Hands-On: The New Yellow Gold Daytona With A Green Dial

April 19, 2017

More than a platinum creation with an ice-blue dial, the combination of yellow gold and green is the ultimate expression of luxury. Luscious and alluring yellow gold dates back to ancient civilizations, and green is the brands signature color, often used in a celebratory way, that puts connoisseurs on high alert. Mix the material with the color and use it on the brands famous chronograph, and things start heating up. You can imagine my excitement when I got to go hands-on with the new yellow gold Daytona with a green dial. The watchs rock-star-like charisma is exciting indeed, and it probably makes you think of the nickname its predecessor got. But please dont call this Daytona the John Mayer II. That doesnt do it justice. It also might get in the way of enjoying this lavish creation. and nicknames… Some have made their way into the watch dictionary, but I feel others should not be there. Pepsi is okay, and so is Coke, but Batgirl and John Mayer? The first is too farfetched if you ask me, and the second is linked to a guy with an AP with his name on it - come on! A mea culpa is appropriate here since I also sometimes try to see if a sobriquet of my invention will stick, but I promise never to do that again. Anyway, lets no longer refer to the Daytona 116508-0013 as the John Mayer. Consequently, that watch s successor, the reference 126508-0008, will not be called the John Mayer II. Instead, lets focus on the new yellow gold Daytona with a green dial and updated features while letting the watch speak for itself.The new yellow gold Daytona with a green dial: it does strike a chordAlthough the 2025 green-dial Daytona in yellow gold strikes a chord, we will refrain from giving it a pet name. Lets also approach the watch as a watch. That might seem like the obvious thing to do, but the Daytona is something special. If youre curious to know exactly what I mean, my article The Daytona Is No Longer A Watch will enlighten you.The 2025 Daytona lineup is strong and very diverse. The green-dial reference 126508-0008 in yellow gold is a luxurious iteration priced at $48,800. It is a refined evolution of the 116508-0013, meaning the watch has become slimmer and has a revamped dial. The latter features slimmer applied indexes, hand, and tracks. The most significant differences between this new Daytona and its predecessor are the main dial s different green shade and contrasting, gold-colored sub-dials instead of green ones.The sub-dials make a big differenceWhen comparing the old and new green Daytona side by side, two things strike me most. First, the old Green color and its sunburst finish seem so much harsher and in your face than the hue and finish of the new one. Also, using red inside the green counters to bring some contrast to the tone-on-tone design was not very subtle. The new reference 126508-0008 sports a dial showing a toned-down shade of green. Its lighter and less radiant, and instead of using matching sub-dials again, opted to make them the color of the case, bezel, and bracelet. And you know what? These gold ones really tie the room - sorry, the watch - together.Does this green Daytona look familiar?Im treading on dangerous ground here when I say that after catching a first glimpse of the new green and gold Daytona, I thought of a custom job. Do you remember the Artisans de Geneve Honey Green Daytona mod with its deep green Bakelite bezel, gold-colored sub-dials, and fully brushed yellow gold case and bracelet? Well, now you do. Let it sink in, and then take another look at the reference 126508-0008. What do you think? matches a gold bracelet to a bezel in the same material and doesnt do a brushed-all-over finish, but the dials do have something in common.Wrapping up and warming upMy favorite Daytona newcomer is the reference 126518LN, the yellow gold Daytona with a turquoise dial on an Oysterflex bracelet. Yes, it s that borderline-distasteful, polarizing creature. In case youre wondering why Im not writing about that watch but, instead, this green creature, Jorg is even crazier about the turquoise-dial Daytona than I am, and hes putting together an article on it. The yellow gold Daytona with a green dial - using a nickname for the watch would make for smoother writing, I must admit - has the same undeniable presence and charisma, and it s fighting for second place on my list with the latest white gold Daytona with a meteorite dial. I m slowly warming up to it.What are your thoughts about the 2025 Daytona lineup and the green-dial version in this article? Does the new reference 126508-0008 outshine its nicknamed predecessor? Please let me know in the comments. Watch specifications Brand Model Cosmograph DaytonaReference 126508-0008Dial Green with a sunray finish, three yellow-gold-colored sub-dials, applied gold indexes with Chromalight lumeCase Material 18K yellow gold with polished finishCase Dimensions 40mm (diameter) 46mm (lug-to-lug) 11.9mm (thickness)Crystal Scratch-resistant sapphire with antireflective coatingCase Back 18K yellow gold, screw-in Movement 4131: automatic chronograph with manual winding and hacking, 28,800vph frequency, 72-hour power reserve, 44 jewels, Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, paramagnetic blue Parachrom hairspring, Superlative Chronometer, accurate to 2 seconds per day (tested after casing)Water Resistance 100 metersStrap 18K yellow gold Oyster bracelet (20/16mm) with brushed and polished finishes, folding Oysterlock safety clasp, and 5mm Easylink comfort extensionFunctions Time (hours, minutes, small seconds), chronograph (12-hour and 30-minute registers, central seconds)Price $48,800