Daytona Devil's Advocate

[breitlings]

Imo Chronograph is a very useful function. From timing client meetings calls to figuring out elapsed travel time or racing or cooking steaks, preheating grill, running a boat blower. Additionally the Daytona chronograph can be used to track a second time zone by starting the chronograph at midnight in the second zone.

I find the Daytona to be about the same size as 5 digit references I do not find mine hard to read. My yacht master platinum dial was hard to read in some light...

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Buckeye4life

The daytona is widely considered one of the most iconic Rolexes around. Full disclosure: I've seen lots of pictures, but I have not tried one on or seen one in person.

Personally, it doesn't seem very easy to read, and how often do owners really utilize the complications? I struggle with all the hype. The ceramic, contrasting bezel helps, but doesn't make the dial less busy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and daytonas are well-respected by millions of people. But I don't quite get it. Does anyone else feel this way? If you love the daytona, tell me what I could be missing.

My rolex is the milgauss which only tells time but is really easy to read. I also like DJs, DDs, and GMTIIs. My plan is to get feedback here before trying on a daytona and then see if trying it on wins me over.

I think you're missing everything. An in-house column wheel chronograph is not very easy to develop, especially one on the level IMO of calibre 4130. It's a steal at msrp. If you're not into chronographs though, no harm no foul, it just isn't the right watch for you.

[SamP]

Originally Posted by kopykopy

I have the Daytona and I agree with you. I do not use the chronograph. It is hard to read. I have to reach for my reading glasses most of the time. It is my least favourite amongst my Rolexes. However, despite its shortcomings, a Daytona is a Daytona. From a aesthetic design perspective, it is very pretty. And it feels special when it is on my wrist. That is enough for me.

Well said.
Last time I opened about a watch being purchased for reasons other than needing to tell the time easily, others jumped on me.
Sure there are some reasons to tell the time easily, but the majority of watch lovers buy for reasons of look, feel, memory, cachet, collectability, profitability.
So I say again well said...
Regards

[Benjamin Choi]

The word iconic is oft abused here.

I never use any of my mechanical watches to time anything. I hardly use it to tell time.

It's purely a toy. A luxury toy. For moi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Quicksilver]

I have a black SS Daytona (steel bezel) from 2015. I like it well enough but I have to agree with many of the comments here. It's not the most legible watch and I feel that my Speedmaster is a better designed and more readable chrono. I enjoy the Daytona and I don't want to flip it but still so think it's over- hyped.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Benjamin Choi

The word iconic is oft abused here.

I never use any of my mechanical watches to time anything. I hardly use it to tell time.

It's purely a toy. A luxury toy. For moi.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

You don't think the Daytona is iconic?

Then what is if it isn't

[chronoman]

I have a black faced SS Daytona, and a Speedy Moonwatch. The Omega is easier to read, and does look bigger. But the hezalite crystal is prone to scratching. You have to wind it, and it's already been in the shop for a de-magnetization. It's a miracle the astronauts had any that ran by the time they returned to Earth.
I've got a 9.5 inch wrist. The Daytona wears like a lady's watch. But one of these days hub-cap watches will go out of style. It's been on my wrist almost ten years and it's getting better. Last check, a few weeks ago, it was 0.519 seconds fast per day. Typically people don't think of them like a truck, but these things are solid, and well built in every way. The Omega doesn't come close.
Sure, Daytona is an icon. Books written. Exclusives sales, etc. But they aren't the top of the food chain either. But when you're talking vintage, a Paul Newman Daytona, Chronograph-wise, has to be amoung of the top.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by chronoman

Last check, a few weeks ago, it was 0.519 seconds fast per day. Typically people don't think of them like a truck, but these things are solid, and well built in every way. The Omega doesn't come close.
Sure, Daytona is an icon.

good summary of the observed performance of a Rolex Daytona. Thanks for sharing

[Goin2drt]

I own a SS Daytona. Agree with you 100%. It was my grail I guess so to speak. After owning one my complaints are; on the smaller side, not as easy to see the time quickly especially with my older eyes and I REALLY miss having a date and didn't realize how much I use my watch date.

Having said all that I still think it is the best looking watch around (IMO) and will never get rid of it.

[locutus49]

You either like Daytonas or you don't. It is like Porsche 911's, you like them or you don't. I wear the Daytona for myself, and if my eye get so bad I can't read the dial, I'll buy the WG blue Sub. And the wife can wear the Daytona.

[Snow-Dweller]

Originally Posted by m j b

The white dial SS Daytona was always my grail, and finally late last year I bought an 116520. I could not tell what the time was. Those silver hands on the white face became invisible. It wears small, but I was OK with that, loved the "look" and history of the Daytona, but it just wasn't for me. I flipped it within a week.

My story exactly, except it was six months.

[Stevec14]

Originally Posted by Jambo86

As someone who doesn't like this model it's amazing to sit back and see the hype around particular versions, but each to his own I guess. Personally I don't like anything about it, the dials are too busy for me and the lack of date is a killer too. As some others have mentioned above, I *have* tried to like it but it's just not for me. I guess you're not alone in your thoughts, but we're certainly the minority.

On my speedies, I use the chrono hand as a date I.e. Set to seconds for date. Works ok for me but obviously not an automatic process.

I have no other reason to use the chrono, so I can check the functionality works on the days when I wear it too.....

[Yzord]

Can read mine very well

[watchwatcher]

You really need to try one on for yourself...they're not for everybody. You're going to find both lovers and haters on this forum, but at the end of the day, you'll never know unless you put one on your wrist.