Flip GMTIIC for White Dial SS Daytona?

[sierra11b]

Been thinking about flipping my barely a month old 116710 for a White Daytona but all the recent threads about legibility vs. the newer Maxi dial sports watches have me a little apprehensive. The dial of the 116710 is one of the easier dials to read at first glance and it can be seen easily in low light.

I’ve also been nickel and diming myself on possible scenarios, future service costs and parts availability in the future. This is all mainly centered around the unlikely (but still very expensive) case that the ceramic insert is ever broken.

If it ever were to break or if RSC ever deemed it necessary to replace, I’d spend well more than the average cost than to service the Daytona alone.

Then I start to consider if it’s more worthwhile to pursue the Tudor cousins (792XX and 791XX) and keep the GMTIIC for the long haul? Date would be nice but considering my date-rich collection it’s not a deal breaker for me in purchasing a new watch. There's also Zenith... I'd like to stay away from Omega this time... owned the 3570.50 and wanted more WR and hacking:

Consider my current collection:

Seiko Sumo (blue - and was gift)
Seiko SXK007 (stays - gift)
Seiko MM300 (stays)
16750 Pepsi (Birthyear so MUST stay)
16710 (was a service gift so must stay)
116710
My wife has my Rhodium/Roman DJ






What are your thoughts?

[Lion]

I would keep the GMTIIc and save up for the Daytona!!!

[dddrees]

Originally Posted by Lion

I would keep the GMTIIc and save up for the Daytona!!!

X2

The grass is always greener. But in fact the GMTIIC in my opinion is one of the nicest watches out there, and so is the Daytona. They're just different and if you can swing both then that's what I would try to do.

[sierra11b]

Thought about it but it's too rich for my blood. It's either get rid of the 116710 for the Daytona or hold what I got and forget the Daytona.

[improviz]

I have both of these, and while the GMT IIc is definitely more legible, as you would expect from a diver vs chrono, I really haven't had any issues with the Daytona. In very low-light conditions (movie or something similar) the GMT would be much easier to read, but it's not as if the Daytona is illegible or anything.

As to the bezel replacement costs, there should be none: anything this valuable should be insured (JMI works great), and would cover completely the replacement cost of a bezel if it were damaged. Only if you don't insure it (should be $100-ish a year for a GMT) would I worry about this, and then, frankly, you've got bigger worries with theft or loss.

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by improviz

As to the bezel replacement costs, there should be none: anything this valuable should be insured (JMI works great), and would cover completely the replacement cost of a bezel if it were damaged. Only if you don't insure it (should be $100-ish a year for a GMT) would I worry about this, and then, frankly, you've got bigger worries with theft or loss.

True. We have our jewelery on our Home policy but I should probably look into JMI.

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by improviz

I have both of these, and while the GMT IIc is definitely more legible, as you would expect from a diver vs chrono, I really haven't had any issues with the Daytona. In very low-light conditions (movie or something similar) the GMT would be much easier to read, but it's not as if the Daytona is illegible or anything.

Which would you give-up if you had to choose?

Just trying to put it into perspective here as I've heard this before but cannot take the SS White Dial Daytona for a test drive to be sure....

If the legibility of the GMTIIC is a perfect 10 out of 10 what would you rate the White Daytona out of 10?

[sierra11b]

Originally Posted by improviz

As to the bezel replacement costs, there should be none: anything this valuable should be insured (JMI works great), and would cover completely the replacement cost of a bezel if it were damaged. Only if you don't insure it (should be $100-ish a year for a GMT) would I worry about this, and then, frankly, you've got bigger worries with theft or loss.

I was looking at a sample policy on JMI website and was wondering if damage to the bezel would be considered wear and tear?

[improviz]

Originally Posted by sierra11b

I was looking at a sample policy on JMI website and was wondering if damage to the bezel would be considered wear and tear?

No, they specifically state that they cover damage; from their FAQ:

What is covered under this policy?

Our Personal Jewelry Insurance is a repair or replacement policy that provides coverage for:

loss,

theft,

mysterious disappearance, and

damage.

[Rolex Freak]

Daytona all the way.

[RolexSA]

You seem to have 2 other GMT's , so if you like the Daytona why not ?

[humvee]

Heck no man ---- GMT IIc was created for Pilots --- Its history is like that of asubmariner.
PAN AM asked Rolex to make a watch for 2 timezones ----

Only watch that can compete with the legacy/history of the GMT2C, is the sub ---
Daytona to me is another word for a hot air balloon ---

[improviz]

Originally Posted by humvee

Heck no man ---- GMT IIc was created for Pilots --- Its history is like that of asubmariner.
PAN AM asked Rolex to make a watch for 2 timezones ----

Only watch that can compete with the legacy/history of the GMT2C, is the sub ---
Daytona to me is another word for a hot air balloon ---

You know, mature, well-thought out posts like this are what keep me coming back to TRF.

[matt4hand]

Originally Posted by humvee

Heck no man ---- GMT IIc was created for Pilots --- Its history is like that of asubmariner.
PAN AM asked Rolex to make a watch for 2 timezones ----

Only watch that can compete with the legacy/history of the GMT2C, is the sub ---
Daytona to me is another word for a hot air balloon ---

FYI the GMT is for 3 time zones not 2.

PS I love my Hot Air Balloon.

[sierra11b]

A former LRS and Division boy with a long pedigree of service members in my family, I do have serious roots in aviation, which is partially why I love my GMTs. But i'll be damned if that white Daytona is calling me!

[improviz]

Here are some (blurry, forgot to put the #*#& camera in macro mode until the lume shot) photos I just took of the two side by side in the case, from ultra-low light to low light, and finally a lume shot after a brief charge with a mini-mag LED penlight; lume-wise, fully charged both are brighter, but they both fade fairly quickly (the Daytona more so), and neither of them are a threat to my Panerai or either of the Omegas in terms of brightness nor longevity, but obviously the GMT has the better lume of this pair.

[sierra11b]

Thank you for taking the time to post those photos!

[improviz]

Here's one more comparison, with the hot air balloon in the middle vs the GMT and 11613 for grins:


And here they are individually:



I think the "legibility" issue is more with the black-dialed SS Daytona, but from looking at pics I'd say it's a bit overblown; anyway you're worried about the white-dialed version, which at least imo while not *as* immediately legible as a diver, certainly is more than legible enough that this wouldn't be a factor, at least for me.

As to which one I'd keep if I could keep only one: tough call. Many different factors here, both very versatile (GMT II probably a *bit* more so, although this depends upon your style of dress: if you dress up more, the Daytona, if you dress down more, the GMT, but again both are at home in either); the GMT wears noticeably larger (more so than is evident in those pics), so depending upon your wrist size and personal taste towards larger/smaller timepieces this is a factor; the hot air balloon is more scarce, so it isn't as common to sight one in the wild if that sort of thing matters to you, although the flip side is that not as many will recognize it if this matters to you (although it is one of the more well-known Rolexes)...both are stunning watches, with the GMT having a bit more of a modernized-classic look while the SS is still a classic and a stunner...

So, you can see the conundrum. :) I'd say just spend some time trying them on, look at pics, think it over carefully, and buy/keep the one you love the most.

[The GMT Master]

The GMT IIc is the best watch that Rolex produces today, and, arguably, the best all-round luxury watch that money can buy. The Daytona, IMO, is not. Keep the GMT and get a Moonwatch

EDIT: Should have read the first post properly. My bad! I'd still keep the GMT IIc

[Art 1]

Originally Posted by The GMT Master

The GMT IIc is the best watch that Rolex produces today, and, arguably, the best all-round luxury watch that money can buy. The Daytona, IMO, is not. Keep the GMT and get a Moonwatch

EDIT: Should have read the first post properly. My bad! I'd still keep the GMT IIc

I agree about the GMT but the 4130 is the best chrono movement made.

[GTS Dean]

He's already had a moonwatch.

I would ask the following questions:

1) Do I need, or could I make use of a chronometer function? If yes, you might want the Daytona.
2) Do I feel that the #1 job of a wristwatch is to answer the question (at a glance, and regardless of lighting situations) what time is it? If yes, then the Daytona is not the optimal choice - or even a good choice.
3) Do I find myself hopelessly caught up in the "I don't own a Daytona" furor? If yes, then re-read points 1 and 2, and make your own decision.

I've had the Daytona for nearly 14 years. I've owned the Speedy for about 1 year. I wear the Speedy at least 4 days a week, the Daytona about 1-2 days a month. If not for the fact that the Daytona was an anniversary gift from my wife, I would be seriously considering getting rid of it - and I never get rid of ANYTHING.

____________________________
TT OysterQuartz
SS/Black "U" Daytona
TT GMT II-C
DD OysterQuartz
Breitling Aero
Omega Speedmaster Pro

[capote]

I much prefer the Daytona to the GMT-c. However I prefer the 16700 and 16710 to the Daytona.

[guyrolex]

I have both- there is a huge difference in lume - the Daytona gives off very little at night, and the GMT wears a lot bigger

[Art 1]

I have thought of doing the opposite.

[SoftwareDrone]

Originally Posted by Art 1

I have thought of doing the opposite.

I did do the opposite.
I sold my white SS Daytona and bought a GMTIIc. I like the GMTIIc better.

[AJMarcus]

Two totally different watches with two totally different fans clubs as the posts Show. If I had two Rolex GMTs already I'd get the Daytona. Daytona has a lot of history as well. Just different. And as it was remarked above the 4130 is considered the best chrono movement ever made and one of the top five movements ever made bar none. I have a SS sub c and. Daytona 116520 white dial, and they compliment each other perfectly. It's your money and your choice.....Daytona bashing makes no sense to me.

[sprtrlx]

the gmt is a great watch.i think you may be sorry unloading this watch for the ss daytona down the road.i have a ss daytona white face that i like that i paid msrp for from the ad,when msrp was $7875.at $11250 unless you are getting a killer deal somewhere i would take your time with this decision.

[sierra11b]

Well thank you everyone for all your insight... it certainly has not made my decision any easier.

[TSW]

Save up for the Daytona!

[thewatchguy93]

Don't flip the GMTIIc...