight diamond hour markers, leaving room for three Chromalight lume-coated rectangles at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and naturally, the brand’s emblematic coronet at 12.
Aside from the dials, another difference between this pair of gem-set Rolex Daytonas replica for sale is the bracelet. The white MOP dialed 126589RBR is paired with an Oysterflex bracelet whereas the black MOP dialed 126579RBR includes a white gold Oyster bracelet, both equipped with the Oysterlock folding safety clasp in white gold. The Oysterflex nudges the watch more into the sporty realm, but not by much. It’s still a Daytona dripping in diamonds and no strap, even a black rubber one, can tame the lavishness on full display.
If I had the pick of owning any top quality replica Rolex Daytona, these wouldn’t be on the top of my list (or, frankly, on my list). However, between the two, I’d go for the Oyster bracelet black MOP dial. Not only do I find the white gold bracelet more attractive (I’m not the biggest fan of the Oysterflex in general) but also, for me, an Oyster bracelet is more in line with how a Daytona should look and feel. Furthermore, although undoubtedly opulent, the darker “reverse precious panda” dial is slightly subtler to my eye than the lighter one. The best quality fake Rolex Daytona ref. 126589RBR retails for $61,400 USD while the Rolex Daytona ref. 126579RBR retails for $70,100 USD.
