Battle of the Day-Dates ..which one wins???

[Otto]

For some reason, I'm starting to like some of the Day-Date IIs, a watch model I severely criticized not too long ago.

Today, I went to a Rolex boutique to do a side-by-side comparison of my Day-Date (champagne dial with white luminova bars) and a Day-Date II (champagne dial with gold Roman markers). It's hard to say which I like best. I like the overall proportions of my Day-Date, but the the Day-Date II looks and feels great, too. Somehow, with the Roman markers it seems like a different watch to me. (Note: Since I like Roman markers and have been thinking of changing the dial on my Day-Date to a Roman markers dial, maybe that influenced my opinion of the Day-Date II.)

There was a lot of glare in the shop so I reduced the saturation level a bit below in my quick point and shoot photos.

Maybe the DD II's too big for me; it's difficult for me to tell in a store; but regardless, one of these Day-Date IIs could be somewhere in my future.

I did note today, however, that the Day-Date is pretty substantial in bulk and size, too.







Earlier wrist shots of my current Day-Date.




The Day-Date II today one more time... The listed price is a bit high, to say the least.

[InVision]

36mm for me....

Mike

[Ebruner]

36mm without hesitation.


-Eddie

[G.J]

Originally Posted by Ebruner

36mm without hesitation.


-Eddie

Couldn't agree more..

The DD II is somewhat out of proportion IMHO..

[SLS]

I personally love the Romans as well, have you considered a white dial? Tough call on the size though...I think I would stick with the 36mm DD.
Scott

[Lol-x]

Although I have a champagne dial DD myself I am not a fan of that colour dial, just because it can be difficult to see the hands easily and readily as they don't contrast with the dial.

I also prefer sticks to romans.

I think the DDII looks fine for size (very good in fact) on your wrist, but it is a weighty watch (my regular 36mm DD is heavy in itself compared to my 40mm SS watches) and it is your decision.

[train-time]

Otto, the 36mm for me I have seen them side by side in the case and the fluted bezel on the DDII is disproportionately too wide to the rest of the watch IMO.

[Speed]

Otto...I have to be honest. I like your original Day Date on you.

It's perfect.

[jameshe]

Be different. If you are thinking about it and like the look on yourself somewhat, then go for it. Both look great, but I think that in a few years we will all be used to the larger case sizes and 36mm will feel more like a midsize. Not saying it is 'right' or will infact happen, but do it and don't worry about being judged by the wis community for buying th new version some see as being 'a big distasteful bling fad' - it won't make you any more like 50 cent!

Just MHO, and it would be cool to see you with one.

[East Bay Rider]

Originally Posted by jameshe

... Both look great, but I think that in a few years we will all be used to the larger case sizes and 36mm will feel more like a midsize...

I agree.
I'm not a fan of these oversized watches that seem to be in style now but I think the DD II looks pretty normal and proportionate on the wrist.

[icnbne]

36mm too, ofcourse without even the slightest hesitation

[level]

I'd stay with the classic 36 mm but you're right it is a tough choice.

[BMAN8]

36mm Day-Date is a classic men's size but you can also pull off the Day-Date II.

[jets]

Otto, today is your lucky day. Here is wifey's response to your post:

The DD II is a gorgeous watch, but it's also a more "fashionable" look that could go out of style eventually. It's something I think you would wear only as an everyday watch (not with a suit or tux). Keep in mind that the style today is larger watches. I, myself am getting a larger watch dial for that very reason. However, the DD is timeless and is a watch that you can wear both for everyday and will look very elegant with a nice suit or tux. In my opinion, I would update your DD dial to roman numerals and keep the DD. Again, it depends on what you want the watch to be. Casual OR Casual and Tux worthy. Hope that helps!

[boa2]

The 41mm could grow on me, but the 36mm never had to. It was perfect from the start, and still is in my eyes.

Thanks for the pics, Otto!

[DS_Obsessed]

I might get flamed for this, and I agree the bezel on the dd2 does look a little disporpotionate. But I like the dd2.

[rpryan55]

Disclaimer: I own a 36mm DD, and it is absolutely one of my favorite watches.

That said, younger people than I seem to purchase YG GMTs or Daytonas when they purchase a gold Rolex. Those are, as you know, 41mm. So perhaps the trend is going toward a larger watch in all gold. The choice is yours, I suppose, but both watches look handsome on the wrist.

[dannyny]

bigger is always better may not be always the case, with that said the new one is way better...the 36mm looks like a mickey mouse watch...

[R1@160@alltimes]

DDII

[bobernet]

36mm, no question. I really think the larger watches look too casual. Fine for a sport watch, less so on a DJ or DD. Now, if you have 9" wrists, it's a whole different ball game, but for average sized folks, 36mm is it.

[Sweramic]

Tough decision Otto. I think that both the DD and the DDII fits you quite well and I think you would get used to the bigger size if you bought a DDII. You could always own both

[dalip]

DDII for me also....looks great on you

[SUPERDOC]

otto...your DD is what gave me the Bug!!

I had a similar experience...doing the side by side...

But I have to say that the DD II just looks bloated...

the classic is just so lean and elegant and beautiful...

I think if they wanted to make it bigger, they should have kept the proportions and just given it a 10% increase across every measurement..

Instead, the case is chunky, the dial small, the bezel fat, the bracelet skinny by comparison...

When I need a heavy chunk of metal on my wrist I go breitling

[WatchnRoll]

For me I would get the DDII

36mm is small by today's standard

[pz93c]

Original.

The II is a little...... "off".

[Denver Dick]

Your posting and photos seem to confirm what I think about this DJ vs. DJII and DD vs. DDII situation. Rolex screwed up; they should have made the IIs in 39mm. It would be a perfect dress watch.

Given what you have shown, I say stay with the 36mm and hope that Rolex will see the error of its ways (not likely) and someday offer a 39mm DJ and DD.

[GerardoG]

Originally Posted by Denver Dick

Your posting and photos seem to confirm what I think about this DJ vs. DJII and DD vs. DDII situation. Rolex screwed up; they should have made the IIs in 39mm. It would be a perfect dress watch.

Given what you have shown, I say stay with the 36mm and hope that Rolex will see the error of its ways (not likely) and someday offer a 39mm DJ and DD.

...it is like in the movies; 2nd parts are NEVER better.

[Triple Black 88]

The classic... 36mm

[Renoir]

The size is fine, by todays standards 41MM is not that big. To me the proportions are off, the case is too big for the dial and the bezel makes up- fills the proportion difference- it just doesn't look right.

I'll stick with my tiny 36MM DD....that's just me.

[SCD]

I don't like the Roman dial on the Day-Date because the "I" at 11 o'clock makes no sense. It's just a symmetrical decoration that has no other reason for being there. The number 11 is spelled "XI".

Chalk me up as one more vote for 36mm. It's more tastefully proportioned and more classy.