Fascination with SS Daytona

[Russ1974]

Hi all, I'll start off by saying "please don't be insulted with this question".

And now I will ask an insulting question ;)

It is quite obvious that the Stainless Steel Daytona is the most sought after Daytona, and commands a price higher than the recommended retail price. People seem to be hunting after them and getting on waiting lists/etc in order to get one.

Now, personally, I think the Bi Metal and solid gold ones are much nicer looking. Both of which appear to be relatively easy to get hold of compared to the (price & material wise) inferior SS version, and without any premium over retail price.

Therefore ... is the reason that the SS Daytona is so popular simply because it's cheaper? Or do people generally think it is "better" than the bi metal / solid gold? Or do people want one purely because of the fact that they are so hard to get hold of, thus creating a paradoxical catch 22 situation? (Sorry, I have no idea if "paradoxical" is even a word ... )

(Ok I have just added a 4th option ... is it because the gold on the bi metal scratches like a b1tch? I just took a close up look at my watch after a few days of general use round the office / driving / shopping and MY GOD where the **ck have all those scratches on the gold come from !!!)

[Gaijin]

The simple reason many want them is that they are difficult if almost near impossible to get new from an AD at MSRP.

You can get one right away from Grey Dealers at a substantial mark up or pre owned from sellers here.. Rolex intentionally produces low numbers of them for whatever reason. I think to create this mystique and desirabilty in the watch. People come into ADs trying to get them and get put on lengthy wait lists or told "no way" or even better yet for Rolex "We can get you one if you spend X number of dollars on other Rolex.

So Rolex wins in that regard or if the customer gets frustrated and just gets something else to hold them over or to satisfy themself.

and...they are gorgeous as well.

[Tools]

Yes......

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by Tools

Yes......

X-2

[BigHat]

I think you're right. SS Daytona appeal stems from difficulty in getting one. There is no logical reason why one wouldn't prefer a WG model over an SS model, especially with the MUCH more appealing dials to include the "space face."
Personally, I find TT watches appealing, but must admit many sincerely don't like the look.
All have the same stellar movement though and a TT is often available at a price close to an SS model, so more value (some gold) at the same price. Why would one opt for SS if not for the skewed appeal that comes with the rarity?
I had a chance to get an SS model at MSRP from an AD and I did. After six months I had it out of my system and flipped it.

[Felly Jr.]

Personally, I do not care for TT watches at all, and the white gold Daytona looks too much like SS for a LOT more money. OK, so there is one dial I like that you can't get except on the WG and that's the Meteorite. But, I REALLY don't think it's worth 30K. I, for my part, like the good ol' 904L Daytona, and I don't give a rats pa tutti about all the hype.

[Steven79]

i like the SS because of its MSRP. the TT are a little too pricey and at that price I would buy something else.

[wantonebad]

Originally Posted by Steven79

i like the SS because of its MSRP. the TT are a little too pricey and at that price I would buy something else.

A negotiated TT can and almost always is cheaper than a SS

[walds11]

I am infactuated with the SS Daytona. I have no love for TT watches. That's just me. Had three pre-owned SS Daytonas that I bought in the secondary/pre-owned market. Recently got the call for one at MSRP. It happily sits on my wrist :)

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by walds11

I am infactuated with the SS Daytona. I have no love for TT watches. That's just me. Had three pre-owned SS Daytonas that I bought in the secondary/pre-owned market. Recently got the call for one at MSRP. It happily sits on my wrist :)

Adam, do you still have those three pre-loved DT's?

[walds11]

Felly, nope, they are long gone. Sold the first one back in 2005 (K serial), sold the second one in 2006 (Y serial) and sold the third one about a month ago (Z serial) when I got the call for one at MSRP.

Many people told me to sell the BNIB M serial because I would make more money flipping it. I wanted a SS Daytona with my name on the papers, so off went the Z serial. I did ok selling the Z (bought it last year, before the last price increase)

Originally Posted by Felly Jr.

Adam, do you still have those three pre-loved DT's?

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

They are kind of like Cuban cigars...tough to get and highly desirable. (...)

And often disappointing, once you get to smoke them!

I've worked at W. Ø. Larsen, a famous tobacconists in Copenhagen, for some years. And believe me, I've tried ALL Cuban cigars you can think of (real ones, of course, since there's no embargo in DK). Many of them were too hard rolled and with leaf strips inside. Often, we had to send whole cases back to the importer.

Now, back to topic:

Imho, the SS Daytona situation can be explained like this (some of the points have been made already):

1) The SS Daytona is the "cheapest" alternative to get a Rolex chronograph.

2) Rolex (deliberately) cuts down the manufacture of the SS Daytona for the following two reasons:

a) Rolex (and AD's) earn more on TT and YG watches than on their SS counterparts.

b) By having at least ONE "hyped up" model in the Rolex range (currently: SS Daytona and MG GV), Rolex S.A. gets more customers running to the AD's, asking if they have the SS Daytona / MG GV or can come on the list for one.
When the customers get the usual "No, we don't have any SS Daytona / MG GV in stock, but we have THIS interesting Rolex model that might be something for you....", often the customer "settles with less" and ends buying another Rolex model.

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by SPACE-DWELLER

And often disappointing, once you get to smoke them!

I've worked at W. Ø. Larsen, a famous tobacconists in Copenhagen, for some years. And believe me, I've tried ALL Cuban cigars you can think of (real ones, of course, since there's no embargo in DK). Many of them were too hard rolled and with leaf strips inside. Often, we had to send whole cases back to the importer.

Now, back to topic:

Imho, the SS Daytona situation can be explained like this (some of the points have been made already):

1) The SS Daytona is the "cheapest" alternative to get a Rolex chronograph.

2) Rolex (deliberately) cuts down the manufacture of the SS Daytona for the following two reasons:

a) Rolex (and AD's) earn more on TT and YG watches than on their SS counterparts.

b) By having at least ONE "hyped up" model in the Rolex range (currently: SS Daytona and MG GV), Rolex S.A. gets more customers running to the AD's, asking if they have the SS Daytona / MG GV or can come on the list for one.
When the customers get the usual "No, we don't have any SS Daytona / MG GV in stock, but we have THIS interesting Rolex model that might be something for you....", often the customer "settles with less" and ends buying another Rolex model.

I'd like to add one Bo, if I may:

The AD's use the hype of the SS Daytona to demand that buyers come in and buy multiple other Rolex (or whatever) before they can A.) buy the SS Daytona for list, B.) Buy the SS Daytona at a premium, or C.) get put on a waiting list for the SS Daytona.

[jhelms]

Originally Posted by walds11

I am infactuated with the SS Daytona. I have no love for TT watches. That's just me. Had three pre-owned SS Daytonas that I bought in the secondary/pre-owned market. Recently got the call for one at MSRP. It happily sits on my wrist :)

Adam, that's awesome - congrats! Are you still @ Wach?

Also, to add to the post... I have a simpler explanation - my opinion is that they are just so freakin' perfect looking!

Similar to what someone else posted, I've wanted a Daytona before I even knew anything about Rolex, just from the look of them. The secondary market keep the used pricing up doesn't hurt, but it isn't what makes me want one so bad.

[walds11]

I am still with WB. Things have been a little slow this year. I plan on starting my own gig with in 2 years or so.

Originally Posted by jhelms

Adam, that's awesome - congrats! Are you still @ Wach?

Also, to add to the post... I have a simpler explanation - my opinion is that they are just so freakin' perfect looking!

Similar to what someone else posted, I've wanted a Daytona before I even knew anything about Rolex, just from the look of them. The secondary market keep the used pricing up doesn't hurt, but it isn't what makes me want one so bad.

[brainbizz]

I never thought anything about a daytona until my ad told me I needed one. Now that I have 1 blk and 1 white they have grown on me. I hate to say that I am somewhat in general disappointed with the Rolex line currently. They make a great watch but nothing super exciting.

[GoldenBear]

They are kind of like Cuban cigars...tough to get and highly desirable. The rarity makes them so much more popular. Most people can't get them and that is why (almost) everyone wants one.

[vh_bu98]

I don't really like the TT Daytonas...gold isn't my thing. If I had the money, I would get the white gold Daytona. Since that is out of my range for now, I'll settle on trying to get a SS Daytona instead.

[RolexSoFla]

The Daytona is beautiful and well balanced to start with. The simplicity of the stainless steel completes the look. Don't care for TT or YG although I had a TT DJ and a YG Daytona in the past. A WG Daytona with a meteorite dial would be nice but can't justify the cost ($30K USD).

[infoe]

Originally Posted by GoldenBear

They are kind of like Cuban cigars...tough to get and highly desirable. The rarity makes them so much more popular. Most people can't get them and that is why (almost) everyone wants one.

Any time you want a good cuban cigar my friend....

if your having a cuban their coming through from miami

As to answer the original thread, first time I seriously opened www.rolex.com website to see which one stood out to me when I decided I wanted to be like my pops and have a rolex, the daytona was the very first one that wowed me...I had -=NO=- idea everything that we all know about the availability etc etc of the watch.

TT I have never liked. I'm 27 going on 28 now, don't know if my taste will change...so far the only TT that I see that I find very nice (but not for me) is the TT sub with blue dial. very nice watch.

[AOTM]

SS Daytona is perhaps the most overrated timepiece in the Rolex portfolio

[Felly Jr.]

Originally Posted by AOTM

SS Daytona is perhaps the most overrated timepiece in the Rolex portfolio

And IMO, the most over-awesome as well!

[mickeydainish]

Originally Posted by Felly Jr.

And IMO, the most over-awesome as well!

[SPACE-DWELLER]

Originally Posted by AOTM

SS Daytona is perhaps the most overrated timepiece in the Rolex portfolio

OK.........How come?

[Welshwatchman]

Originally Posted by AOTM

SS Daytona is perhaps the most overrated timepiece in the Rolex portfolio

Such a biting and incisive critique on the model.

[BlackpoolRolexCoaste]

Originally Posted by AOTM

SS Daytona is perhaps the most overrated timepiece in the Rolex portfolio

x2!

[MK25toLife]

I am not gonna lie, I wanted that to be my first Rolex but I didn't want to pay $3-4K+ over retail and I didn't want to wait on a list, so I bought a SS GMT-IIC and I must say I don't even think about the Daytona anymore, but that's not to say I don't still want it =)

[ROLEX MAN]

once you have had one you don't want to go without and thats that!

[GMTII Owner]

I'm glad I'm not caught up in the Daytona fever. Not a big fan of the style of watch for whatever reason.

John

[BigHat]

Originally Posted by ROLEX MAN

once you have had one you don't want to go without and thats that!

Ahem.
I fault no one for lusting after an SS Daytona, to each his own; but I'm one just of many examples of people that bought them, stared at them awhile and flipped them. It's a hard to read with the white face, the bezel is not attractive (and who uses the tach feature anyway?), screw down pushers are a pain, the lume sucks the worst of all the sport Rolexes(that all suck) and there's no date. I need to pay $9K+ at an AD or 12K+ grey market for that?

Strangely, this "grail watch" also went totally unnoticed. Many of my other watches receive compliments from people that have no idea about them but like the way they look. Not a word from a lay person on the SS Daytona, so when it failed to win a place on my wrist, day-after-day, it was time to go.