116520 vs 116500

[heath.1967]

Hello guys i have question,im between 116520 black dial and 116500 i was offered both in very mint condition and both come in fullset,i have question do you guys think that the extra $8,000 for the 116500 is worth it ? because i see that the major Difference is only on the bezel and slightly updated movement,and also which one is more blingy and would retain the value better?
in my humble opinion for the 'investment' value the 116520
and for the proportion of the watch i think 116500 is a better watch
thank you so much guys

[padi56]

Originally Posted by heath.1967

Hello guys i have question,im between 116520 black dial and 116500 i was offered both in very mint condition and both come in fullset,i have question do you guys think that the extra $8,000 for the 116500 is worth it ? because i see that the major Difference is only on the bezel and slightly updated movement,and also which one is more blingy and would retain the value better?
in my humble opinion for the 'investment' value the 116520
and for the proportion of the watch i think 116500 is a better watch
thank you so much guys

Exactly the only main difference is a over priced ceramic insert ,today the Daytona must be the most hyped Rolex watch ever.But today hype sells watches,and many today buy the hype to wear it.And many today think of Rolex watches as nothing more than investment £$€ objects.

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by padi56

Exactly the only main difference is a over priced ceramic insert ,today the Daytona must be the most hyped Rolex watch ever.But today hype sells watches,and many today buy the hype to wear it.And many today think of Rolex watches as nothing more than investment £$€ objects.

I don’t know about most hyped. Maybe.

The Patek 5711 and AP Royal Oak are also up there. Heck, the 5711 model was becoming more popular / overshadowing the brand itself so Patek retired it.

At least with Rolex, you still have other hugely popular models that keep Rolex from becoming the “Daytona watchmaker” like the DJ, GMT, Submariner, etc…

[padi56]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

I don’t know about most hyped. Maybe.

The Patek 5711 and AP Royal Oak are also up there. Heck, the 5711 model was becoming more popular / overshadowing the brand itself so Patek retired it.

At least with Rolex, you still have other hugely popular models that keep Rolex from becoming the “Daytona watchmaker” like the DJ, GMT, Submariner, etc…

Well I did state hype was related to the Rolex Daytona not a bit interested in hype over the other brands, but today many buy the hype to wear it irrespective of brand.

[Onequik135i]

116520 has my vote over the newer model.

[Chester01]

Can’t speak to investment value, but for me the crockery which is more likely to fail is not in accord with a true sport watch. The Daytona, unlike the sub and gmt does not have the same bezel protection leaving the edge exposed. The 116520 was the first with an in-house movement and so in my eyes the ceramic bezel moved it farther from what it was and added nothing.

Now, folks like to debate the sport watch issue, but when one is buying a Rolex one is buying the heritage (as most don’t really need a watch these days) and the further away from that heritage the less relevant it becomes in my eyes.

[3omar]

Originally Posted by chester01

can’t speak to investment value, but for me the crockery which is more likely to fail is not in accord with a true sport watch. The daytona, unlike the sub and gmt does not have the same bezel protection leaving the edge exposed. The 116520 was the first with an in-house movement and so in my eyes the ceramic bezel moved it farther from what it was and added nothing.

Now, folks like to debate the sport watch issue, but when one is buying a rolex one is buying the heritage (as most don’t really need a watch these days) and the further away from that heritage the less relevant it becomes in my eyes.

+1

[karleone]

The 116520 is beautiful when unpolished and mint (like on the pictures here) but the polished bezel is a scratch magnet and repolished ones never look good. I personally own the 116500 and if I had the choice will choose the 116500 again. The ceramic bezel is a very nice improvement on the Daytona and it looks stunning.

[Big Tex Rolex]

Based on this side by side photo, I would have to pick the 116500LN as my favorite.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by karleone

The 116520 is beautiful when unpolished and mint (like on the pictures here) but the polished bezel is a scratch magnet and repolished ones never look good. I personally own the 116500 and if I had the choice will choose the 116500 again. The ceramic bezel is a very nice improvement on the Daytona and it looks stunning.

Wow, what a great looking pair! Someone in another thread accused the Daytonas as looking feminine, as if!!

[karleone]

Originally Posted by garyk

Wow, what a great looking pair! Someone in another thread accused the Daytonas as looking feminine, as if!!

Thanks! They surely look grey on women but I wouldn’t say at all they look feminine!

[RaZCaL]

116500 for me. I love The ceramic bezel. You don’t have to worry about the scratches on the bezel if you are careless. The scratches on the bezel will drive me nuts.

[SS Oyster]

I’m in the process of sourcing a black dial 116520 while I’m hoping my AD comes through by my 60th birthday with the white dial 116500. This gets me both … and my favorite of each type.

I want my 116520 to be a 2015 to get the last year with the chromalight lume. Pricing on this one seems to be not that far off from the black 116500 … maybe a thousand or two.

If anyone knows a good place to get a late 116520, I’d be much obliged.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Solo118]

A ceramic bezel is not worth $8k imho, but if we are talking the white dial version....the white dial with black subdials is a huge improvement over the previous white/silver dial. That right there would warrant the higher price for me (or go for a 16520 with SEL)

I just want to add that when buying a 116520 look for the most freshest/unpolished version possible. If polished improperly the lugs will lose their shape, and the bezel will look horrible (however RSC replaces them at a pretty cheap price when servicing)

[karleone]

Originally Posted by Solo118

I just want to add that when buying a 116520 look for the most freshest/unpolished version possible. If polished improperly the lugs will lose their shape, and the bezel will look horrible (however RSC replaces them at a pretty cheap price when servicing)

Completely agree. Try to find an unpolished one.

[TexEd]

For me the 116500 is the preferred watch. The warranty is 5 years versus 2 years for the 116520; and the movement of the newer watch has an improved accuracy. I also personally prefer the ceramic black bezel.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by TexEd

For me the 116500 is the preferred watch. The warranty is 5 years versus 2 years for the 116520; and the movement of the newer watch has an improved accuracy. I also personally prefer the ceramic black bezel.

I do not think the 4130 movement has really changed much over the past 22 years. Maybe a really minor tweak here and there, but Rolex did change their "standard" for all movements which imho the 4130 never had a problem reaching. I would not worry about any 4130 movement being less accurate than another.

I think the only thing that has changed over the years was a blue color hairspring, which came around 2005-ish, as well as a slight revision to the self-winding system. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and the 4130 is a legendary movement

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Solo118

I do not think the 4130 movement has really changed much over the past 22 years. Maybe a really minor tweak here and there, but Rolex did change their "standard" for all movements which imho the 4130 never had a problem reaching. I would not worry about any 4130 movement being less accurate than another.

I think the only thing that has changed over the years was a blue color hairspring, which came around 2005-ish, as well as a slight revision to the self-winding system. If it ain't broke, don't fix it, and the 4130 is a legendary movement

The Daytona was the first Rolex to have a parachom hairspring but back in 2000 launch of the Cal 4130 it was a grey colour now blue by a chemical process.And like you state no difference in accuracy from date of launch till present time.Yes today Rolex retest to this new precision -2+2 but movements are still tested at Swiss to Average -6+4 seconds to get the chronometer certification.

[Phrank]

My opinion only, but there was never a choice for me, it was always the 116520 black dial.

[cts]

116500 gets my vote.

[2nastie]

Just take a step back and set aside the difference in value between the two and overall value of the watch.

It really comes down to one thing. Do you like a steel bezel or ceramic bezel? Both watches are essentially the same but aesthetically the ceramic black bezel gives it a different look compared to the steel model.

You don't need to ask the audience as it's personal taste. It really should be whichever one you like better.

It should be as simple as that when are really talking about minute differences in the change in generation of the watch.

Is it worth $8k more? If you like the ceramic version more then I say the difference is close enough (don't ask me the breaking point). If you like the steel bezel more then you are spending too much.

I either go the extra step and buy the watch I want or its out of budget. I don't think you should "substitute" if the ceramic version is the one you want or spend more if its the steel bezel you want.

[Phrank]

Or buy an aftermarket bezel and have both! Another member found an OEM Daytona Ceramic bezel and swapped his out, can't find the thread but it looked like a.....500!?! lol

I ordered a high quality ceramic bezel, never put it on, but took a pic with it dropped on top. This bezel was ordered from Israel IIRC, and would be a perfect fit.

Shazam!!!

[alonsowwss]

Originally Posted by Phrank

Or buy an aftermarket bezel and have both! Another member found an OEM Daytona Ceramic bezel and swapped his out, can't find the thread but it looked like a.....500!?! lol

I ordered a high quality ceramic bezel, never put it on, but took a pic with it dropped on top. This bezel was ordered from Israel IIRC, and would be a perfect fit.

Shazam!!!

Have the best of both worlds

[Beto737]

Black 116520 and white 116500. I had to have both….Chose the one that talks to you the most. Or, get both!

[101031-28]

116520, hands down.

[Seddyspaghetti]

500

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by heath.1967

i have question do you guys think that the extra $8,000 for the 116500 is worth it ? because i see that the major Difference is only on the bezel and slightly updated movement,and also which one is more blingy and would retain the value better?
in my humble opinion for the 'investment' value the 116520
and for the proportion of the watch i think 116500 is a better watch
thank you so much guys

When do you intend to sell the watch?

[TswaneNguni]

116520 vs 116500 ..only one solution to what is really a personal and biased "debate" :

All four !

I think the 116520 White dial ,4130,thin hands is spectacular .

[illiguy]

16520 and 116500. 116520 in third.

[1665fan]

116520 cream dial thin hands trumps all 116500 and 116520