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What Is the John Mayer Daytona? Rolex 116508 vs. the New 126508

The John Mayer Daytona is the discontinued Rolex 116508, with green subdials and red accents. The current 126508 keeps the green-and-gold look but changes the dial.
Estimate3–4 min Catalogued SpecialistWatchRanker Team
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The original “John Mayer Daytona” is the yellow-gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508, distinguished by its green dial, green subdials and red accents. Rolex discontinued that reference in 2023; its current green-and-gold successor is ref. 126508, with gold subdials. The nickname reflects collector attention sparked by Mayer’s praise—not an official Rolex model name or a promise of investment returns.

What is the John Mayer Daytona?

It is the nickname collectors use for the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 with a green dial and an 18 kt yellow-gold case, bezel and Oyster bracelet. The 40 mm watch launched in 2016. Musician and watch collector John Mayer praised it in a 2019 episode of Hodinkee’s Talking Watches, helping draw attention to a configuration that had previously received less notice. Hodinkee recalls Mayer later asking, “How does nobody notice this?”

The nickname belongs most precisely to the discontinued ref. 116508. It is not Rolex’s official name for the watch, and it should not be confused with the green-and-gold ref. 126508 now in Rolex’s catalog.

How does the current green-and-gold Daytona differ?

Rolex’s current ref. 126508 keeps the yellow-gold case, bracelet and tachymetric bezel with a bright green dial, but its dial layout is different. The most visible distinction is the subdials: they are green on the original 116508, alongside red accents, and contrasting gold on the 126508.

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Detail Original John Mayer Daytona Current green-and-gold Daytona
Reference 116508 126508
Status Discontinued in 2023, according to Hodinkee Current Rolex catalog configuration on the US product page
Dial Green subdials and red accents Bright green and golden dial with gold subdials
Movement Calibre 4130, per Sotheby’s listing Calibre 4131, per Rolex
Buying route Secondary market; today’s transaction price is not established by the cited sources Rolex directs customers to official Rolex jewelers for sales and service

Hodinkee describes the newer dial’s green as sunburst-finished. The overall color combination is familiar, but the two references are not identical watches.

What does the current ref. 126508 cost and include?

Rolex’s US product page lists the ref. 126508 configuration at $55,200 USD. That is the listed price on the US page accessed October 8, 2026; check Rolex’s page for current price and availability. Rolex specifies a 40 mm 18 kt yellow-gold case, bright green and golden dial, gold bezel engraved with a tachymetric scale, and Oyster bracelet.

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The manufacturer lists its self-winding mechanical chronograph movement as calibre 4131, with approximately 72 hours of power reserve, water resistance to 100 metres / 330 feet, and Superlative Chronometer certification. These are Rolex’s stated specifications, not independent test results. Rolex says the tachymeter scale can be used to read average speed over a distance from elapsed time.

For sales and service, Rolex directs buyers to official Rolex jewelers. Its product page is the US listing for Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126508.

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Why did the 116508 become a “hype-piece”?

The nickname’s staying power comes from the combination of an unusually vivid green-and-gold design and Mayer’s public endorsement. GQ describes Mayer’s 2019 praise as calling the watch a “sleeper hit”; that is GQ’s characterization of the episode, rather than a verified full verbatim quotation here. Hodinkee’s account of his later reaction captures the surprise at how little attention the watch had initially attracted.

That cultural attention is different from a dependable forecast of resale value. GQ reported a $34,650 retail price for the 116508 in 2016 and later secondary-market prices of $70,000–$100,000, varying with condition and whether box and papers were present. Those are historical figures reported by GQ, not current asking prices, verified transaction prices or a present-day valuation guide. The available sources do not establish today’s transaction price for the discontinued reference.

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  • Outside opening:39.3 mm; Inside opening: 31.5mm;Thickness: 2.6mm
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How can you look for the discontinued 116508?

Because Rolex discontinued the 116508 in 2023, buyers seeking that exact dial layout will need to look to the secondary market rather than Rolex’s current catalog. Sotheby’s has a product page for the reference, but its listing status can change, and the page warns that its image may be representative. A product page does not guarantee that a watch is available to buy.

Before purchasing a pre-owned example, confirm the exact reference and dial configuration in person or through clear documentation, and assess condition and included box and papers: GQ’s reported historical price range varied on those factors. Do not assume an asking price is a completed-sale value.

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Sources and specifications

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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