Finding my first Rolex - Split between Daytona 116500LN and Datejust II

[hjsohn]

Hell guys,

First time poster on this forum and was hoping to seek some advice from Rolex veterans on this forum. I am looking to purchase my first Rolex and have been shopping/learning about the various types of watches at local ADs and online past few months.

My first choice is the 116500LN Daytona. I really fell in with this watch at my first sight, but it seems very unlikely that I will be able to obtain one close to MSRP with current inflation in the gray market and lack of availability.

My second choice is Datejust II 41mm in stainless steel and with white gold bezel. I thought the design was clean, timeless and not too overbearing.

I would really like to obtain the 116500LN Daytona if at all possible and wish seek some advice regarding that.

1) Anyone have good recommendations on how to searching my own 116500LN Daytona? I would really like to obtain one close to MSRP if at all possible, but it looks like I would have to pony up 1-2k above MSRP.

2) Since I don't have any personal AD connections, it seems like only buying option is likely through TRF. I would appreciate any advice on conducting transaction on TRF and finding a reliable seller on this forum.

Thank you for reading this long post and thank you in advance!

[weeone]

I won't be of any help finding a Daytona but I would suggest waiting until you do. The DJ seems a second choice and I would hold out for what you really want.

[BigCFM]

The 116500LN is one of the most sought after references worldwide. I think 1-2k above MSRP isn't too bad if it means getting your hands on one now, otherwise it's anything from 2 years northwards on a waiting list depending on where you live of course.

[adawil2002]

Go with the Datejust, great classic watch. The Daytona 500LN is very nice but paying over MSRP isn't worth the added premium. I'd wait on the Daytona until the hype and prices settle down.

[slickrick68]

Why not a 116520 until you source the ceramic?

[regnant]

Welcome,
Daytona is an upscale model to DJ II you should be insisted on finding one if you can't afford to buy two. Trusted Sellers is a good source besides some sites Chrono24

[Marcus09]

i'll go for the Daytona all the way. Datejust 2 might change in 2017 or later with a newer movement like they did with the Datejust 41.
Daytona 500 was just released in 2016, so it's here to stay for a long time

[melrob1]

Let me ask you this........If the Daytona had an MSRP of 14,500 would you still want to purchase it. The fact of the matter is many of us assumed it would cost that or more before it came out. If your answer is yes then buy it in here for the premium. At this point you will be waiting years to buy at MSRP and in that time I can almost guarantee you Rolex will have a price increase. I was lucky not to pay a premium but if I didn't get it by mid 2017 I would have. You won't regret it!

[GB-man]

Your best bet is making some offers to the members here selling them. Do some research and make sure they have strong references and feedback. Good luck.

Alternatively, sit down with a pint and cold call ADs for an hour. You might get lucky who knows.

[Racerdj]

Always go with your first choice! You will be very glad you did.

[malarky_hk]

Give current prices, you'll need to pony up more than 1-2k.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by melrob1

Let me ask you this........If the Daytona had an MSRP of 14,500 would you still want to purchase it. The fact of the matter is many of us assumed it would cost that or more before it came out. If your answer is yes then buy it in here for the premium. At this point you will be waiting years to buy at MSRP and in that time I can almost guarantee you Rolex will have a price increase. I was lucky not to pay a premium but if I didn't get it by mid 2017 I would have. You won't regret it!

That is a valid point, but I imagine I am not alone in feeling better about paying high entertainment ticket prices or watch prices if that is what they are marked as, but feeling less good about buying from a scalper or on the gray market if that is what the market will bear.

Perhaps not logical, in the strictest Spock sense, but the way I view things.

[hjsohn]

Thank you all everyone for your input. I think I am leaning toward buying a 116520 then changing the SS bezel to a ceramic bezel.

Originally Posted by slickrick68

Why not a 116520 until you source the ceramic?

If I were to obtain an authentic ceramic bezel in the future, would I just go to an AD to have the bezel changed?

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by hjsohn

Thank you all everyone for your input. I think I am leaning toward buying a 116520 then changing the SS bezel to a ceramic bezel.




If I were to obtain an authentic ceramic bezel in the future, would I just go to an AD to have the bezel changed?

No...you need to re-think that plan. It doesn't work that way. If you want the ceramic bezel, you will need to purchase the D500. Sorry.

[melrob1]

Originally Posted by hjsohn

Thank you all everyone for your input. I think I am leaning toward buying a 116520 then changing the SS bezel to a ceramic bezel.




If I were to obtain an authentic ceramic bezel in the future, would I just go to an AD to have the bezel changed?

No to going to happen. Not a oem rolex one anyway. Rolex has strict rules against this. Maybe you can find non oem. IMO it's not the same watch. I've owned the prior and own the C, totally different on the wrist and I think the sub dials also make a big difference

[hjsohn]

This is the exactly reason why I am posting in this forum, since I am oblivious to-do's and not-do's. It looks like my only options are to call up all the local ADs to get on their list or to buy now with a premium price tag if I were to go with the Daytona. Decisions... decisions......

[sco]

Search and search for the Daytona. They are out there.... good Luck

[LBC4225]

Get the 116500... Go into your AD, put down $5k, and get on the wait list.
This way your AD knows you are a serious client and aren't sitting on 9 other waiting lists. I did this with mine back in April 2016 and the watch arrived in 7 months later in late November.

I would be willing to bet that 75% of folks that are put on a "waiting list" didn't secure any form of earnest payment with an AD....

Also, I would feel that this could potentially lock you into a current MSRP price and keep you from paying future increased pricing, but I would confirm that with your AD first...

Just my 2 cents.
Good luck.

[Flywheel]

Pick up the phone and start calling ADs in remote areas, asking if they have a 500. When you find one, give them a credit card number to hold it, jump on a plane and go get it. They're out there.

[hjsohn]

Originally Posted by Flywheel

Pick up the phone and start calling ADs in remote areas, asking if they have a 500. When you find one, give them a credit card number to hold it, jump on a plane and go get it. They're out there.

I am going to compile a list of ADs over the weekend and try to find ADs that carry the 500s. I will let you know what happens!

[ap1]

No contest - D500 - get to work

[Lordofrolex]

daytona for sure

[melman]

Originally Posted by slickrick68

Why not a 116520 until you source the ceramic?

I did exactly this and I really don't know now if I would give up my 116520 for the 116500. It's awesome. More than likely I will end up owning both when I get my hands on a ceramic.

[hjsohn]

Originally Posted by melman

I did exactly this and I really don't know now if I would give up my 116520 for the 116500. It's awesome. I more than likely will own both when I get my hands on a ceramic.

After this suggestion in this thread, I thought about it. If I was long time owner of that had 116520, I would've definitely done what you have done. But as a first time owner, if I bought an 116520 under warranty then swapped out the bezel, wouldn't that void the warranty?

[toucan]

Originally Posted by hjsohn

After this suggestion in this thread, I thought about it. If I was long time owner of that had 116520, I would've definitely done what you have done. But as a first time owner, if I bought an 116520 under warranty then swapped out the bezel, wouldn't that void the warranty?

You cannot swap out the bezels. They are unchangeable on both models.Its either one or the other. If you have the cash and really
want the Daytona C contact a trusted seller and pay the premium. If you own the watch for a long time the premium becomes negligible

[melman]

Originally Posted by hjsohn

After this suggestion in this thread, I thought about it. If I was long time owner of that had 116520, I would've definitely done what you have done. But as a first time owner, if I bought an 116520 under warranty then swapped out the bezel, wouldn't that void the warranty?

I guess what I was trying to say is that the 116520's stainless bezel is very nice. It's a different look obviously than the ceramic but no less awesome. Ive seen both together side by side and I can't really say one is nicer than the other.