Panda 116500 vs 126500

[kritameth]

Originally Posted by Greg.A

Indeed, refer this poll where 126500 wins over 116500, over 600+ voters voted. As the TS put it, numbers don’t lie. Also similar results over at Fratellowatches where 126500 emerged the winner.

I love numbers and all for polls, but referencing that poll as an argument, given the current margin of 2.5%, is reaching at best. Assuming a reasonable margin of error, it is, by all means, a tie. I own both and by no means advocating one over the other, simply an attempt to be rooted statistically.

[Greg.A]

Originally Posted by EEpro

"I reject your facts and insert my own reality!"

This watch is pretty tough to beat and I've owned many 11 series configurations.

Yes, indeed, only its own successor can beat the predecessor. Otherwise 116500 itself is hard to beat.

[karleone]

In case you haven’t decide yet

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by 10splaya

Im thinking about getting a new Panda Daytona

What are the plus and minus of the 2024 126500 vs the 116500

As far as aesthetics looks performance etc etc?

Is the Panda worth spending double retail?

Thanks in advance

Poke around on the forum. There are several multi-page threads on this topic......

[nachopc]

Originally Posted by karleone

In case you haven’t decide yet

Amazing


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[Polarexplorerii]

I can not stomach paying $30K for SS knowing for a few thousand more you can get a full PM piece.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by nachopc

Amazing


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Thank you so much!

[karleone]

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

I can not stomach paying $30K for SS knowing for a few thousand more you can get a full PM piece.

The retail price is like 15/16K

[MannyMann]

It all depends on your preference, we could have diverse opinion based on what we individually like, I'd go for the 12 series as it looks more refined and well finished in my eyes IMO.

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

I can not stomach paying $30K for SS knowing for a few thousand more you can get a full PM piece.

$10k more plus tax so $4k more after that

[IGY]

Originally Posted by Polarexplorerii

I can not stomach paying $30K for SS knowing for a few thousand more you can get a full PM piece.

For a few thousand more you'd be getting a PM on Oysterflex, not a full PM piece. A full PM on solid Oyster would be about $10-15k more.

But regardless the point you are making is solid: the upsell to PM / Oysterflex with a small grey premium to RRP (or even at RRP if your AD likes you) starts to look a lot more appealing. More attractive than lining the pockets of grey dealers with a premium that is may well continue to erode if the global economy weakens further.

[huba01]

Originally Posted by jcdevoe26

I was in the same situation recently. I personally do not like the changes made in the new 12 series. I am a fan of the quirkiness of the asymmetrical lugs and smaller size of the 116550ln (I have smaller wrists). I did give the 12 series a try (went and tried it on) and just did not like the newer (not really new as its the case that the WG/RG daytonas have been using for years) case dimensions and feel on my wrist....so I went ahead and bit the bullet and paid probably far too much for an unworn/fully sticker 116500ln and guess what I do not regret it at all. I love the watch and its not going to be resold so dont really care about "losing money", the watch will be handed down to my daughter at some point down the road anyways and so the smaller size will work for her as well :-)

Totally agree, I have the same as Karl, 116500 Black and 126500 White and looking to trade the 126500 panda to the older version. Love the asymmetrical lugs, smaller size and the boldness of the dial making it appeal more sporty to me. Also have a 116519 that I love and a 116520 white dial which will probably be traded into a mint 16610lv at some point.

[Oytun]

Originally Posted by huba01

Totally agree, I have the same as Karl, 116500 Black and 126500 White and looking to trade the 126500 panda to the older version. Love the asymmetrical lugs, smaller size and the boldness of the dial making it appeal more sporty to me. Also have a 116519 that I love and a 116520 white dial which will probably be traded into a mint 16610lv at some point.

Daytona was born with a sports spirit, should have a sporty appearance.

I also tried both for some time, and back to 116. 126 is beautiful, but i'm not looking for beauty or elegance in a watch, i couldn't stand thin subdials and bezel on a bigger "looking" case. It 100% felt like 116610 after 16610 to me. I like more masculine - aggressive looking watches. It's built for motorsports, race tracks. Not for golf courses.

[rockysw]

if you have to buy gray then try it on and see which one you like more.

I had to make the same call last year and I went with 116500 white dial (asymmetrical case, full ceramic bezel and overall sportier look were the key deciding factors for me).

[qtracer]

Just made this call on the 116519LN vs 126519LN (ghost), I went the direction of the 116, but for me, availability and the $ delta played a roll as I thought going grey market the better bang for the buck was in the 116.

From the pics, I do find some evolution in the 126, the main one for me would be the glide lock on the Oysterflex band, not sure if the steel added the gridlock as you can add or remove links?

[Duke10]

Thikkkk bezel


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[Kenny G]

The 126 is a classy but fairly discreet update. Is it worth 30k USD? No…

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Kenny G

The 126 is a classy but fairly discreet update. Is it worth 30k USD? No…

This for sure. I enjoy wearing mine but might also enjoy seeing $30,000 more in my 5% apy cash account.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by EEpro

This for sure. I enjoy wearing mine but might also enjoy seeing $30,000 more in my 5% apy cash account.

Is this RolexForums or InvestingYourMoneyForums ??

[antelom]

Originally Posted by karleone

I own the white 126500, the white 116500 is not mine (I have as well a black 116500).
The 116500 asymmetrical slim case looks better. For all the rest the 126500 is an upgrade (thinner subdials and indices, bezel ring, new endlink shape, thinner makes it very comfortable and even more than the 116500). The 126500 wears slightly larger than the 116500.

[milgauss2232]

Everyone’s talking about the case and dial, are there any differences in the bracelets and any changes? Opinions on which bracelet is ‘better’?

[daysky1]

Personally I would not spend double retail on any Rolex. ? However it's your money and you can spend it however you want. I have two Steel daytonas in the discontinued reference one black dial one white dial and another two-tone yellow gold in the discontinued reference black dial. I am a fan of the discontinued reference I think it has a little more character, however after reviewing more and more of the new reference I'm starting to become a fan of it also.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by milgauss2232

Everyone’s talking about the case and dial, are there any differences in the bracelets and any changes? Opinions on which bracelet is ‘better’?

Identical bracelets. I think it has a new part number for the top level assembly but the pieces parts (links and buckle) are identical.

Edit: as Karleone pointed out the end link was modified to match the new lugs.

[worldofoyster]

prefer the 11xxxx

[t65tampa]

I have a 116500 black and a 126500 white. I love them both, but I would give the nod to the 126500 primarily because of that cool bezel ring around the ceramic insert as I think it adds a nice detail.

I do not like the name "panda" for the white dial Daytona. The white dial Daytona is not a traditional "panda" contrast of white dial with black subdials.

Daytona is my favorite Rolex watch, so I don't think you can go wrong with any of them.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by milgauss2232

Everyone’s talking about the case and dial, are there any differences in the bracelets and any changes? Opinions on which bracelet is ‘better’?

The endlink design is different

[10splaya]

Well..double retail is a killer thats for sure....

Something to think about...

I wish I had a connection to get one a lot less expensive!!

:)

[thegrandseirolexguy]

What was that saying? Once you go black, there’s no turning back?

In my case, I went black, so I can’t and don’t want to turn back anymore.


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[explorer42]

Yep, definitely prefer the white 116 after seeing Karle_one_sub_16610’s pics of the white 126. The white 116 just has overall better balance, aesthetically. Yet strangely, the black 126 looks significantly better than the 116 black. If I had a choice, I definitely wouldn’t go 116 black and 126 white, I’d go with the opposite combination, for sure.

[MY-WATCH]

Originally Posted by jcdevoe26

I was in the same situation recently. I personally do not like the changes made in the new 12 series. I am a fan of the quirkiness of the asymmetrical lugs and smaller size of the 116550ln (I have smaller wrists). I did give the 12 series a try (went and tried it on) and just did not like the newer (not really new as its the case that the WG/RG daytonas have been using for years) case dimensions and feel on my wrist....so I went ahead and bit the bullet and paid probably far too much for an unworn/fully sticker 116500ln and guess what I do not regret it at all. I love the watch and its not going to be resold so dont really care about "losing money", the watch will be handed down to my daughter at some point down the road anyways and so the smaller size will work for her as well :-)

This