I'm in hot pursuit of my first Daytona

[watchme22]

I'm in hot pursuit of my first Daytona.

I'm now wondering if maybe I should forego buying a highly overpriced 116500LN ($18,000-$20,000+) and instead go for a well cared for 116520.

Should I decide to pursue a second hand Daytona SS 116520 which year model should I set my sights on? Are the newer year(s) such as 2014-15 better than previous years? Do any of the 116520 model years have annoying characteristics I should avoid?

Any other pointers and suggestions?

Many thanks for your help.

[henrylee]

The 116520 models are great models. I would try to get the newest one that you can purchase.

[PLNYC]

116520 is a great choice.

[JM0127]

It's all about the chase. I think personally, the C-DT's are going to be coming more and more this year. Again, I only know what I am told. I spoke with our Rolex Rep (not AD rep) and said the word from up the hill is that starting in Feb with the general restocking orders etc, the community as a whole will start to see an increase of availability of the Sky-D SS, C-DT, and SD43. The January shipment of C-DT's and other resupply's were a 'thank you" for dealers from Rolex. I do hope it is true. He was hush-hush on the price increase or if there was going to be one at all. Unfortunately, I cannot help you there.

[watchme22]

Originally Posted by henrylee

The 116520 models are great models. I would try to get the newest one that you can purchase.

On the serial number, which letter of the alphabet corresponds with the most recent manufacture date on the 116520 SS model?

The warranty date on the warranty card is not always the same year as the year of manufacture is it?

[doboy007]

Originally Posted by watchme22

I'm in hot pursuit of my first Daytona.

I'm now wondering if maybe I should forego buying a highly overpriced 116500LN ($18,000-$20,000+) and instead go for a well cared for 116520.

Should I decide to pursue a second hand Daytona SS 116520 which year model should I set my sights on? Are the newer year(s) such as 2014-15 better than previous years? Do any of the 116520 model years have annoying characteristics I should avoid?

Any other pointers and suggestions?

Many thanks for your help.

I wouldn’t settle for 116520 if you really have your sights set on DaytonaC. For me, even if I buy prev Daytona I would constantly want the DaytonaC and regret my purchase.

[Chute]

Random serials were the last 116520s produced. If it has blue lume instead of green then it was the last of the 116520s before the release of the 116500. The warranty date starts the day a dealer sells it. There is no way to know how long it sat in a dealers safe before the sale unless it is a G series or earlier and only those guides are guesses

[DoctorA]

I’m on the same pursuit but the upgrades on the new Daytona are worth the wait imho
But I wouldn’t pay a penny above MSRP so will just have to waaaaaaaaaait :(

[watchme22]

Do any Rolex AD's charge more than MSRP for their new Rolex watches? I always understood that Rolex won't let them discount the watches, but wondered if they add to the list price when an item is in short supply and high demand?

My AD is in Connecticut and they always discounted my watches, but that way back in the day so to speak. Don't know what they would do today. The last watch I bought was in 2004.

[jrs146]

Having owned both I’ll say they wear and look very different. I’m partial to the ceramic Daytona as I’ve sold off the SS a while ago but you can’t go wrong with either.






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[Chadridv]

hmmm, if you said the 116520 was the watch you truly wanted, I'd say 100% go for it. It is an amazing reference. But if the 116500 is the one you really want, i'd wait it out or do what you have to do to get one.

If you're anything like me, the 116500 would linger around in my head and never leave lol. Eventually I would get it, and probably end up spending the same amount of money in the process.

ANyway, if you now have your heart set on the 116520, I wouldn't hesitate. Be sure though!

[watchme22]

Truth is that I really want the 116500. I want it with a black dial --- everyone else seems to want the white dial. So that's good for me.

Tell me -- does it matter if the date of manufacture of the 116500 is 2016 and not 2017?

[GB-man]

Originally Posted by watchme22

Truth is that I really want the 116500. I want it with a black dial --- everyone else seems to want the white dial. So that's good for me.

Tell me -- does it matter if the date of manufacture of the 116500 is 2016 and not 2017?

Not really, just 1 less year of warranty you’ll probably never need

[Sglass]

I've been in the same boat for a while. On the waitlist all over the place and can't seem to catch a break. I've also been debating the 116518 YG with Paul Newman dial on leather band which seems like somewhat of a dial compared to the SS.

[imperio]

Originally Posted by watchme22

Truth is that I really want the 116500. I want it with a black dial --- everyone else seems to want the white dial. So that's good for me.

Tell me -- does it matter if the date of manufacture of the 116500 is 2016 and not 2017?

Where would you see the date of manufacture? Are you referring to the date on warranty card?

[watchme22]

I don't know where you would see the date of manufacture if it's an ambiguous serial number. I just figured you guys would know because I'm learning here.

However, if the date on the warranty card is in 2016 I would figure it was made then and the 116500's were not available prior to 2016.

[brucethemanlee]

Originally Posted by watchme22

I don't know where you would see the date of manufacture if it's an ambiguous serial number. I just figured you guys would know because I'm learning here.

However, if the date on the warranty card is in 2016 I would figure it was made then and the 116500's were not available prior to 2016.

Date on warranty card is date of sale not manufacture

You would never be able to tell if a Daytona sold in early 2017 was made in 2016 or 2017. AD may have had 2016 Daytona sitting in safe saving for a VIP that was sold in 2017




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[Tom808]

Early 116520 had the thin hands thus might be a bit difficult to see.
Also there was an update to the clasp. Other than that, there were no major changes.
Congrats in advance!

TOm

[andyxxx]

I would wait for the ceramic.
I sold my pervious Daytona because the bezel scratches too easily (despite being careful)
I also think the Ceramic Daytona makes all pervious Daytonas look dated and ‘old fashioned’

I bought a ceramic Sub to tide me over until I manage to obtain a ceramic Daytona.

[Chiboy]

I have found that "settling" is too expensive in the long run, so I usually wait until I can get just what I want, or don't get anything at all.

If you really want a ceramic Daytona, and IMO they are awesome, wait until you can get one at a price you are comfortable with.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by watchme22

I don't know where you would see the date of manufacture if it's an ambiguous serial number. I just figured you guys would know because I'm learning here.

However, if the date on the warranty card is in 2016 I would figure it was made then and the 116500's were not available prior to 2016.

You're overthinking it. As the D500 is a new watch by industry standards, any one you get is going to be a newer model. As been stated, the date on the card is the date of sale. Unlike other models, however, you can bet that's not going to be far off the date of manufacture as these things don't exactly sit around on the shelves.

Just get the watch you want and don't "settle."

[travisb]

Wait and get the 116500. Settling just results in flipping.

[Chadridv]

Originally Posted by travisb

Wait and get the 116500. Settling just results in flipping.

This. Flipping = spending more money.

If buying Pre-Owned doesn’t matter to you, I’d wait for a mint example in the 16k range.

Paying a premium? Yes, it stings. But you could be waiting years for retail pricing, if you get the chance at all.

[sdh1980]

Daytona C.... I've had both and I much prefer the newer version. There's an argument that by the time you go on a waiting list and if you eventually get one, the price may have increased significantly to what you'd pay now from a grey dealer. Get it now and enjoy it. Life's too short

Doesn't sound like the 116520 will fully scratch your itch

[rossi46]

Don't settle for the 116520. Pay the premium for a ceramic model now, or be patient and get on waiting lists.

Personally, I was never attracted by the previous generation Daytona. It was only when Rolex put the black ceramic bezel on it and changed the subdials that I thought "I HAVE to have one."

[Goin2drt]

Hold out for Daytona C.

My story is the white face Daytona was my grail watch. Then the C came out and I liked it so much more. I actually did what you are thinking and said the hell with it, bought the non C.

This was my grail right? It ended up in the safe more than my wrist. I just didn't love it, felt small on my wrist and I regretted not waiting. I sold it and I never sell watches.

I am now going to wait it out for the C.

[Raypep]

Originally Posted by DoctorA

I’m on the same pursuit but the upgrades on the new Daytona are worth the wait imho
But I wouldn’t pay a penny above MSRP so will just have to waaaaaaaaaait :(

Same. I just put my name on a list at 2 places, one with a previous purchase. We'll see. I'm not holding hope for this year.

[watchme22]

Ok you guys have convinced me to stay put on the newer Daytona. You all are so right about it nagging in your mind regretting buying the older model. I have learned that lesson already when I bought my first set of golf clubs. I really wanted the Callaway set, but let the club pro talk me into a knock-off set. Result was I spent way more than intended because I lost money selling the knock-offs even though practically new.

[watchme22]

Originally Posted by Raypep

Same. I just put my name on a list at 2 places, one with a previous purchase. We'll see. I'm not holding hope for this year.

Last month I too put my name on a list with an Oregon AD on SS Daytona, but happened to call back 3 weeks later and a different person answered the phone. She looked at the list and said my name wasn't on it. I think they try to be polite knowing full well they won't be selling the watch to you since you can't possibly get there within 3 hours.

I'm at my winter home about 2 hours north of Santa Barbara right now. But, by May I'll be at my summer home that's 2 hours NW of Seattle. I could be at the Rolex AD in Victoria, BC quicker though. It's not easy for me to get to an AD. But, maybe I could find a dealer who will take a big deposit and put me on a list that way.

A previous poster said that by February Rolex will have stocked it's base of AD's with even more supply (than in 2017) of the Daytona and the Sky Dweller. If that's true, it will drop grey market prices significantly. Already we see Sky Dwellers brand new from the grey for less than $16,000. Grey sellers who had to pay sales tax find themselves almost breaking even. We need to see BNIB Daytona SS for $16,000. That would be a reasonable profit -- a better one, in fact, than what a BMW car dealer makes.

[AK797]

I like the D500 but it is not worth much of a premium to me, but if I really loved the watch I wouldn't wait years either.