Daytona Devil's Advocate

[Buckeye4life]

The daytona is widely considered one of the most iconic Rolexes around. Full disclosure: I've seen lots of pictures, but I have not tried one on or seen one in person.

Personally, it doesn't seem very easy to read, and how often do owners really utilize the complications? I struggle with all the hype. The ceramic, contrasting bezel helps, but doesn't make the dial less busy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and daytonas are well-respected by millions of people. But I don't quite get it. Does anyone else feel this way? If you love the daytona, tell me what I could be missing.

My rolex is the milgauss which only tells time but is really easy to read. I also like DJs, DDs, and GMTIIs. My plan is to get feedback here before trying on a daytona and then see if trying it on wins me over.

[MVP]

I have a Daytona and I happen to agree with you. I think a lot of people here will kill me when they read this, but my Daytona is actually my least favorite watch in my collection. they wear very small and are indeed a bit hard to read (I have a black dial Daytona C).

With that said, also not a milgauss fan, but I know what you're getting at, they are easy to read.

The BLNR is my favorite Rolex at the moment. Love its legibility, and it is also a very interesting watch to look at.

With all this said, go try on a Daytona for yourself. I'm in the minority I think.

[droptopman]

I am in the minority here. Not a Daytona fan. Wear too small and legibility is not great. Love them in pictures, dig the history and style, but just do not care for them on me. Tried several times over the years to love one, but they never stick around long.

[normandy]

The SS version might feel light and small (esp with the black dial and black ceramic bezel)

I ike the PM daytonas, they might look small for some people but the heft does compensate for it.

I think the Daytona is the perfect Rolex.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by droptopman

I am in the minority here. Not a Daytona fan. Wear too small and legibility is not great. Love them in pictures, dig the history and style, but just do not care for them on me. Tried several times over the years to love one, but they never stick around long.

Likewise not a modern Daytona fan much prefer the vintage ones like the 6263 not a fan of steel bezels even less of a fan of ceramic. Personally cannot understand the hype with the modern Daytona perhaps its because they were hard to get at retail, plus the internet hype portraying them as the greatest thing since sliced bread..

[epc2]

I've had two Daytonas in the past (both TT) and I agree with most pf you guys:

-They wear small
-Hard to read
-Will never use the Chrono Function
-Expensive to service

But they do look very cool and are very comfortable, it all comes to what you like but I'm sure that if it was a readily available model the story would be very different.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by padi56

Likewise not a modern Daytona fan much prefer the vintage ones like the 6263 not a fan of steel bezels even less of a fan of ceramic. Personally cannot understand the hype with the modern Daytona perhaps its because they were hard to get at retail, plus the internet hype portraying them as the greatest thing since sliced bread..

Why are the vintage ones better, I think they are even worse than the new ones.

The 6263 and 6265 were hand wound and Rolex had to modify the movements to make them half decent. Back in their day, these watches were difficult to sell as nobody wanted them.

It was only when the 16520 came along that they became desirable.

It seems to be a case that the more grotty a Daytona is, the more sought after it becomes.

Regards

Mick

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Why are the vintage ones better, I think they are even worse than the new ones.

The 6263 and 6265 were hand wound and Rolex had to modify the movements to make them half decent. Back in their day, these watches were difficult to sell as nobody wanted them.

It was only when the 16520 came along that they became desirable.

It seems to be a case that the more grotty a Daytona is, the more sought after it becomes.

Regards

Mick

Yes they were hand-wound with the Valjoux 72 and today many of the most valuable Rolex dont even have a Rolex made movement inside.And the only thing Rolex did to the Valjoux movement was to put the Rolex branding on the supplied ebauche movement much like the Zenith. But myself much prefered the overall dial style especially in the 6263 with the black aluminum bezel insert.And yes they were very poor sellers but today much more valuable than any modern day Daytona will ever be.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes they were hand-wound with the Valjoux 72 and today many of the most valuable Rolex dont even have a Rolex made movement inside.And the only thing Rolex did to the Valjoux movement was to put the Rolex branding on the supplied ebauche movement much like the Zenith. But myself much prefered the overall dial style especially in the 6263 with the black aluminum bezel insert.And yes they were very poor sellers but today much more valuable than any modern day Daytona will ever be.

So we have stablished that the 6263's were difficult to sell and this was because they weren't that good. However like any Rolex that sells poorly, it later becomes rare and then expensive. Such is the madness of the vintage Rolex market.

Regards

Mick

[Mystro]

I owned a Daytona years ago for about a week.
Didnt like it. Looked/wore too small on my wrist. I also needed a date function. I get what the Daytona is all about but it isnt for everyone.

Originally Posted by droptopman

I am in the minority here. Not a Daytona fan. Wear too small and legibility is not great. Love them in pictures, dig the history and style, but just do not care for them on me. Tried several times over the years to love one, but they never stick around long.

[joli160]

I like the aesthetics but need a date, no Daytona for me

[kopykopy]

I have the Daytona and I agree with you. I do not use the chronograph. It is hard to read. I have to reach for my reading glasses most of the time. It is my least favourite amongst my Rolexes. However, despite its shortcomings, a Daytona is a Daytona. From a aesthetic design perspective, it is very pretty. And it feels special when it is on my wrist. That is enough for me.

[red1108nyc]

It comes down to aesthetics. Some get it and some don't and neither are right or wrong.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by kopykopy

I have the Daytona and I agree with you. I do not use the chronograph. It is hard to read. I have to reach for my reading glasses most of the time. It is my least favourite amongst my Rolexes. However, despite its shortcomings, a Daytona is a Daytona. From a aesthetic design perspective, it is very pretty. And it feels special when it is on my wrist. That is enough for me.

Well said.
Last time I opened about a watch being purchased for reasons other than needing to tell the time easily, others jumped on me.
Sure there are some reasons to tell the time easily, but the majority of watch lovers buy for reasons of look, feel, memory, cachet, collectability, profitability.
So I say again well said...
Regards

[uansari1]

I'm actually in the same boat. Not a fan of the Daytona, as there are more interesting chronos out there. That being said, I wouldn't throw it away if someone gifted me one...I'd flip it for something else. :)

[Kevan]

I never use the bezel of the Sub, not the second hour hand of my BLNR, I don't use the date on my DJ and I have never had cause to use the chronograph on my Daytona.

In fact, I quite often look at my iPhone for the time.

However, I do like my watches, some days, some better than others. It's a little like choosing which suit to wear to work.

This may not help this thread, but it is my ramblings and I am not allowed another watch, Mrs. Kevan has spoken after Saturday's purchase..... We shall see.

[the_natural]

Originally Posted by Kevan

However, I do like my watches, some days, some better than others. It's a little like choosing which suit to wear to work.

I can't relate. I have but one watch and one suit.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by Kevan

I never use the bezel of the Sub, not the second hour hand of my BLNR, I don't use the date on my DJ and I have never had cause to use the chronograph on my Daytona.

In fact, I quite often look at my iPhone for the time.

However, I do like my watches, some days, some better than others. It's a little like choosing which suit to wear to work.

This may not help this thread, but it is my ramblings and I am not allowed another watch, Mrs. Kevan has spoken after Saturday's purchase..... We shall see.

Great philosophy. Too many say "Not easy to tell the time" only a fool pays big bucks to easily tell the time. No, you buy an expensive watch because you like the look of it. But then , not that many can be totally honest!

[hitman23]

Originally Posted by SamP

Great philosophy. Too many say "Not easy to tell the time" only a fool pays big bucks to easily tell the time. No, you buy an expensive watch because you like the look of it. But then , not that many can be totally honest!

this or because you like expensive things

[Old Expat Beast]

I like the vintage, but modern Daytonas don't interest me at all. I also find the subdials too small to read easily.

[Thatguy]

I like the look of them but it doesn't do anything for me once on my wrist.


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[rmlovett1]

I don't find it difficult to read, I don't use most complications. (other than GMT for second time zone) The size of the Daytona suits me fine, and aesthetically the most beautiful chrono to my eyes! To each their own

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by Richris1

I don't find it difficult to read, I don't use most complications. (other than GMT for second time zone) The size of the Daytona suits me fine, and aesthetically the most beautiful chrono to my eyes! To each their own

I'm with you, Richard Adore mine and it still stuns me after all these years. The others didn't last! It may not be for everyone, but neither is the Milgauss, or the GMT, or the Sub, etc.

[drm20]

Would have to agree with the majority of you here. When I see a Daytona I think, "wow, that's nice," however, I wouldn't own one personally. I have a couple sub c's, Exp 2, and am thinking of picking up a Milgauss myself. So I guess I do enjoy the legible dials with less complication. Everyone has their own opinions and none are wrong, but that's mine.

[breitlings]

The Daytona is special imho. I mean you have to put it on but it's the "first" feeling all over again. Legibility seems very similar to other chronos, maybe something like a breitling Hercules with a combined hour and minute totalizer readout is somewhat easier.

It's a watch you have to see and try on to get it. I originally wasn't into them, but now I think my next Rolex may also be another Daytona, but am thinking about adding a blro or smurf down the line.

[Chiboy]

For me, the Daytona's looks and history is what I find most appealing. I've owned one for about six months, and find it not as easy to read as my trusty DJ, but fine other than in low light when the hour hand is around the six. I don't really use the chronograph, but agree that to read the minutes would probably require me to put on my readers (glasses).

I don't know why folks say that it wears small, but I guess compared to other 40 mm watches it looks small? It's plenty big enough for me, but again, I'm coming from a 36 mm DJ. I find it super comfy, but perhaps that is just a function of the bracelet and size of the case.

IMO, with Arabic numbers, the dial is too busy, but I find without the numbers that it looks just right.

No watch is for everyone. To some folks, too legible = too boring. To others, too much going on is garish. Buy what you like. I did! It works for me, and I couldn't be happier. But I can easily see how others might not agree, or would spend their money on something else.

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I don't know why folks say that it wears small, but I guess compared to other 40 mm watches it looks small?

It wears small for two reason
1) it's not actually 40mm
2) it has a low dial/bezel ratio which always makes a watch wear smaller than its size.

[GP13]

I felt the same way...now I have 2!

[KBM]

The Daytona is the closest I've encountered to a second skin watch, something that just becomes a part of you when it's on, making you forget it's there, but at the same time being bullet proof, worry free and great looking.

[ejvette]

My first Daytona was a black 116520 it was so annoying trying to read the time that after a year I flipped it. A few months ago I had the opportunity to pick up a white dial 116500 bingo much easier to read and I love the look of the ceramic bezel over prior steel bezel model so I'm smitten with this piece and yes it does wear a bit small on my 8" wrist but that's ok I wore a 36 DJ for almost 20 years and never gave the size a second thought.