About to buy first rolex.. Daytona wild card just popped up!

[bmw550i]

Hey everyone,
After trying a few things on at the AD in the fall, I have been lurking here for months researching what to get for my first rolex. I was leaning heavily towards the 39mm Explorer, but the Milguass GV and polar Exp. 2 were still in the running.

So I was at the AD on Friday trying on those models, and I casually asked if they happened to have a white SS daytona.. and to my surprise they did! I tried it on and absolutely fell in love. I have read much about it in my research but wasn't really considering it because I didn't think I would run into one locally.

I have smallish 6.5" wrists so the bigger watches don't appeal to me as much, and although I love the subtlety of the 39mm Exp. I wouldn't mind something that pops a little more. The 116250 really seemed perfect on the wrist.

So... Is this a good opportunity to get a somewhat lesser produced model that I fits me great as a first Rolex? I know they are not as hard to come by as they used to be but its really tempting to jump on this one. Or would you seasoned Rolexers recommend grabbing the Explorer to start with and adding something like the Daytona down the road?

Also, would a new Daytona hold its value as well as a new Explorer or Milgauss? I am not looking for an investment, but would like to build a small collection over time and may trade in/out. I am in my 30's and have the cash for either. This would likely be a daily wearer.

I'm also open to purchasing used from a trusted TRF vendor which I would probably do for the Explorer, but it seems a Daytona at MSRP with no tax (out of state shipping) from the AD is pretty close to mint used models?

Any opinions?
-JR

[padi56]

Afraid no Rolex today is a lesser produced model and seeing the Daytona with the cal 4130 started production in 2000.So today there must be many many thousands in this world today.But all Rolex watches in general hold there price well in the market place,and the Daytona would hold its value slightly more in proportion to price paid than say the Explorer or Milgauss.

[mannyv11]

I vote daytona, they are just a beautiful watch and as the previous poster said will holds its value slightly better than the others mentioned. Plus they are just much more stunning on ones wrist than the 39mm explorer in my opinion.
You should get what sings to you and what you will love, so go in try them on again and see which one you truly love buy that one and enjoy for a lifetime

[Gaijin]

SS Daytona? If you love it then get it!

[Sam Philip]

I would get the Daytona, it is still much sought after. It would hold the value better than GV or Milgauss

[impalass]

I had a similar experience last November, went to check out an Explorer 1, old and new, happen to enquire about a SS Daytona, and came home with a black dial.

In my bias opinion grab the Daytona.

[azguy]

Daytona

[dddrees]

Welcome to TRF.


I would stop focusing on stuff like it retaining it's value, being a less produced model, and focus on which watch you like the most. If you do so you will actually have more enjoyment in the years to come, and that my friend is priceless.

[Lanfor]

If you love the daytona go for it

[SaddleSC]

My best advice would be to buy the watch that you personally like the best and not allow factors like perceived value, false demand and marketing hype influence your decision.

If you love the Daytona, by all means buy it. But make sure it is for the right reasons.

[HyperM3]

In my line of work(car sales) I hear people ask all the time what the car will be worth in 3-5 years. My response to them is always "Are you buying this car to sell, or buying it to drive and enjoy?".

You never know if today, tomorrow or the next day is your last, focus on enjoying everything in the "now". Worry about the later...later.

[kilyung]

Get the Daytona. If you're not happy with it, you shouldn't have much trouble trading it for something else down the road.

[nauticajoe]

If the Daytona sings to you, I say go for it!.....and yes, you can definitely make it an 'every day' watch.

Good luck!

[redmondo]

I agree with some of the comments here. I was tempted by one not too long ago and realized that I was mainly interested because it was harder to find. Not the right reason to buy it. If you love it and it feels great on your wrist, then it is a sweet watch.

[TORRE]

Put away your calculator and choose which one brings the biggest smile to your face whilst thinking about it.It could be a while before you trade so buy the watch you will enjoy the most.

[IMG2]

Buy what you will enjoy wearing. If it's a less popular model, so much the better, you won't see them on everybody's wrists.

[Casey VP-26]

Daytona. Sounds like you really like it.

[White_Au]

Let's sum this up:

Daytona.

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

My best advice would be to buy the watch that you personally like the best and not allow factors like perceived value, false demand and marketing hype influence your decision.

If you love the Daytona, by all means buy it. But make sure it is for the right reasons.

Well said!

[The Joker]

Get the Daytona.

[TSW]

Daytona!

[dysondiver]

buy what you actually like ,,, not what your head tells you , buy with your heart.

[imono]

There are so many good things said about Daytona.

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by SaddleSC

My best advice would be to buy the watch that you personally like the best and not allow factors like perceived value, false demand and marketing hype influence your decision.

If you love the Daytona, by all means buy it. But make sure it is for the right reasons.

Exactly.
dP

[AMCK87]

The SS Daytona was my first purchase in the Rolex brand and I must say, it was the best decision I believe I could have made. Regardless of the value/hype/investment perspective, it was the watch that I was most in love with and even today, some 15 months later, I smile everytime I put it on. Pick the watch that gives you that feeling and dive in. You will not regret it.

[bmw550i]

Thank you for all the comments. I might not have been clear in my initial post. I'm not as concerned with resale value or appreciation, merely interested in ease of trade if I wanted to swap things around down the road. I have always admired this watch and intended to get one at some point, I just didn't think the opportunity would come up so quickly and trying it on just blew me away.

I spoke with my AD and they won't hold it for me even with deposit, they said they already have other interest in it (possibly sales tactic but whatever). I'm going there later today to take another look at it compared with the Explorers. Wish me luck.

[Hazelnut]

Originally Posted by bmw550i

I tried it on and absolutely fell in love.

There you go. Get the Daytona!

[caryyee]

I like the Daytona so much that I bought 2 of them! Go for what you like, go for what will give you the most joy.

[nick c]

Daytona

[HL65]

Get the Daytona!