A Week on the Wrist - My Rolex Daytona Ref 116500LN

[Horologista]

I really enjoyed Jack Forster’s Hodinkee review of the Daytona when it came out last year. I recently got hold of my own and wanted to share some of my observations and the unexpected differences between my expectations and the experience of owning the watch in the metal.

1. I always loved Rolex all brushed oyster bracelets, and thought I wouldn’t like the polished center links on the Daytona. Was totally wrong on this one. Love this bracelet. Also love the shorter clasp compared to the sub.

2. I always loved flinging my wrist with a Patek on it and feeling the rotor spin and make a noise. I always felt a tacit disappointment that none of my rolexes did this. The Daytona does do it although it is not quite as noticeable as a Patek. When I flick it while holding it in the palm (not really on the wrist) I can feel the rotor spinning, and in a quiet room I can also hear a muted sound.

3. The face of the watch looks great in all levels of light intensity (evening at home, flourescent, bright sun outside). Most of my other watches look better in one type of light over another type.

4. Size. Wears smaller that a sub despite the same nominal dimensions.

5. It is a more flashy watch. Some watch people have noticed it from across a room.

6. Feel lucky to have one with the crown pointing straight up. Never had that with any other Rolex.

Thats about all for now.

Obligatory photo attached.

[scombs263]

Thank you for sharing.....

[broham84]

I think 116500 is the perfect watch for a one watch person. A perfect balance between sportiness/robustness/finishing/reliableness

[Sub*Man]

Perfect blend of sporty and elegant. Thanks for sharing.

[ks58]

I always notice a Daytona nowadays with how crazy the prices are and how difficult they are to get at retail. I love wearing the one I have. But it does look small.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by ks58

I always notice a Daytona nowadays with how crazy the prices are and how difficult they are to get at retail. I love wearing the one I have. But it does look small.

Although a great movement and a fine watch today the Daytona must be the most over hyped Rolex watch ever. And today the hype has driven prices like you say to crazy money. But today some buy the hype to wear the hype as to many today Rolex watches are little more than ££$$€€ objects.

[Ginsu_]

I had never tried one on before I bought mine, and was very surprised when I realized how small it wears compared to my 116710BLNR. To me it comes across more elegant on the wrist compared to the other tool watch lines and is definitely more comfortable

[rlx123]

It’s the most comfortable watch in my collection, even more comfortable than my ss DJ41. I only wear the Daytona now. If I had bought it first, I would definitely end up with a one watch collection.


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[Deppe]

I agree with the Daytona as being a fantastic watch.

I started out with a Speedmaster and a No-Date Sub. Sold those, and got a 116710LN and a 116610LN. Sold those two and bought a 116500 and a 16710.
Sold those two to fund a Patek Philippe 5167. Fantastic watch and I were happy with it, until I saw a picture of a guy wearing the 116500 white dial. For the first time in a really long time I was like "Dang, that is a really beatiful watch!". So I sold the Aquanaut 5167, and re-purchased a 116500. In fact, I just ordered a 116520 with black dial, as I really liked the looks of those models as well.

That being said, I really think a watch like the Speedmaster is fantastic also. I just really prefers my watches to have a minimum 100m WR, unless it is a pure dress watch. If only the Speedmaster had that, I would have one of those in my collection as well.

[1William]

Nice review. I have owned all of the models of the Daytona from Platinum to TT to RG to YG to WG and SS. I always have fun with them but they never seem to hang around in the collection for very long. If the prices would stabilize I might get another and sit tight with it but it does not look like that is going to happen.