Daytona 116506 (PT), or 116509 (WG-blue)?

[winedemonium]

For a very long time I owned the white dial 116520. I bought that watch new from an AD in 2011, and sold it in 2017 (ouch!). It was my daily wear for most of those years. Of course that watch is in stainless steel, not a weight that completely disappears, but compared to these next two possibilities, very much so...

It's funny how when you sell something you have known and enjoyed for a long time you miss it, right? I'm sure we've all experienced that. But I have also realised that it is not enough to look at pictures of watches, or even to try them on. To really know how you connect (or not) with a watch, you must own it and wear it.

When the 116500LN came out I knew I wanted one of those. But the story of getting one of these is well known. In some markets its been possible to get one - after a wait, by being on the waitlist. But where I live, that has meant nothing, and as of May 2018, ADs are saying "no chance at all", or "only for VVIPs who spend a lot of money with us." Well, I do have a couple of high end purchases on the horizon, so maybe I'll "qualify", but at the same time, some of these deliberately-hard-to-get watches end up making me feel a bit frustrated and resentful. So I have put the 116500LN out of my mind for the time being.

Recently though I was browsing through the current Daytona models on the Rolex website to see what else there was and I came across the white gold version with the blue dial. That really caught my eye. I'd never really been a fan of Rolex's choice of Roman numerals or arabic numerals on the gold models. Each to their own, I know! The little "pip" appliced indices on my old 116520 seemed right, and the new blue dial on the 116509 has those. That deep blue appeals to me, and the sportier treatment of the dial the gold versions are known for also seems no too over the top (to my taste anyway). But I have yet to try this version in the metal.

However, today I was in an AD who has in stock the 116506 (with chocolate-ringed sub-dials, and regular 'pips' - no diamonds). I tried the watch on.

I have to say, this is the first time I have tried on a solid platinum watch on platinum bracelet. The weight is immediately obvious. I guess this piece is for alternating wrists and working out with!

That said, the comfort of the oysters bracelet is well known and all that mass seems reasonably well balanced - far more so than having that platinum watch head on a leather strap might I would guess. So I sat there admiring the watch and wondered if the feeling of that mass - balanced as it might be - ever really disappears, or rather, disappears enough not to be a drag.

The platinum Daytonas are heavier than the gold ones, but perhaps not by so much that the difference matters. In other words, if steel feels fine, but platinum doesn't, then perhaps the white gold one wouldn't either, if you see what I mean? In my view I just won't know without owning for a period of time. The 'rent' is really the entry cost less the eventual sale income. While these pieces are expensive that "rent" if often reasonable. And who knows, perhaps one of these will become a longer term keeper.

In the end the aesthetics become a deeply personal choice. (I'm sure there are many Daytona lovers here who would choose those sportier arabic numeral Daytonas - I think Rolex has been good at covering quite a wide range of appeal with this model). I know I really like that ice blue dial with chocolate brown sub-dials and bezel. I'm sure I will know how I feel about that blue dial on the 2016< white gold version (on white gold bracelet).

Some other considerations on my mind as I ponder these two pieces...
- the PTD will tie up about double the capital the WGD would. (I mostly don't put additional cash into watches - I circulate funds by flipping).
- I have the perception that the PTD might scratch less, or be less obviously scratched than the WGD (owners I'm sure can set me straight here!).
- the WGD with the dial variant I am looking at is the current model, so it costs more than the older version of essentially the same watch. I wonder that Rolex might release a cerachrom bezel WGD in 2019 or 2020 (phasing out the metal bezels altogether), and this white gold bezel version might take a larger than average hit in value. Pure speculation I know...
- you may laugh, and you may think this ironic given my choices here (!), but I feel self-conscious about "blingy" watches. My first Rolex was a two-tone GMT Master II Ceramic I bought new in 2010. I really loved that watch, but felt self-conscious about the yellow gold component when wearing it with short sleeves. I wished I had bought the all steel version. I did feel fine wearing my steel 116520 Daytona, despite it being an iconic Rolex piece, fairly well recognised. But I don't think I would buy a yellow gold or rose gold Daytona (I only want a Daytona on bracelet), because the metal attracts a attention - as much as I think they look fantastic. White gold has a slight honey gold glow to in certain light, but is not as obviously gold as the yellow or rose variants, and platinum has a brilliant silvery look that makes steel look dull and grey, but again, from a distance it could pass as steel to the less initiated. (I perhaps I'm fooling myself here!).

I especially look forward to hearing from owners of either of these two watches, though I think all solid precious metal Daytona owner experiences would be valuable to me - especially if you, like me, are a bit shy about bling.

Maybe the answer is simply that I must wait for a steel 16500. But I am curious about the 116506 PT and the 116509 WG blue dial. I'd love to hear your experiences.

It may be some weeks or even months before I pull the trigger, but I will update here once I've tried on the white gold piece.

Thanks.

[kauffee]

Perspective of a SS Daytona owner here...

The platinum Daytona is amazing and if I could justify spending the money that would be the Daytona I'd go for. The weight is incredible and the ice blue dial is beautiful and signifies "platinum."

While the WG with blue dial is undeniably beautiful, the lack of ceramic bezel makes it a nonstarter for me. I think it would show too much wear and tear for my tastes.

The other option for you, if the 116500 is really what you want, is just to buy one at gray market price and see how that works. You'll take less of a hit on the flip than if you bought a PT on WG Daytona and the itch will be scratched.

[ap1]

Food for thought.

I had the 506 - flipped with 7k loss

If you way overpaid for grey D500 you may only destroy 1-2k of loss (if flip) ....if that’s what you really want. I’ve also had 509 panda. I prefer the ceramics.

I’m trying to find my compromise - a pair of 500s and the 519 on oysterflex. My AD has YET to receive even one. BOO

[Chiboy]

I have a few thoughts.

1) The 506 is only noticeably heavy when you first put it on, or when you think about it. As heavy as it is -- I think it's over a 1/2 pound -- it melts away on your wrist. I do think you need to have little play in it, at least I do, so if you like to wear a watch loose, it may not be for you.

2) I completely agree about the Arabic numbers on a Daytona. There just isn't room for it and it looks busy and crowded to me.

3) I love the 509 with WG and blue dial. I doubt it will ever be made with a ceramic bezel because neither black nor blue would look right with it, IMO. I have never had a Daytona with metal bezel, but if it's as much of a scratch magnet as they say, it may not look so great over time. It does look fantastic to me when it's new, which is the only way I have ever seen it.

Good luck with your decision!

[Koala]

In the past I've considered buying a daytona, both the steel and wg versions, only to try them on and feel underwhelmed by them. Scratching the metal bezel didn't even register as a potential issue because I couldn't get past the size of them.

I know I'm not alone in that thinking, which is what I attribute the mass appeal of the new ceramic daytonas to. Scratch resistance aside, The SS ceramic Daytonas are the first ones that both physically measure up to the size/presence standards I've been accustomed to w/ modern watches as well as being a lot more affordable than the already in existance platinum Daytonas that have sported ceramic bezels for some time now.

[strettyend]

I don’t have any experience with the PT Daytona but have a YG one and absolutely love the extra heft compared to steel. If you are in a position to get a PT Daytona no question in my mind that’s the one you should get.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

I have a few thoughts.

1) The 506 is only noticeably heavy when you first put it on, or when you think about it. As heavy as it is -- I think it's over a 1/2 pound -- it melts away on your wrist. I do think you need to have little play in it, at least I do, so if you like to wear a watch loose, it may not be for you.

2) I completely agree about the Arabic numbers on a Daytona. There just isn't room for it and it looks busy and crowded to me.

3) I love the 509 with WG and blue dial. I doubt it will ever be made with a ceramic bezel because neither black nor blue would look right with it, IMO. I have never had a Daytona with metal bezel, but if it's as much of a scratch magnet as they say, it may not look so great over time. It does look fantastic to me when it's new, which is the only way I have ever seen it.

Good luck with your decision!

I agree with these points - the weight falls away, Arabs are a little busy on the small dial, and the blue dial is really nice on the WG. I'm not a fan of the metal bezel so I prefer a ceramic bezel, and the WG OF is my top colour combo choice of Daytona.

[jschmidtdmd]

I own the PT Daytona with diamond markers. It checks all the boxes imo and is the only Daytona I need or want. The weight is perfect and I agree with the others- it does melt away on your wrist and never seems too heavy.

It’s also under the radar for a diamond marker watch. Solid purchase.

[DocHorton]

Just food for thought....you can get a platinum DD40 plus a DC500 for just a few thousand more than the platinum Daytona.

If it were me I would go that route.

[sensui]

I have both the 116506 and 116509 (steel panda dial). Platinum is totally different on wrist in terms of presence IMO....as far as loss I think you should try to buy them grey/discounted from AD or used to minimize the amount. Don't buy these watches thinking to flip imo....they're keepers if you like them...and they are far more awesome than the 116500/116520 (that I own as well).

[drgoro]

Pt Daytona is the answer, once you wear one the rest become a distant memory!

[drgoro]

Originally Posted by jschmidtdmd

I own the PT Daytona with diamond markers. It checks all the boxes imo and is the only Daytona I need or want. The weight is perfect and I agree with the others- it does melt away on your wrist and never seems too heavy.

It’s also under the radar for a diamond marker watch. Solid purchase.

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by ap1

I had the 506 - flipped with 7k loss

Ouch!!!

[Fany]

Only if that’s your choice else, thery are just so many other more befitting, so just try looking around and I'm not saying the Pt Daytona isint perfect enough.

[winedemonium]

Thanks to all for all the advice here.

As a former long-term owner of the 116520, I know from experience just how much the metal bezel scratches - a lot. But so too the polished centre links, and for at least, all the modern solid sports clasps on Rolex scratch a lot too (I'm left handed and wear the watch on my left wrist so I'm perhaps especially bad with that). Of course white gold will scratch and stuff more than steel.

So, a follow up question for owners of Rolexes on white gold oyster bracelets, is the colour consistent below the surface or is there a plate surface? I'm presuming that with the slight honey tinge to Rolex's white gold, that its the same colour right through. In which case I really don't mind the scratching. In the long run it adds some character. (I also have some vintage watches and like this aspect of their ageing).

Thanks to you guys for your comments on the additional heft and weight of the PT and WG models melting away. Putting the PT model on the wrist for the first time - the sense of the additional weight is remarkable.


Anyway, I've yet to see the blue dial WG model I'm interested in. I'll report back when I've seen it and tried it on.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by winedemonium

Thanks to all for all the advice here.

As a former long-term owner of the 116520, I know from experience just how much the metal bezel scratches - a lot. But so too the polished centre links, and for at least, all the modern solid sports clasps on Rolex scratch a lot too (I'm left handed and wear the watch on my left wrist so I'm perhaps especially bad with that). Of course white gold will scratch and stuff more than steel.

So, a follow up question for owners of Rolexes on white gold oyster bracelets, is the colour consistent below the surface or is there a plate surface? I'm presuming that with the slight honey tinge to Rolex's white gold, that its the same colour right through. In which case I really don't mind the scratching. In the long run it adds some character. (I also have some vintage watches and like this aspect of their ageing).

Thanks to you guys for your comments on the additional heft and weight of the PT and WG models melting away. Putting the PT model on the wrist for the first time - the sense of the additional weight is remarkable.


Anyway, I've yet to see the blue dial WG model I'm interested in. I'll report back when I've seen it and tried it on.

No worries about the WG surfaces, and the weights do fall away after a while, altho WG is obviously easier to handle than platinum over the longer day.

[winedemonium]

Well, last night I got a message from an AD that the WG "509" was in, so this evening I went in to take a look. They still had the PT "506" in stock so I was able to try the relative weight also. It's really remarkable how much heavier that is compared to the WG. I could imagine getting used to it, but I could also imagine it feeling rather achy / heavy at the end of a long day wearing it, in the some way that the difference between one lens and another can make such a difference on a camera after a few hours of shooting - when on paper the difference isn't huge. Still, I take the "platona" owners at their word that it 'melts away'....

I particularly liked the play of the blue dial. I own the F.P. Journe Chronometre Bleu, which has a striking mirror-chrome blue dial that can go from very deep blue to a vibrant metallic blue mirror like effect that has the numerals "floating" off the dial. It's a great watch. The colour shift effect on the 506 is not as remarkable, but it adds a lot of interest to an already interesting and subtley "layered" dial. By that I mean that at first glance it is blue, with the standard "pip" hour markers. But as the light shifts so does the blue, and the the red highlights around the registers, etc, either appear, or not, depending on the light also.

The WG metal is also very nice. Very subtly warm, compared to the silver brilliance of PT, or the soft cool grey of steel. Now compared to my all-brushed Explorer, even the "500" Daytona in steel looks a little bling. The high polish of Rolex's treatment of the centre links creates quite some pop already. I think to the average glance from afar, the pop from the WG or PT is not dramatically higher than high polish steel. To the trained eye yes, and side by side, yes. But what I like about PT and WG is that it's really for the wearer to know (and feel), rather than for show (especially of course compared to RG and YG).

No doubt the Platona is the daddy. The colour matched lacquered registers match the cerachrom bezel beautifully, and that chocolate brown works well with the ice green/blue dial. It's a sort of chocolate mint - warm and cool in tone at the same time.

But I wonder if the 509 might not be more my watch.

Well, in between my opening post and this one, my long-awaited Credor Eichi II arrived at another dealer, so I had to go settle the balance - a couple of months earlier than anticipated. So I will have to hold off on the Daytona decision for now. I'm basically consolidating a whole lot of mid-range pieces into a small number of "end game" type pieces, and a few more will need to go before the Daytona is mine.

Thanks again for your comments on this decision.

[rw2008]

Can't go wrong either way.

The ceramic pushes the 506 over the op IMO.