Securing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 126529LN, known as the “Le Mans” Daytona, was a feat few could achieve. The watch’s rarity was a result of both its exclusivity and its connection to the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, the legendary endurance race that Rolex honored in 2023 for its 100th anniversary. Among the select few fortunate enough to acquire one? None other than Michael Jordan himself. 
Released in mid-2023, the 126529LN commemorated the iconic French race first held in 1923. While replica Rolex is renowned for its methodical and gradual approach to watchmaking, the Le Mans Daytona stood out due to its nostalgic design features, which paid homage to the past while embracing modern craftsmanship. This particular iteration of the Daytona was packed with subtle references to vintage models, from its “panda” dial – featuring a black background and silver chronograph subdials – to the “exotic dial” typography often associated with the famous “Paul Newman” Daytonas. A bold red “Daytona” inscription and a “100” marker on the bezel celebrated the race’s centenary. Additionally, the 24-hour totalizer, replacing the standard 12-hour counter, paid tribute to the endurance race’s 24-hour duration.
What truly made the Le Mans Daytona remarkable, however, was its limited production. Released in June 2023, the watch was pulled from the Rolex catalog in April 2024, making its lifespan on the market a brief but memorable one. Rolex’s decision to discontinue the model after less than a year further cemented the watch’s status as a future classic.
The “Le Mans” Daytona’s debut also coincided with several other new Daytona models released during the brand’s 60th anniversary celebrations. This year, Rolex made significant updates to the Daytona collection, refining the movement, narrowing the subdial rings, and introducing smaller hour markers. They also added a metal ring around the ceramic bezel to match the case material, continuing the brand’s philosophy of steady, incremental improvement. But the Le Mans Daytona, with its distinctive design and limited availability, was built for watch collectors, like Jordan, who value both rarity and legacy. 
Michael Jordan’s affinity for rare, high-value watches is well-documented. While many of his watches come from independent, boutique brands, he also owns several prestigious fake Rolex models, including a white-gold Sky-Dweller and a pink-gold Daytona. However, nothing compares to the white-gold Le Mans Daytona, which has skyrocketed in value to approximately £190,000 on the secondary market. With its incredibly limited production and quick exit from the Rolex catalog, this model is as elusive as it is sought-after. Though precise production numbers remain unclear, it’s evident that only a select few will own one. 
Before the watch industry had time to fully appreciate the Le Mans Daytona, it was quietly replaced by a yellow-gold version, introduced without official fanfare at the 2024 Watches & Wonders trade show. The first public sighting of the new model was on the wrist of tennis legend Roger Federer, just a month ago. While it remains to be seen how long the yellow-gold Daytona will remain in production, one thing is certain: like its white-gold predecessor, its tenure in Rolex’s catalog will likely be brief. But don’t be surprised if Jordan manages to secure one before it too speeds off into the sunset.
