Buy the Daytona 116500 or Wait for the 126500 ?

[Big Tex Rolex]

I’ve been on the “waitlist” at my AD, for the Daytona 116500LN (White Dial), for about 2.5 years. I was lucky enough to get, from this same AD, the 116500 Black Dial about a year ago.

I like both the 116500 and the 126500.

Some things better on the 11, some things better on the 12.

I see 6 differences …
1. Lug size
2. Crown Guard size
3. Metal “Bezel Guard”
4. More narrow / longer Hour Markers
5. Thinner Subdial Rings
6. Crown added at 6 o’clock

Size difference ???

I’ll be very curious to find out the size … once someone gets one in hand, with a caliper.

Question … if you are offered the 116500 (from your AD) in the next few months, do you take it ?

Or do you hold out for the 126500, noting it may be another 3 years before you are offered that watch ???

[bp1000]

Although I already own the white dial, in your scenario I’d take it if I didn’t.

You can always add the new one if you wanted.

I love the outgoing reference, the new one is virtually the same but it does have small changes I notice and I don’t know if I like them as much.

[Big Tex Rolex]

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[Big Tex Rolex]

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[nr1416]

Both references are great, but for me the size and feel of the 116500 on the wrist is perfection. This new 126500 will definitely wear bigger on the wrist. I have 7" wrists and wouldn't want anything bigger then the 11 series Daytona. If you have bigger wrist then I would say go with the new 12 series.

[2loaded]

Out with the old, in with the new !

[sj24k]

of course you take the 116500 if you're offered it at retail. wear it, enjoy it, flip it, trade it, stick it in a safe. whatever. but turning one down at msrp makes very little sense.

[Bijorn24]

If anyone can hook me up with a 116500ln at msrp, I'll take it!

[train-time]

It's not like these things are sitting in cases waiting for a buyer. I would imagine most ADs sell them within days to clients they deem deserving. Some AD's could be holding a couple in the safe for a whale, but I would imagine those would be the only ones sitting around.

During a visit to my AD in late February the manager said that they were getting considerably more Daytonas than last year. Hint...hint.. saw this coming as Rolex was pushing out existing stock in anticipation for the new model.

Good luck if you can get one. You can always trade in towards the new one if you desire.

[Mystro]

No one in the right mind is turning down any Daytona at MSRP. If you hold out, it may be a lot longer than three years. That regret will be excruciating.
I like the 11 series SS ceramic Daytona a lot better than the new 12 series but if I didn’t have one, I certainly would buy the 12 series at msrp.
This is like being worried about winning the lottery with a scratcher or a quick pick….

[Benzsiam]

I have the white one too, if my AD give me the black one again, I would take it right away. The new one you can get it again in the future.

[train-time]

Originally Posted by Mystro

I can’t believe this is a real question? No one in the right mind is turning down any Daytona at MSRP.

Remember, it's a disease, and we are all addicted.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by train-time

Remember, it's a disease, and we are all addicted.

True, but the disease is all relative and what you’re comparing it to. If you didn’t have a Daytona, certainly you would take it and see if you can learn to like it. Worst case you don’t like it and sell it for an absurd profit with either SS Daytona model. Answer to any Daytona is …yes.

[Big Tex Rolex]

Originally Posted by sj24k

of course you take the 116500 if you're offered it at retail. wear it, enjoy it, flip it, trade it, stick it in a safe. whatever. but turning one down at msrp makes very little sense.

Unless … taking the 11 blows your chance of getting the 12 … ???

I was offered a new Land Rover, from my dealer, but told them I will wait the 6-9-12 months for the new model / iteration.

But, in the case of the LR the differences are substantial … whereas to me, the differences from the 116500 to the 126500 are not that much / substantial.

* Pending the (any) measured size differences.

I’d have to see them both on the wrist, but if on paper the new 12 measures at say 39.8mm vs. the ~38.7mm of the 11, that would give me a moment of pause.

As good as my 116500 fits on my wrist, it could be a tad bigger.

PS … I did not mention it in my opening post, but I received a little teaser text from my AD this morning, prompting my post of this thread.

[sawhornsoff]

I’d get both.

[Big Tex Rolex]

Originally Posted by Mystro

No one in the right mind is turning down any Daytona at MSRP. If you hold out, it may be a lot longer than three years. That regret will be excruciating.
I like the 11 series SS ceramic Daytona a lot better than the new 12 series but if I didn’t have one, I certainly would buy the 12 series at msrp.
This is like being worried about winning the lottery with a scratcher or a quick pick….

Mystro … You are a photography expert …

Do you think the Subdials on the 12 Series are a lighter shade of Black vs. a darker shade on the 11 Series … or is it just a lighting issue ?

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Big Tex Rolex

Mystro … You are a photography expert …

Do you think the Subdials on the 12 Series are a lighter shade of Black vs. a darker shade on the 11 Series … or is it just a lighting issue ?

Same shade of black it’s just they’re thinner, therefore not as bold and dramatic against the white background. It gives your eyes more of a grey color effect from the contrast wash of the white. The font is also the same size which looks crowded to my eyes within the thinner black rings.
We are looking at this watch in and almost macro size online but when held arms length from your eyes, you will see what I mean with the color looking more dark grey than black.

[Big Tex Rolex]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Same shade of black it’s just they’re thinner, therefore not as bold and dramatic against the white background. It gives your eyes more of a grey color effect from the contrast wash of the white. The font is also the same size which looks crowded to my eyes within the thinner black rings.
We are looking at this watch in and almost macro size online but when held arms length from your eyes, you will see what I mean with the color looking more dark grey than black.

I agree 100% … the Subdial Ring on the 126500 looks almost Greyish to me … definitely, at least, the appearance of “light” black vs. dark black.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Big Tex Rolex

I agree 100% … the Subdial Ring on the 126500 looks almost Greyish to me … definitely, at least, the appearance of “light” black vs. dark black.

It’s an optical trick your eye play.

Look at this pic farther away of the current SS Daytona.

You can see the sub dials but they look more dark grey at this distance. The newer 12 series with thin sub dial lines might look like a faint grey line around the dials at this distance.

[sj24k]

Originally Posted by Big Tex Rolex

Unless … taking the 11 blows your chance of getting the 12 … ???

i'm not one to worry about stuff like that. if i was itching for a steel daytona and was offered one, i'd take it and then decide if it scratched my itch. if i didn't, i'd use it as currency for my next move or hang on to it for another day.

good luck. do what works for you!

[BJHofkin]

Does your dealer have a preowned program?

Originally Posted by Big Tex Rolex

I’ve been on the “waitlist” at my AD, for the Daytona 116500LN (White Dial), for about 2.5 years. I was lucky enough to get, from this same AD, the 116500 Black Dial about a year ago.

I like both the 116500 and the 126500.

Some things better on the 11, some things better on the 12.

I see 6 differences …
1. Lug size
2. Crown Guard size
3. Metal “Bezel Guard”
4. More narrow / longer Hour Markers
5. Thinner Subdial Rings
6. Crown added at 6 o’clock

Size difference ???

I’ll be very curious to find out the size … once someone gets one in hand, with a caliper.

Question … if you are offered the 116500 (from your AD) in the next few months, do you take it ?

Or do you hold out for the 126500, noting it may be another 3 years before you are offered that watch ???

[Ruvv]

I am with the new

[Big Tex Rolex]

Originally Posted by BJHofkin

Does your dealer have a preowned program?

They have not announced it yet.

And if they do, I get that trading in an 11 for a 12 could be a possibility (even beneficial to the AD in my mind), but …

my worry is, I get the feeling from the AD that they like to “spread” the watches around … and that if they offered me an 11, and I took it … that I would move way down the list for the 12.

As of now, I’m probably 55/45 towards the 11 … but if the 12 is increased in size by 1mm, that may shift it to 60/40 for the 12.

Goofy (and tough) I know … but I may never get the chance to put them both on the wrist, to make a side by side decision. I would have to choose (if offered) the 11, without ever seeing the 12 … and then thereafter, if I see the 12, and it’s a perfect fit on my wrist, and looks great in person … I suspect I will have been moved to ye olde “3-5 year waitlist”.

On a side note … in an uhh hmm moment … I asked (jokingly) the AD (my SA) what they were going to do with all those now obsolete 116500’s … she said, “I’m not sure what we’re going to do with those.”

Uhh hmm.

[00st]

It’ll be wise to take it. You can always add the new one as time goes.

[gtnator]

I have both white dial and black dial. In my mind there is no overlap, and both fit perfectly in my collection. I would take it asap once offered.


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[Spoonage]

I like my current model. If the new one had the same bezel without the metal outer portion I would go for the new one. For some reason it doesn't look right to me but love everything else they did with it.

[SS Oyster]

This is a serious question?


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[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by nr1416

Both references are great, but for me the size and feel of the 116500 on the wrist is perfection. This new 126500 will definitely wear bigger on the wrist. I have 7" wrists and wouldn't want anything bigger then the 11 series Daytona. If you have bigger wrist then I would say go with the new 12 series.

This will wear like OF PM pieces. You wouldn’t notice the difference.


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[Golfbone]

I would take the old one over the new one in a heartbeat. I think it's a much better looking piece. For me it's not close but beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[SconnieBT]

Here's my breakdown on the changes

Movement: indifferent, they are both great
Lug/case profile: indifferent
Hour markers: 126500 in theory, need to see.
Subdial rings: 116500
(You can change one or the other with the subdials and hour markers, not both imo)
Bezel: 116500
Lug symmetry: 126500
Case size: 116500 (seems the 12 is more of a true 40mm).

Again, no major changes here, just lots of little ones. But the 116500 seems like a more harmonious design. I get that some think the 126500 tips its hat to the zenith Daytonas. It does seem a bit more modest, but maybe they had to if the case size is more of a true 40? As they roll out we will learn more.

Moral of the story, take the 116500 if you can get it. It's a future classic if nothing else.

With no idea that this would be the day it was discontinued, I picked up a 116500ln white dial on Monday. I think it's the one for me personally. But the 126500ln is sure to be just as big of a hit. They are stainless Daytonas after all.
Good luck!

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