The 126500LN is the current-generation Panda Daytona, the update to the 116500 that everyone wanted. The biggest visible change is the steel ring that now frames the ceramic bezel. The dial got a slight refinement too, and the movement moved to the 4131. VSF replicated all three.
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Factory | VS Factory |
| Reference | 126500LN (Daytona, white dial Panda) |
| Movement | Calibre 4131 automatic chronograph, fully functional, 1:1 architecture |
| Case dimensions | 40mm diameter |
| Material | 904L Oystersteel |
| Bezel | Black Cerachrom ceramic with stainless steel edge ring |
| Dial | White with glossy black subdials, Chromalight markers |
| Bracelet | Oyster, Oysterlock clasp with 5mm Easylink |
The 126500 updates. The steel ring around the bezel is the change you notice first. The 116500 had an exposed ceramic edge, and the new generation wraps it in polished steel. It protects the ceramic from knocks and gives the watch a slightly more layered, vintage profile. The dial also got a touch cleaner, with the subdial rings narrowed compared to the previous gen. These are small changes on paper that add up to a noticeably more refined watch in person.
The bezel. Black Cerachrom ceramic with the tachymeter scale filled in platinum PVD. The platinum fill keeps the numerals bright and stops them from yellowing the way paint does. The ceramic itself is scratch-proof and holds its polish. The steel ring around it is the new-gen signature.
The dial. The Panda. White dial with glossy black subdials. It is the configuration that made the Daytona famous, and the contrast is the whole point. The white is stark, the subdials are deep black, and the markers are filled with Chromalight for a blue glow. The narrower subdial rings are the tell that it is a 126500 and not a 116500.
The movement. Calibre 4131. This is a fully functioning chronograph, not a decorated three-hander with dead pushers. Column wheel and vertical clutch, which means the chronograph starts and stops smoothly without the jump you get on cheaper clones. The 4131 keeps the same thinness as the genuine, so the case profile is correct. The pushers work properly.
The steel. All 904L, case and Oyster bracelet. Same weight and corrosion resistance as genuine. Polished center links on the bracelet.
The bracelet. Oyster with the Oysterlock clasp and the 5mm Easylink extension. Three-piece links, brushed with polished centers.
The takeaway. The 126500 is the Daytona to get if you want the current-generation Panda. The steel bezel ring and the narrowed subdials are the two changes that separate it from the 116500, and the 4131 is a real chronograph movement, not a cosmetic one. It is the most wanted sports watch in the world for a reason, and VSF's version captures the new-gen details correctly. If you care about having the latest iteration rather than the previous one, this is the pick.