ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX
24 September 2011, 02:14 PM | #1 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Mehrdad
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Watch: Ω & Rolex
Posts: 320
|
What's special about a Daytona?
Dear TRF members,
I'm new to the Rolex world, so please educate me. What makes a Daytona special, more so than a Sub or SD, or even DSSD? Why is there such a demand, and why is there a long wait list to get one? |
24 September 2011, 02:21 PM | #2 |
Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Chicago
Posts: 139
|
There's no wait list to get one here. All the ADs have them on display. I think they are wanted because they have a chronograph and represent a mechanical step up from the typical Rolex.....and they look great too!
|
24 September 2011, 02:39 PM | #3 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
Join Date: May 2007
Real Name: Larry
Location: Mojave Desert
Watch: GMT's
Posts: 43,514
|
Every product line has it's superstars, be it BMW, Mercedes, Levi's, Ben & Jerry's, or Rolex....
__________________
(Chill ... It's just a watch Forum.....) NAWCC Member |
24 September 2011, 03:12 PM | #4 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2011
Real Name: Gunter
Location: AL/NJ
Watch: DSSD; 116610LN
Posts: 5,509
|
I don't think it is. It's not a rare watch anymore just a little more complicated.
|
24 September 2011, 03:27 PM | #5 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2011
Real Name: Mehrdad
Location: Scottsdale, AZ
Watch: Ω & Rolex
Posts: 320
|
|
24 September 2011, 03:38 PM | #6 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Oct 2006
Real Name: Ron
Location: Alabama
Watch: Daytona,TT Sub,GMT
Posts: 4,673
|
IMHO, A watch is special only if the watch owner deems it special. To be honest with you when I first saw the Daytona(online), I though, what's all the hype about? It looked good but no date? Then I tried one on and fell in love. I love the way it looked on my wrist and that's what sold me.
__________________
Ron |
24 September 2011, 04:03 PM | #7 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: Earth
Watch: 16610LV
Posts: 949
|
Rolex's marketing strategy makes the SS Daytona special.
|
24 September 2011, 06:50 PM | #8 |
Banned
Join Date: Aug 2010
Real Name: MJR
Location: Midlands, UK
Watch: 116618 LB
Posts: 878
|
As someone has already said, it's about how the owner perceives 'special'. I've tried them on and it does nothing for me. My wrists seem to drown it and I'd hardly be called a big bloke. If it were Sub-size, I'd be in for it, but it's not and I suppose never will be.
I think the chronograph function will certainly add to the complication, but does anyone regualarly use it? I had a Tag Monaco for a while and rarely started up the chronograph. |
24 September 2011, 07:19 PM | #9 |
Member
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Italy
Posts: 128
|
The Daytona is a mith and what makes it special (if we can say special) and wanted is the status symbol and the history behind its name!
There are so much watches better than the Daytona, but they're not Daytona.. For what regards the other watches in Rolex collection I think they're not less than the Daytona in some cases.. In my personal opinion the Submariner is THE Rolex, more historical and representative of the Rolex brand than the Daytona! |
24 September 2011, 07:52 PM | #10 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: MJC
Location: PHL USA
Watch: IWC, Rolex, AP
Posts: 29,232
|
I like it, I'd love it with a date (no cyclops)...
__________________
|
24 September 2011, 08:13 PM | #11 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,253
|
There doesn't seem to be the demand there once was, or at least it does not appear to be as hard to get a SS Daytona as it once was. I still have yet to see a SS Daytona on display at an AD with the exception of a used one but even that is pretty rare. When I did even the used one commanded a higher price at the time I saw it.
The SS Daytona used to be real difficult to get and one had to be a good customer at an AD, go on a waiting list, and potentially wait years to get one. The demand used to be higher than the supply. I understood that customers used to pay prices higher than MSRP to get one, and could potentially turn around and sell one formore than what they paid for it after they got one. The Daytona and in fact Chronographs where not that special when they came out originally, in fact that is why some of the older ones now are worth so much money. However at some point Rolex was able to turn this around and they became special. Probably because the created an aura about them, and partly maybe because peoples tastes changed. Whether it is special to you or not doesn't really matter. I thought it was special enough that I wanted one. I have not been disapointed, because I really think it is pretty special. As long as you get the watch that is special to you, then that's all that matters.
__________________
When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons |
24 September 2011, 08:48 PM | #12 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Real Name: Dalip
Location: Mumbai and Perth
Watch: Rolex PAM Omega
Posts: 18,656
|
Nope - that would be the 4160 in the YM II
__________________
------------------------------------------------------------ "The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else." George Bernard Shaw |
24 September 2011, 08:57 PM | #13 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 64,009
|
Correct! Also- why does this always seem to lead to Daytona bashing...
__________________
SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT |
24 September 2011, 08:59 PM | #14 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Real Name: Dalip
Location: Mumbai and Perth
Watch: Rolex PAM Omega
Posts: 18,656
|
Has to be because it's such a great watch Ken
__________________
------------------------------------------------------------ "The liar's punishment is not in the least that he is not believed, but that he cannot believe anyone else." George Bernard Shaw |
24 September 2011, 09:01 PM | #15 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: May 2010
Real Name: Dan
Location: USA
Watch: This N That
Posts: 34,253
|
Quote:
__________________
When it captures your imagination, that's when you know you have found your passion. Loyal Foot Soldier of The Nylon Nation. Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons |
|
24 September 2011, 09:14 PM | #16 |
TRF Moderator & 2024 SubLV41 Patron
Join Date: Dec 2007
Real Name: Ken
Location: SW Florida
Watch: One on my wrist.
Posts: 64,009
|
Agree Dan and Dalip!!
__________________
SPEM SUCCESSUS ALIT |
24 September 2011, 09:46 PM | #17 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Real Name: Joe
Location: PA
Posts: 14,774
|
That's because I said so.
|
24 September 2011, 09:53 PM | #18 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: Gotham
Posts: 9,641
|
It the prettiest watch in the Rolex line up. That's what makes it special.
|
24 September 2011, 09:53 PM | #19 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2008
Real Name: Chris
Location: England
Posts: 8,150
|
It's certainly a very, very good chronograph, with a movement that is universally regarded as excellent. However, the reputation of the Daytona has always been somewhat self-fulfilling - it's popular because it's popular. It seems hard to believe these days that the original was a complete failure in terms of sales. It turned around in the late 1980s, when the Italian fashion scene picked up on it, and started snapping up the early models, particularly those with exotic dials. That reflected itself with people buying the latest production models as well, coinciding with the release of the ref. 16520, with the Zenith-based movement.
With that model, there were never enough ebauches (base movements) to meet demand - whether Zenith couldn't produce enough, or didn't want to supply enough, we don't know. This led to the formation of the legendary Daytona waiting lists, and the watch's unobtainable aura contributed further to its mystique. The watch was updated in 2001 with the introduction of Rolex's in-house cal. 4130, and that cleared up any of the production problems, but, despite the improved supply, demand could still not be met. People were under the impression for a long time that the Daytona was a rare watch - it wasn't, it was a regular production model, produced in the thousands. The demand was (and still is) just so high, Rolex couldn't (or wouldn't) match production to it. So is there anything particularly special about the Daytona? From a purely horological point of view, not really - a very solid chronograph, but nothing world changing. From the point of view of collectors, there is: the association with Paul Newman, the scarcity of the original, the perceived scarcity of the current model. At the end of the day, it's down to what you prefer yourself. For me, I was always somewhat underwhelmed by the SS model, I far preferred the bold design of the dials available on the TT model. But if you should decide to buy a Daytona, make sure you're in love with the watch, not it's reputation Chris |
24 September 2011, 10:07 PM | #20 | |
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: New Mexico
Watch: Seiko #SRK047
Posts: 34,460
|
Quote:
The above quote is probably the best advice for anyone who buys any watch, especially a luxury watch.
__________________
JJ Inaugural TRF $50 Watch Challenge Winner |
|
24 September 2011, 10:16 PM | #21 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: bp, hu, eu
Watch: dj 16234, 116610ln
Posts: 2,376
|
a beautiful rolex it is. a shame that the nicer dials only come with the precious metal versions.
__________________
16234 jubilee dial, 116610 ln, grand seiko sbgm221g, omega speedmaster mark II, longines legend diver, breguet 3910, nomos club campus 38, swatch sistem51, mares nemo, seiko ripley, g-shock rangeman instagram: modus_horologicus |
24 September 2011, 10:52 PM | #22 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2009
Real Name: Brian
Location: Kansas
Watch: 16610, Omega PO
Posts: 1,898
|
IMO hype and marketing are what make the Daytona special.
On a different note, I wonder how long it will be before the OP's avatar is removed. You know, cause of the gun and all...
__________________
Things got out of control and I had to stab a clown... |
24 September 2011, 10:55 PM | #23 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Real Name: Paul
Location: UK, Dorset
Watch: and learn
Posts: 2,636
|
Great post Chris thanks
__________________
Rolex Sub 1680, Rolex GMT 116710LN, Rolex Datejust 16220 Salmon Dial (the Mrs), Tudor BB58, Tudor Pelagos Blue and Several Seiko's ************************************************** ***************** "last one in the chopper is a rotten egg" Jonathan Quayle Higgins III |
24 September 2011, 11:10 PM | #24 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2006
Real Name: Paul
Location: Wales, UK
Posts: 14,578
|
Personally, I'm happy that the current MRSP has made the 116520 a watch that can be purchased from a display window as opposed to making flippers a fast buck.
__________________
..33 |
24 September 2011, 11:15 PM | #25 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Texas
Watch: 18078 YG DD
Posts: 7,962
|
Bashing??? You should start a thread on bark.
__________________
BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK BARK |
24 September 2011, 11:41 PM | #26 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Dec 2009
Real Name: JP
Location: USA
Watch: All of them!
Posts: 917
|
It just is.....
Just adding my 2 cents to what has been said.
__________________
********************************* "Eveyone has a plan until they get punched in the face." Instagram: @30threejosh |
24 September 2011, 11:49 PM | #27 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Apr 2008
Real Name: Tony
Location: Oxfordshire, UK
Watch: 116680 & 116622
Posts: 3,953
|
Apparently, if you're bald & rub a Daytona on your head, your hair will grow back thick & lustrous.
Just don't rub it on your Mars & Venus*! *Cockney rhyming slang
__________________
"...why oh why, didn't I take the blue pill...?" http://www.helenanddouglas.org.uk/ www.cheetah.org |
25 September 2011, 01:59 AM | #28 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Mar 2010
Real Name: John
Location: Chicago
Posts: 499
|
If you get a chance try one on. You'll see for yourself. I could of gone either way on purchasing one. Saw a two tone in the store, tried it on and loved how it felt and looked on the wrist. Knew I had to have a SS white dialed one then. Found one about 6 months later. Never looked back.
|
25 September 2011, 02:15 AM | #29 | |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: Madison, WI
Posts: 27
|
Quote:
|
|
25 September 2011, 02:45 AM | #30 |
"TRF" Member
Join Date: Nov 2010
Real Name: Mr. Bill
Location: South Florida
Watch: 16610
Posts: 6,148
|
X2.
I don't care for the Dayton. The dial, and hands make it difficult to determine the time - no contrast. The sub dials make using the chronograh next to impossible to use. Just my opinion.
__________________
Card Carrying Member of the Global Association of the Retro-Grouch-Curmudgeons - ID # 13 |
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests) | |
Thread Tools | |
Display Modes | |
|
|
*Banners
Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.