Please help and advise deciding on my first Daytona

[4therightcause]

Ok so I have managed to get myself truly confused in this process and TRF members I would appreciate advice, opinions, and insights.

This all started recently when I decided I was going to reward myself with my first Daytona. I started out saying a 116520 black dial in the $9,000-$10,000 range would be perfect..... well the problem is the darn 116500 C is just so stunning I can't take my eyes off of it. I saw someone sell a used one in the classifieds that went for around $14,500 but I don't think I can count on that deal coming up again. So looks like I am closer to 16k this brings up another dilemma because now I am in the range of a used 116515 (black strap chocolate dial) which is my grail watch and of course also has said stunning ceramic bezel..... to complicate things more is that nagging question of affordability. Can I purchase the later 2 YES, can I AFFORD them is a little more debatable. I am also curious on members thoughts on resale? Am I incorrect in thinking it is odd that a 116500 and a 116515 are close in price? I would think in the future the solid gold watch is going to be worth more?

I sincerely appreciate your thoughts.

[Bigsykedaddy]

I personally wouldn't pay the resale price for the Daytona C so I would just get on a list and wait.

[LuminousMaximus]

Aaron, can I call you Aaron...It seems that at least in the more distant past, that Steel Daytona's went up in value. However, the Gold looks to have kept their value...

It's a hard call, but I would get the 116520 and wait till the Daytona C's go down to at least, MSRP...

Then in a couple of years, since the 116520 keeps it value then trade up to a Ceramic...

The Strap on the Gold for me is a no go because I'm not so proper...

[GMT13]

Let's say they are all the same price - which one would you buy if you were not allowed to flip?
Go with the answer to that question.
If you wait, you wait, but you will get what you want.

Also, strongly recommend going to try them on.
Personally, I don't love strapped 5&6 digit Daytona's, but 4-digits on straps are great.
And the opposite for the most part, love new style bracelets.

[gossbeau]

So many other choices for 16k...

[4therightcause]

Luminous Maximus - Please feel free to call me Aaron, and thank you I appreciate the solid advice. Coincidentally I was born in Palo Alto and spent many summers at the boardwalk in Santa Cruz. Such an amazing place and unfortunately I have not been back there in almost 20 years.

GMT13 - If they were all the same price and I could not flip I would by the rose gold chocolate dial on the strap. I like rose gold and black strap it is my favorite combination.

[goog53]

If you personally like the RG with strap the best then I think your choice is simple... Save just a bit more and look for a preowned one when timing is right.

[1William]

I would purchase the best example of the 116520 that I could find with box and papers. This should be around 10-10.5 if a cash deal. This is a great watch and you should not lose much, if any on a trade down the road. Wait for the Daytona-C to adjust downward in the Gray Market to get closer to the MSRP and then trade if you should like. I would not purchase a PM Rolex on the strap as I think a big part for me about the watch is the great bracelet. Pictures of former watches.

[Chiboy]

Good morning Aaron. I went through a slightly similar dilemma. Got on the DayC waitlist in August after wearing a DJ for 30+ years. Came here and learned a lot but got a little carried away. Started wearing of the waitlist and began looking at used gold Paul Newman dials on a strap. But, I realized I like wearing my watch all day every day, and a bracelet is the way to go for me for that kind of watch. But I also was drawn to the "I can get a gold Daytona used for almost the same price as a new DayC" argument. I just decided I'm pretty much a one watch guy, and a gold Daytona on a strap is not *my* one watch.

I ended up trying on a platinum one for kicks and the rest is history -- not for everyone, but worked for me. I'm still waiting for the DayC (white) to come in.

Good luck and make sure you get what you really want, and not just what you can talk yourself into!

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by LuminousMaximus

Aaron, can I call you Aaron...It seems that at least in the more distant past, that Steel Daytona's went up in value. However, the Gold looks to have kept their value...

It's a hard call, but I would get the 116520 and wait till the Daytona C's go down to at least, MSRP...

Then in a couple of years, since the 116520 keeps it value then trade up to a Ceramic...

The Strap on the Gold for me is a no go because I'm not so proper...

Originally Posted by 1William

I would purchase the best example of the 116520 that I could find with box and papers. This should be around 10-10.5 if a cash deal. This is a great watch and you should not lose much, if any on a trade down the road. Wait for the Daytona-C to adjust downward in the Gray Market to get closer to the MSRP and then trade if you should like. I would not purchase a PM Rolex on the strap as I think a big part for me about the watch is the great bracelet. Pictures of former watches.

Good advice guys...my thoughts as well.

[AK797]

Go for your grail if you are starting to move into that price range. I certainly wouldn't pay a huge premium for the D500.

[rollee1]

For any watch, I go with the highest priced one that you can afford first, and forget about resale because that's the watch I want.
Aaron go with the one that sings to you, the 116515 is truly magnificent and is a class above the ss models.
The ss Daytona is highly inflated, unless you buy it at retail $12k. Can be had for another 10-15 years down the road.

I had an Eureka moment recently, because I find myself buying similar looking Rolex watches over and over. I decide to leave Rolex and go for what makes me happy, a simple Patek Philippe.

[4therightcause]

Thank you all for the advice and opinions I truly appreciate them, and the insights are actually very helpful. I have divided I am not willing to pay the premium for the ceramic and patience is not my strong suit so waiting is out. The 116515 I love, but I wear my watches daily and between boating and diving I can be a little hard on them also I think I need to do more to earn the 116515. My first Daytona will be the 116520 look forward to posting pictures when I get it. Thank you again.

[Louis (Toronto)]

Originally Posted by 4therightcause

Thank you all for the advice and opinions I truly appreciate them, and the insights are actually very helpful. I have divided I am not willing to pay the premium for the ceramic and patience is not my strong suit so waiting is out. The 116515 I love, but I wear my watches daily and between boating and diving I can be a little hard on them also I think I need to do more to earn the 116515. My first Daytona will be the 116520 look forward to posting pictures when I get it. Thank you again.

Solid choice! Looking forward to incoming pics !