Daytona--why can't I pull the trigger???

[beshannon]

For the second time I chose NOT to purchase a black dial SS Daytona?

This is the part of watch collecting I begin to hate. I really (thought) I wanted a white dial Daytona but I seem to not be as excited to see the watch on my wrist as I am online.

The Daytona is rare (artificially so), I don't need the chrono, as a matter of fact the chrono for my eyes is almost unreadable, the dial is very cluttered and the hands do not read well either..

If I pass on a Daytona I feel like a failure, that I should own it just because it is so hard to get but I really have a hard time warming up to it.

Thoughts please?

[nyyankees]

It's just a watch man. If it stresses you out it isn't worth it.

[caryyee]

I've got two Daytona's, I don't need or use the chono either. I bought them 'cause they look good, make me feel good when wearing them, and I have no regrets. Buy a watch because you like it, not because you feel that you 'need' to. If you're a 'collector' in the strictest sense, rather than a 'user' of watches, then by all means, buy it and store it in a safe ... but that would be waste ... watches are to wear, and if it doesn't sing to you, then it's not for you :)

[kilyung]

Sounds like you don't want it but have fallen for the hype? Have you tried it on yet? By the way, I love my Daytona.

[theloxmyth]

Originally Posted by beshannon

as a matter of fact the chrono for my eyes is almost unreadable, the dial is very cluttered and the hands do not read well either..

If I pass on a Daytona I feel like a failure, that I should own it just because it is so hard to get but I really have a hard time warming up to it.

Thoughts please?

I agree that the face is busy AND there is no date, but there is no date on the Milgauss and I like it.

It has to "move" you.

That is to say, you ought to have strong desire for it and you don't, it seems.

To quote an old favorite TV show, "Only the Shadow knows."

The "Shadow" is you.

[Speed]

If you are going to spend $12K USD on a Steel watch...you better like it.

Check out the Omega Speedy Pro as a chrono alternative. Very legible and less than a third of the price!!

[garyfromleeds]

I know what you mean , they just seem to lack that bit of something , all said and done they have a great following .

I Personally think the dials are in need of a revamp and look a little dated but each to there own

[GTS Dean]

I have both the Daytona black dial (14 years) and a Speedy Pro (1 yr.) My strong preference is the Omega. Save your bucks until something else gets your interest up.

[bewithabob]

Better to have second thoughts than buyers remorse….

[herbie911]

You listed so many things you hate about the Daytona, why bother! Don't spend your hard earn cash for something that is hard to get, save that for something you will enjoy and treasure. Just move on!

I got both the white and black dial because I think they look gorgeous not because it is a pain to get one. I wear one of them every time I go to car meets and motorsport event and love having it on my wrist!

[capote]

Its not rare BTW. My local AD has both black and white sitting in the display window right now. Buy it if you like the watch otherwise pass on it.

[tkerrmd]

It's not hard to get.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by kilyung

Sounds like you don't want it but have fallen for the hype? Have you tried it on yet? By the way, I love my Daytona.

Tried it on today, felt the black looks sharp but very busy and hard to read. When I started the chrono I had a hard time seeing the small second hand.

Originally Posted by Speed

If you are going to spend $12K USD on a Steel watch...you better like it.

Check out the Omega Speedy Pro as a chrono alternative. Very legible and less than a third of the price!!

I own a Speedmaster Professional and love it, still do not use the chrono but is is much easier to read the time

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by capote

Its not rare BTW. My local AD has both black and white sitting in the display window right now. Buy it if you like the watch otherwise pass on it.

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

It's not hard to get.

Well the are where I live

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by garyfromleeds

I know what you mean , they just seem to lack that bit of something , all said and done they have a great following .

Ah so I am not insane, well at least I don't think so

Originally Posted by herbie911

You listed so many things you hate about the Daytona, why bother! Don't spend your hard earn cash for something that is hard to get, save that for something you will enjoy and treasure. Just move on!

I got both the white and black dial because I think they look gorgeous not because it is a pain to get one. I wear one of them every time I go to car meets and motorsport event and love having it on my wrist!

Do you find the time easy to read? I appreciate the history and I am sure it would wear nice at places I go too.

I appreciate all the comments guys please keep them coming. I have an opportunity to get the white one in a few days and possibly the black if it is still there.

Thanks

[herbie911]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

It's not hard to get.

In Hong Kong, no AD will sell you a blackdial SS Daytona unless you are a VIP customer. Buying one or two Pateks with complications might help!

In UK, you can't get one from AD in places like London or Manchester. One need to try small independents in small towns!

It is not hard to get but one need to put a lot more effort than trying to buy other SS sport Rolex!

[Tan]

Life's more exciting if you take a bit of risk ;)

[JP(Canada)]

Originally Posted by beshannon

If I pass on a Daytona I feel like a failure, that I should own it just because it is so hard to get but I really have a hard time warming up to it.

Thoughts please?

Well, first, I don't think that so hard to get anymore. My most recent visits to two ADs confirmed that both had stock. Things have still not gone back to 'normal' as far they're concerned.

A secondly, if the watch doesn't appeal to you, it's ok not to buy it. Only makes sense to me. In fact, I wish I had that problem....with any watch...I tend to want them all, lol.

Relax and enjoy something else.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

It's not hard to get.

+1. These dealers must be doing a major jedi mind trick number on you guys who think they're hard to get.

[The GMT Master]

They're not rare, the demand simply outstrips the supply. At a rough guesstimate, they're produced in more numbers than most sports watches, but less than Subs and GMTs. If you don't like the watch, you don't like the watch - don't feel like you're obliged to buy one. I've always been seriously underwhelmed by the SS Daytona, it's just not the right watch for me.

As Speed pointed out, the Omega Speedmaster Pro is a great alternative, and has just about the greatest backstory any watch could possibly have. Extremely legible, about as uncluttered as you can get for a 3-dial chrono, and a bit bigger than the Daytona too. The Daytona has no real history to speak of, whereas the Speedmaster was a vital tool in NASA's manned space programme - let's not forget that it played a big role in saving the lives of the Apollo 13 astronauts. It's two different approaches, I guess - the Speedmaster has stayed extremely close to its original roots, whilst the Daytona is more about style and hysteria - it's no longer a desirable watch, it's just a commodity for people to make money out of.

If you really had your heart set on a Daytona, check out the TT version - a far better selection of dials, and it has the visual presence that the steel, in my view, severely lacks. On the white and black panda dial or the blue arabic, it has looks that could kill. Makes the steel look boring by comparison

[Galion]

The Daytona was my absolute grail watch , really loved its design and since they were so hard to get, I wanted one desesperately.
Few years passed until there were plenty avaliable and bought one without a blink, then I realized that it wore smaller than my other Rolex, too formal for dressing casual with shorts, hard to read dial, too busy, and that I needed a date in a watch.
Now, I dont like it any more.

[HL65]

If you aren't sold on it 100% don't do it.

[sleddog]

Originally Posted by SteelerFan65

If you aren't sold on it 100% don't do it.

I have to agree Ken...

I've personally been in the same situation with the Daytona, and I've never crossed the line and purchased. Too many second thoughts from me to do so!

Find another model to lust after and all will be good in the world!

[Hairdude1]

Originally Posted by Speed

If you are going to spend $12K USD on a Steel watch...you better like it.

Check out the Omega Speedy Pro as a chrono alternative. Very legible and less than a third of the price!!

Agreed!

[Highland Ranger]

Same issue here - I recently went to but a Daytona and walked out with a djii.

Daytona was hard to read and I really don't need the chrono functions.

[landroverking]

Please if you don't need a chrono don't buy one

[Bangel]

If I was offered one right now, I wouldn't buy it.

Though I think it's a great watch that looks fantastic, is classic in its own way and highly desired by a lot of people, for me it's too much cash to part with for a watch that doesn't really suit my needs. I need a date function and I don't really need a chronograph.

My advice is to only buy it if you truly like it, not because you think you are supposed to like it.

[Monte Cristo]

If I pass on a Daytona I feel like a failure...

Really? In whose eyes? If its TRF, opinions here are truly divided. It's your money, you decide, you judge alone.

[Brenngun]

Originally Posted by bewithabob

Better to have second thoughts than buyers remorse….

This X1000% ..... You've listed why you don't like it. These will not change after you buy one.

[Psmith]

Whatever the watch, if you don't love it then don't buy it. Imagine doing so, and then how you might feel the next day... buyer's remorse. Then you have to deal with trying to sell/trade and the inevitable loss...

I have found that it can be as satisfying to rule out a particular watch as is it to add one to the wish list