6239 or 16520 ?? Which one would you choose?

[Rolessor82]

Hi everyone,

Not sure if a debate between these two beauties has been debated here.

I'm not sure which one to pick? I have two options. Two amazing options:
16520 black dial NOS
1966 6239 black dial with all the lume plots, big daytona.

I love a black dial Daytona and I'm undecided. Maybe some opinions can help me decide as to which and why.

Thanks!!!

[HERITAGE82]

If you have a smaller wrist then the 6239 if you have a larger wrist 16520.

I personally would choose the 6239 based on looks alone.

[Dan S]

I'm a little surprised you don't have a strong preference, they are such dramatically different watches ... aesthetically, mechanically, size.

[swish77]

Need photos of both watches to help make a recommendation. There are very few true NOS 16520s out there. Would love to see it, along with the full set.

Condition aside, these references are apples and oranges. It would come down to personal preference. Still, when in doubt, go with a four-digit Daytona.

[Rolessor82]

Originally Posted by swish77

Need photos of both watches to help make a recommendation. There are very few true NOS 16520s out there. Would love to see it, along with the full set.

Condition aside, these references are apples and oranges. It would come down to personal preference. Still, when in doubt, go with a four-digit Daytona.

Sure Aaron. I'll fetch the pictures of both. Thank you

[Rolessor82]

Originally Posted by Dan S

I'm a little surprised you don't have a strong preference, they are such dramatically different watches ... aesthetically, mechanically, size.

They sure are Dan. I have a small wrist, however both fit well. The 6239 is small but looks very good on the wrist.

Aside from all things mechanical I'm basing my decision on condition and basically the looks of it. They are both legendary: one the Zenith and the other the first Daytona reference.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Rolessor82

They sure are Dan. I have a small wrist, however both fit well. The 6239 is small but looks very good on the wrist.

Aside from all things mechanical I'm basing my decision on condition and basically the looks of it. They are both legendary: one the Zenith and the other the first Daytona reference.

OK, if we are going for subjective opinions, here goes. Apologies to anyone who feels otherwise.

Personally, I don't see either of them as "legendary" chronographs. Both are nice watches using lightly modified movements provided by other manufacturers that had been made for decades. Don't get me wrong, I like both of them (although I don't like the 16520 enough to own another) and they are both very collectible. If I was offered a nice 6239 at a good price, I'd probably buy it.

I would call a Zenith A386 "legendary."

[TuRo]

Originally Posted by Rolessor82

They sure are Dan. I have a small wrist, however both fit well. The 6239 is small but looks very good on the wrist.

Aside from all things mechanical I'm basing my decision on condition and basically the looks of it. They are both legendary: one the Zenith and the other the first Daytona reference.

Btw - There is a slight middle ground - the 6239 is a non-oyster case and 37mm and has a thinner and quite rounded profile case that is highlighted by the smaller pushers and crown.

The move to an Oyster case, and a nod by Rolex in late 60s/70s to fashion changes to larger watches, means the later 6265/6263 oyster cased watches are at 37.55 mm slightly thicker and have meatier cases/lugs, and of course larger pushes and crown - the whole package of changes, albeit subtle, means they wear considerably larger.

[Rolessor82]

Sending pics below

[Rolessor82]

16520 & 6239

[swaini3]

Are they both priced fairly? not asking you how much. :)
Another point is: depends on what you currently have in your collection.

[hutch300]

6239 for sure

[cinli]

I’d choose the 6239 for sure without hesitating.

[1665fan]

16520 for me…..especially NOS…

[baumare]

I would choose the plexy and the pump pushers of the 4 digits, the 6239 without hesitation

[rootbeer7]

6239

[KY..]

Try to acquire both if at all possible for the ultimate win…

[TuRo]

I personally don't like any auto Daytona - I find both colours of the dial do not have enough contrast and are also very busy.

Any 37/37.5 mm though, I REALLY love - my fave is paradoxically at the cheaper end... a non-daytona marked sigma dial 6265 in black.!

[Dave4D]

No question, 6239 here.

[watch.hunter66]

6239, without a doubt. There is no game.

[Arnozerosix]

My preference goes toward the 6239 which has more sex appeal, even though on the wrist It looks a bit small nowadays and it sits a bit high as well ...
While the Zenith is a modern watch with all the advantages of being a tool somehow even though it is not super exiting to my eyes...but....waterproofness, serviceability, repairability....

[Rolessor82]

thanks guys

It was a silly thread, not a technical one. Every each of us who is a RF member love watches. And to be fairly honest, like Dan very well said, they are extremely different but in this particular case, I love both, they are both black and in great condition. Tough call for a watch geek.

I think I will go for the 6239. For a small wrist like mine, even better :)

[Juhuatai]

6239.