Which Do You Think Is A Better Watch?

[emersm]

Both great watches, but the fit and feel for me, gives the edge to the Daytona.




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[Lesnerelli23]

I am one who is also very torn by this question.

I’m not really into the panda Daytona but I do like the black dial quite a bit. Ive only ever handled the TT with the white dial and I was shocked by its lightweight and slim case. Also, I was in love with the Zenith Daytona for a long time and wish I could have afforded one when they were selling at a discount!

The speedmaster is beautiful… except those awful bracelets that omega keeps putting out. I have a Speedy Racing (40mm) and I took that bracelet off and sold it the second the watch showed up!

This is why I’m torn though. I prefer the aesthetics of the Speedy dial and case but the dimensions of the Daytona are better for me. I also hate every omega bracelet I’ve encountered and I love an oyster bracelet!


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[painexpert]

Originally Posted by Dave O

I like both. Still waiting on a PM and SS Daytona. I hope to be able to get at least one of the two this year from my AD. I have a TT Daytona but not the same as the PM or SS.

I really like my Speedy as others have said it is the most legible watch I own. And last week I finally decided to go grey and purchase a Snoopy. This is the first watch that I purchased through the grey market and paid over MSRP for it. I would never do this for a Daytona, but had to be realistic as there was simply no way I was going to be able to get the Snoopy without going grey. It's a beautiful watch, and just love it. But again, I love the Daytona's as well.

The Snoopy is a beautiful watch but the grey market are asking twice the price of MSRP!!!!
!!!!!

[Rollieo]

Daytona hands down.

Not a fan of the vintage look of the Speedmaster. All the iterations of the Speedmaster dilutes the watch too

[Oat Willy]

The Daytona sports a superior movement, column wheel vertical clutch vs the speedy cams system. and yes it does make a diff, my brand new speedy does the jumping headstart glitch on the stopwatch function, and does it often enough that it's more than just the rare occurrence. To me that's an inexcusable flaw, and Omega is irresponsible for not making this iconic watch with a reliable column wheel vertical clutch system. Having said that I do own one LOL. However, when I have a need for a reliable chronograph function I wear my Breitling Navitimer w/the B01 movement. I'd never put on the speedy if I plan on needing to use the chrono features that day

[dba]

Usually I vote Rolex over other brands. If it's the choice between a Speedmaster and a Daytona, I'll go with the Speedmaster. I hate the hype over the Daytona.

[Dave O]

Originally Posted by painexpert

The Snoopy is a beautiful watch but the grey market are asking twice the price of MSRP!!!!
!!!!!

Used to be, but not anymore. The grey market has really changed on this watch over the past few months. I only paid $5k over MSRP (from a reputable dealer) if I throw in the tax I would have had to pay if bought new at an AD. This was a BNIB watch with the warranty card dated December 2023. However, if production of the watch stops soon as is reported the price could go back up again - which is another factor why I decided to finally pull the trigger.

[Joearch]

I bought a Speedmaster a few years ago. The fit, finish and feel on my wrist made me feel like it was inferior. It only lasted a few months. I continue to like the Daytona.

[MSL]

Speedmaster for all the reasons above but in the present climate don't feel safe flexing a Daytona.

[omar-rye]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

The Daytona sports a superior movement, column wheel vertical clutch vs the speedy cams system. and yes it does make a diff, my brand new speedy does the jumping headstart glitch on the stopwatch function, and does it often enough that it's more than just the rare occurrence. To me that's an inexcusable flaw, and Omega is irresponsible for not making this iconic watch with a reliable column wheel vertical clutch system. Having said that I do own one LOL. However, when I have a need for a reliable chronograph function I wear my Breitling Navitimer w/the B01 movement. I'd never put on the speedy if I plan on needing to use the chrono features that day

What's on the schedule on the days you need a chrono?

[Moondoggy]

I would say the speedmaster by far however as others have said there are way to many references, saying that over all the speedy is a way better movement.

[nighthawk77]

Tough call - I own the Speedy but would like to add a Daytona in the future.

My only issue with the Speedy is the WR - with two young kids, the Speedy is the only watch I give any thought to in terms of 'is it safe'. Whether that be at bathtime, vacation by the pool or beach etc, I do find myself leaving it behind/not wearing it or taking it off occasionally. I don't think this would be the case for the Daytona and it's screw down crowns. On the flip side, Speedy is great for mixing up on straps, and also most legible of the two.

I think both can exist in a collection, but if I had to choose I'd go Daytona.

[vitadine]

Daytona is better

Automatic movement vs. hand wound,
better bracelet and clasp by miles,
better size @ 40mm and thinner
100m vs. 50mm water resistance

[karleone]

Originally Posted by vitadine

Daytona is better

Automatic movement vs. hand wound,
better bracelet and clasp by miles,
better size @ 40mm and thinner
100m vs. 50mm water resistance

You said everything! Better finished and build quality too

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by karleone

You said everything! Better finished and build quality too

Rolex is not higher build quality though. Their dial and hand quality control is quite bad.

Many prefer design elements of the Rolex but better should be quantified if you're saying quality and finish.

Milled oyster bracelets are available on micro brand homage pieces that are 1:1 for less than the sales tax on Rolex. The design is iconic. The heft in the hand. The 3 links. The beak closure clasp. But the oyster bracelet quality is very easily reproducible for a small amount of money.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Rolex is not higher build quality though. Their dial and hand quality control is quite bad.

Many prefer design elements of the Rolex but better should be quantified if you're saying quality and finish.

Milled oyster bracelets are available on micro brand homage pieces that are 1:1 for less than the sales tax on Rolex. The design is iconic. The heft in the hand. The 3 links. The beak closure clasp. But the oyster bracelet quality is very easily reproducible for a small amount of money.

OP only mentioned Speedmaster so I guessed the standard professional speedmaster. If you compare it to a Daytona the bracelet feels much cheaper (and I am talking about the new speedy bracelet which was a huge improvement vs the old one).
Now Ed White like yours vs the Daytona yeah I think it’s a fair comparison with comparable finish and build quality

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Speedmaster.

Especially the Soyuz and upcoming white dial variant worn by Daniel Craig. Or any white dial variant.

I owned a speedmaster for years and only ever used the chronograph when my hands got fidgety.

Never really noticed the supposed flaws of the horizontal clutch vs vertical column wheel movement. As long as you service it when required, I reckon both types of chronographs can be kept running perpetually.

The new bracelet also has a 2mm on the fly micro adjust so that’s a nice bonus. Supremely comfortable too. IMHO, it Doesn’t seem to lack the solidity / build quality of the Daytona as others have claimed.


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[Wilco68]

After looking at the pictures above, I nearly posted that the clarity of the Speedmaster might edge it.

Then I had a completely immature ‘comedy’ moment about the 12 o’clock marker, which I now can’t unsee…..!

[padi56]

Originally Posted by dba

Usually I vote Rolex over other brands. If it's the choice between a Speedmaster and a Daytona, I'll go with the Speedmaster. I hate the hype over the Daytona.

Have to agree about the Daytona Hype,and I am sure if it was not for the hype prices and desirability for the Daytona would not be as great. But hype sells watches today as many buy the hype to wear it.

[Cru Jones]

Both great watches. But I know that if I bought a Speedmaster, I would still maybe want a Daytona, and if I buy a Daytona, I will probably not lust after a Speedmaster. That’s just me. YMMV.

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by padi56

Have to agree about the Daytona Hype,and I am sure if it was not for the hype prices and desirability for the Daytona would not be as great. But hype sells watches today as many buy the hype to wear it.

25 years of Daytona hype is a lot of hype! ;-)

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Wilco68

After looking at the pictures above, I nearly posted that the clarity of the Speedmaster might edge it.

Then I had a completely immature ‘comedy’ moment about the 12 o’clock marker, which I now can’t unsee…..!

Similar to the dot over 90 this classic nod to Speedmaster heritage is referred to as balls on 12.

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

25 years of Daytona hype is a lot of hype! ;-)

It is simply an enduring hype, a phase these Daytona people are going through.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

Both great watches. But I know that if I bought a Speedmaster, I would still maybe want a Daytona, and if I buy a Daytona, I will probably not lust after a Speedmaster. That’s just me. YMMV.

That’s really well said.

It’s a good thing there are a variety of brands for everyone to enjoy

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by Oat Willy

The Daytona sports a superior movement, column wheel vertical clutch vs the speedy cams system. and yes it does make a diff, my brand new speedy does the jumping headstart glitch on the stopwatch function, and does it often enough that it's more than just the rare occurrence. To me that's an inexcusable flaw, and Omega is irresponsible for not making this iconic watch with a reliable column wheel vertical clutch system. Having said that I do own one LOL. However, when I have a need for a reliable chronograph function I wear my Breitling Navitimer w/the B01 movement. I'd never put on the speedy if I plan on needing to use the chrono features that day

Let’s not forget the other “flaw” between the Daytona and the Speedmaster when it comes to timing.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=925716

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Let’s not forget the other “flaw” between the Daytona and the Speedmaster when it comes to timing.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=925716

Then there's the 4 Hz Daytona movement that advances the Chrono hand 8 times per second such that the hand never lines up on any of the outer track minor 1/5 second indexes, only the major indexes.

In the 321 the 2.5 Hz movement advances the hand 5 times per second which is identical to the outer track 1/5 second minor indexes.

In the 3861 the 3 Hz movement is also matched perfectly with 3 minor ticks per second in the outer track.

Good attention to detail by Omega.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Then there's the 4 Hz Daytona movement that advances the Chrono hand 8 times per second such that the hand never lines up on any of the outer track minor 1/5 second indexes, only the major indexes.

In the 321 the 2.5 Hz movement advances the hand 5 times per second which is identical to the outer track 1/5 second minor indexes.

In the 3861 the 3 Hz movement is also matched perfectly with 3 minor ticks per second in the outer track.

Good attention to detail by Omega.

Indeed

Not that many of us will ever use the chrono to that extent, (or at all), but nevertheless it’s an important distinction

[Cru Jones]

Originally Posted by brandrea

That’s really well said.

It’s a good thing there are a variety of brands for everyone to enjoy

Exactly this. With the Speedmaster and Daytona, one cannot go wrong.

[Kenny G]

I prefer the Daytona by a mile….which watch is “better” though, is subjective.

To me, the best one is simply the one you like the most regardless of other opinions.

[omar-rye]

The 4 Digit Daytona and the Original Speedy Pro are my favorite watches of all time. Only one of them has maintained the exact same look. So, if we’re discussing modern offerings, I’d choose the Speedy 3861. If I made a list of pros and cons for both pieces, I suspect they would equal out to be the same. Now, if you are asking about the Daytona and the 321, I would say the 321 would win in a pros and cons list.

[subcsteve]

love my speedy it really is a great watch but.....hate winding it! After a few days it actually hurts my delicate fingers trying to wind the bugger and can't understand why its so stiff?