In the world of luxury watches, there are icons, and then there is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500LN. Specifically, the white dial version known affectionately as the “Panda”.
It is, without exaggeration, the most coveted stainless steel sports watch on the planet. If you walk into an Authorized Dealer today and ask for one, they won’t put you on a waitlist-they will politely laugh you out of the store.
With grey market prices hovering around $30,000 (double the retail price), the “Panda Craze” has driven collectors to look for alternatives. The good news? The replica industry has obsessed over this specific model more than any other.
Here is why everyone wants the Panda, and exactly where you can get a version that is virtually indistinguishable from the genuine article.
🚀 Why The Hype?
The “Panda” nickname comes from the high-contrast black sub-dials on the stark white face. It is legible, sporty, and incredibly photogenic.
But the real hype is the Ceramic Bezel. Introduced in 2016, the black Cerachrom bezel pays homage to the vintage acrylic bezels of the 1960s (Paul Newman era) while being virtually scratch-proof. It is the perfect blend of modern tech and retro soul.
The Problem with Old Replicas (The “Fat” Daytona)
For years, replicating the Daytona was the “Final Boss” for Chinese factories. The problem was the movement.
The genuine Rolex 4130 movement is incredibly thin. Replicas used to rely on the standard Asian 7750 chronograph movement, which is thick and bulky. As a result, older fake Daytonas were 15mm thick (compared to the genuine 12.2mm). They sat on the wrist like a hockey puck. Everyone knew they were fake instantly.
The Game Changer: The DanDong 4130 Clone
A few years ago, everything changed. A factory released a custom-built Clone 4130 Movement (often called the DD4130). This was not a modified existing movement; it was reverse-engineered from scratch.
The result?
- Thickness: Identical to Gen (12.2mm – 12.4mm).
- Function: A fully working chronograph (the stopwatch functions exactly like Rolex).
- Reliability: It is widely considered the most stable and reliable movement in the entire replica industry.
The Battle of the Titans: Clean Factory vs. BT Factory
If you want the best Panda Daytona in 2026, you generally have two choices. Both use the legendary DD4130 movement, but they excel in different areas.
1. Clean Factory (The Current King)
Clean Factory made their name by producing the best ceramic bezels in the market, and their Daytona is their flagship product.
- Pros: The dial print is crisp, the sub-dial rings are the correct “shiny” texture, and the “Daytona” red text is perfectly color-matched. Their ceramic bezel is arguably better than the genuine Rolex service parts.
- Cons: The crystal clarity is good, but sometimes lacks the “invisible” quality of the genuine.
2. BT Factory (The Challenger)
Better Factory (BTF) entered the game later but came out swinging.
- Pros: Their crystal is incredibly clear (Deep Crystal). The case shape and polishing are razor-sharp.
- Cons: Their dial print is slightly bolder than Clean, which some purists dislike.
🏆 Our Verdict: Which one to buy?
Go with Clean Factory (V3).
Right now, the “Clean V3” Panda is the closest thing to a “Super Clone” you can buy. The “”Deep”” crystal upgrade is optional, but out of the box, Clean has nailed the aesthetic details that matter most on the wrist.
Conclusion
You can spend 5 years on a waitlist, hoping a dealer deigns to sell you a watch. You can spend $30,000 on the grey market. Or, you can spend roughly $700-$800 for a Clean Factory Daytona that uses the same 904L steel, sapphire crystal, and ceramic materials.
Unless you are trying to fool a watchmaker who has opened the caseback, the Clean Panda is indistinguishable. It is the ultimate daily driver.
Ready to own the icon? Shop our Clean Factory Daytona collection today.
