The Rolex Ghost: Why the White Gold Daytona Everyone Whispers About Earns the Hype

The Rolex Ghost is the collector nickname for the 18k white gold Cosmograph Daytona with a steel-grey dial, bright black subdials, a black Cerachrom bezel, and an Oysterflex bracelet. I have bought and sold thousands of pre-owned Rolex watches for sale, and few modern references generate demand this consistent.

Key Takeaways

The Ghost is not an official Rolex name. It covers two white gold Daytona references: the discontinued 116519LN and the current 126519LN.

Both references share a 40mm 18k white gold case, a black Cerachrom tachymeter bezel, and the Oysterflex bracelet.

The 116519LN runs the Caliber 4130, while the 126519LN introduced the Caliber 4131 with its Chronergy escapement in 2023.

Across Bob’s Watches sold data from the past two years, Ghost examples have sold between $38,995 and $59,995, and average sold prices are up roughly 18 percent over the trailing twelve months.

The grey-on-grey dial reads almost monochrome on the wrist, which is exactly why collectors love it and why the nickname stuck.

People ask me about this watch constantly, at trade shows, in our showroom, and in my inbox. So I want to walk you through what the Ghost actually is, how the two references differ, what the market is doing, and my honest opinion on whether it deserves a spot in your collection.

What Is the Rolex Ghost?

The Rolex Ghost is the 18k white gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona configured with a steel-grey dial, contrasting bright black subdials, a black Cerachrom ceramic bezel, and an Oysterflex bracelet. This is one of the many Rolex nicknames that have been created by collectors and isn’t an official name for the watch. The nickname applies to two generations of the same configuration: reference 116519LN, produced from 2017 to 2023, and reference 126519LN, the current model introduced in 2023. Rolex has never used the name Ghost in its catalog; collectors coined it because the tone-on-tone grey dial seems to fade in and out depending on the light.

I like the Ghost and it is one of my favorite modern Daytona dials. Most white gold Daytonas are loud. This one does the opposite. In flat light the dial goes nearly invisible against the case, and in direct sun it flashes like brushed steel. From what i’ve seen, that shifting personality is rare in a catalog watch, and it is the reason the Ghost sells quickly whenever we get one in.

Rolex Ghost Specifications

I think it’s fair to say that the Rolex Ghost pairs it’s precious metal case with practical features well, and the spec sheet explains a lot of the watches appeal. The first thing I should point out is that the 40mm case is solid 18k white gold, rated to 100 meters of water resistance, with screw-down chronograph pushers. The dial is a steel-grey, silvered finish with bright black snailed subdials and white gold hour markers filled with Chromalight. The Oysterflex bracelet wraps flexible metal blades in high-performance elastomer and closes with a white gold Oysterlock clasp featuring the Glidelock extension.

Feature | Ref. 116519LN (2017-2023) | Ref. 126519LN (2023-Present)
Movement | Caliber 4130, 72-hour power reserve | Caliber 4131, Chronergy escapement, 72-hour power reserve
Bezel | Monobloc black Cerachrom, tachymetric scale | Black Cerachrom with a slim metal rim on the outer edge
Case | 40mm 18k white gold, 100m water resistance | 40mm 18k white gold, 100m water resistance
Bracelet | Oysterflex, Oysterlock clasp, Glidelock extension | Oysterflex, Oysterlock clasp, Glidelock extension

Ref. 116519LN vs. Ref. 126519LN: What Changed

The reference 126519LN replaced the 116519LN in 2023, and the changes are subtle on the outside and significant on the inside. Visually, the current model adds a thin metal rim around the outer edge of the ceramic bezel and refines the case lines slightly. The dial layout, the grey tone, and the Oysterflex remain the heart of the design. The real story is the movement.

The Rolex Caliber 4131 is an automatic chronograph movement introduced in 2023 that powers the current Ghost, pairing the efficiency-focused Chronergy escapement with a 72-hour power reserve. The outgoing Caliber 4130, introduced in 2000, remains one of the most reliable chronograph movements our watchmakers service, but the 4131 is the more modern architecture.

“When a 4131 comes across the bench next to a 4130, the family resemblance is obvious, but the Chronergy escapement and the updated construction make the new caliber noticeably more efficient. Both are workhorses.”
Joe Alessindrini, CFO of Bob’s Watches

My take on the two: if you want the best mechanical package and the current 5-year warranty runway, buy the 126519LN. If you want the cleaner all-ceramic bezel look and a slightly lower entry price, the 116519LN is the value play. I own opinions on most references, and on this one I genuinely think there is no wrong answer.

Why Collectors Call It the Ghost

Collectors call this Daytona the Ghost because the monochromatic steel-grey dial nearly disappears against the white gold case at certain angles. Nicknames matter in this hobby. The Hulk, the Batman, the Pepsi, and the Panda all outsell their formal reference numbers in everyday conversation, and the Ghost has joined that club faster than almost any nickname I can remember.

The heritage behind it runs deep. Rolex introduced the Cosmograph Daytona in 1963 as a chronograph built for professional motorsport, and the Oysterflex bracelet that defines the modern Ghost debuted in 2015 before joining the Daytona line on the 2017 white gold models. That 2017 launch, which brought us the 116519LN, is where the Ghost story begins.

“What strikes me most is the silver dials of early four-digit Daytonas from the 1960s. It reads like a modern translation of a vintage idea, and that is usually the recipe for a configuration collectors enjoy.”
Carol Altieri, COO at Bob’s Watches

Rolex Ghost Price: Current Retail vs. Pre-Owned

The Rolex Ghost trades on the pre-owned market between $38,995 and $59,995 based on Bob’s Watches sold data from August 2024 through August 2026, depending on the reference, production year, condition, and whether the full set of box and papers is present. Discontinued 116519LN examples have sold in our store between $38,995 and $47,995, averaging just under $43,000 across the two-year window. The current 126519LN commands more: our sold examples range from $45,995 to $59,995 and average just over $53,000, with 2026 sales averaging around $57,000. On the retail side, the 126519LN carries a current retail price of $44,800 at authorized dealers, though allocation at retail remains extremely difficult for most buyers.

The trend line matters as much as the range. Comparing the trailing twelve months against the twelve months before them, our average sold price for the 116519LN Ghost is up about 13 percent, and the 126519LN Ghost is up about 19 percent. Speed to sell tells the same story: the typical Ghost leaves our inventory within one to two weeks of going live, which is faster than most precious metal Daytonas we handle. Keep the two markets separate in your head: current retail is the authorized dealer catalog price, and pre-owned is what the watch actually trades for today. With white gold Daytonas, the pre-owned market is where nearly all real-world transactions happen.

“The Ghost is one of those watches where a phone call might happen before the photos are even live. Buyers know exactly what it is, they know what a fair full-set price looks like, and they do not want to wait for the next one.”
Carol Altieri, COO of Bob’s Watches

A word on value retention, because I get asked constantly: white gold Daytonas are generally considered strong performers on the secondary market, and certain references can hold value well when scarcity, condition, and complete box and papers line up. No watch guarantees a profit, this one included. Buy the Ghost because you love the dial. The market strength is the bonus, not the thesis.

Is the Rolex Ghost Rare or Discontinued?

The Rolex Ghost is partially discontinued: reference 116519LN ended production in 2023, while reference 126519LN remains in the current Rolex catalog. So the configuration itself is alive and well, but the first-generation Ghost is now a closed chapter, which is exactly the kind of status that tends to attract collectors over time.

Is it rare? Rolex does not publish production figures, so nobody outside Geneva can quote hard numbers. What I can tell you from experience is that white gold Daytonas surface far less often than steel ones, and the Ghost dial is one configuration among several offered in white gold. Scarce is the honest word. Waiting lists at authorized dealers and quick sell-through on the pre-owned side both back that up.

How the Rolex Ghost Wears: My Firsthand Impressions

The Rolex Ghost wears smaller and lighter than a precious metal chronograph has any right to, and that comes down to the Oysterflex. At 40mm across and roughly 12mm thick, the case dimensions match the steel Daytona, but the elastomer-wrapped bracelet trims meaningful weight off the wrist and hugs it closer than a full gold bracelet ever could. I like that the watch keeps the heft of white gold in the head while staying comfortable enough for a full day of wear.

The detail I appreciate most is the dial in transition light, walking from indoors to outdoors, when the grey shifts from slate to bright silver in about two steps. Photographs consistently undersell this watch. If you are on the fence, get it on your wrist before you decide, because the Ghost is a watch that recruits its own buyers in person.

Buying a Rolex Daytona Ghost: Where I Land

The Ghost earns its reputation, and that is not something I say about every hyped modern Rolex. It takes the most decorated chronograph in the catalog, dresses it in the most understated dial Rolex makes, and delivers a wearing experience that neither steel nor full-gold pre-owned Rolex Daytona models quite match. Between the two references, you are choosing between a discontinued original and a mechanically superior successor, and both sides of that trade are good.

At Bob’s Watches, every Ghost that reaches our site has been through our in-house authentication and inspection process before it is ever listed, and our team, Carol, Joe, Brandon, and the specialists you have heard from in this article, handles these watches daily. If you are hunting for one, make sure you give us a call. And if you own one, our team is ready to help you sell your Rolex watch for a fair price.

Frequently Asked Questions
The Daytona Ghost sells between $38,995 and $59,995 on the pre-owned market based on Bob’s Watches sold data from the past two years. Discontinued 116519LN examples average just under $43,000, while the current 126519LN averages just over $53,000, with 2026 examples selling around $57,000. The current retail price for the 126519LN is $44,800, available only through authorized dealers with allocation. The Daytona Ghost is special because its steel-grey dial nearly matches its 18k white gold case, creating a monochromatic look that shifts dramatically with the light. It is also one of the few Daytonas fitted with the Oysterflex bracelet, which makes a precious metal chronograph comfortable for daily wear. The combination of subtle looks and precious metal construction gives it a stealth-wealth character no steel Daytona can replicate. The Rolex Daytona Ghost is scarce rather than provably rare, because Rolex does not publish production numbers. White gold Daytonas are produced in far smaller quantities than steel models, and the Ghost dial is one of several configurations within that already limited output. Long waits at authorized dealers and fast sell-through on the pre-owned market reflect that scarcity. The Rolex Daytona Ghost is only partially discontinued. Reference 116519LN, powered by the Caliber 4130, ended production in 2023, but Rolex replaced it that same year with the current reference 126519LN and its updated Caliber 4131. The Ghost configuration remains in the active Rolex catalog today.