Acquiring a Daytona Meteorite

[tstimepieces]

I already have a 18k yellow gold daytona and rose gold daytona but really fancying a white gold model with the meteorite face on a leather strap. Im not after a brand new model I am more wanting one on abit of a budget. Ive seen a few pricewise they are fantastic but are 2003-2005 models. I know very little about models of this age. Is there anything to look out for or the downsides to a model at this age?

thanks tim

[padi56]

Originally Posted by tims1

I already have a 18k yellow gold daytona and rose gold daytona but really fancying a white gold model with the meteorite face on a leather strap. Im not after a brand new model I am more wanting one on abit of a budget. Ive seen a few pricewise they are fantastic but are 2003-2005 models. I know very little about models of this age. Is there anything to look out for or the downsides to a model at this age?

thanks tim

Non whatsoever its the same movement as at launch in 2000 in all models and metals till present time.

[Cc1966]

Wow...fantastic watch you are after. I envy you...

[vintagewaferthin]

The Daytona meteorite is certiantly a thing of wonder and beauty. I say absolutly go for it and best of luck on your journey.

[johnbeth]

I miss this ...... However I would prefer a bracelet if I was going to buy it again.
Mine was a D serial 2006....

[tstimepieces]

Many thanks thats all I needed to know thats everything I was going to do buy on condition.

[johnbeth]

Same watch with a custom strap from APB....

Price wise I think around US$16K to 17K for a 116519 with a meteorite. Expensive dial!

[j ingram]

I am also thinking of acquiring a white gold meteorite Daytona but my dilemmas are that I am not sure if I want the black croc strap or the white gold Oyster bracelet. I also have a TT Daytona with the white panda Arabic dial that I bought as my 45th birthday present. I survived a serious hit and run motorcycle accident shortly after getting it. The watch and I went through the whole experience together, so it is a bit difficult to trade it for the new one. I really don't need 2 watches, so I am still deciding.

[johnbeth]

Originally Posted by j ingram

I am also thinking of acquiring a white gold meteorite Daytona but my dilemmas are that I am not sure if I want the black croc strap or the white gold Oyster bracelet. I also have a TT Daytona with the white panda Arabic dial that I bought as my 45th birthday present. I survived a serious hit and run motorcycle accident shortly after getting it. The watch and I went through the whole experience together, so it is a bit difficult to trade it for the new one. I really don't need 2 watches, so I am still deciding.

At one stage I had two daytonas as well.. One TT with diamond dial and the WG with meteorite. I was wearing the TT more unfortunately as the strap was not fun to wear during summer here in Perth. I found that my WG was worn more during a short period in winter..
Frustrating as you will always favour one more then the other.

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by johnbeth

At one stage I had two daytonas as well.. One TT with diamond dial and the WG with meteorite. I was wearing the TT more unfortunately as the strap was not fun to wear during summer here in Perth. I found that my WG was worn more during a short period in winter..
Frustrating as you will always favour one more then the other.

That was one of my thoughts exactly. I went through the same problem with my first watch. I bought a TT black faced Sub back in '98 and wore it daily until I bought the Daytona in 2010. I then rarely wore the Sub and ended up giving it to my sister to hold as a graduation present to my nephew for when he finishes school. I have never had a watch with a strap, so I thought I would keep my current watch for sentimental value and try out the new watch with the strap. Perhaps I could purchase the metal bracelet at a later time.

[TonyD]

I can't say enough good things about the Meteorite Daytona. Mine came on a black strap but it looks great on almost any color including this goofy red one!

I love the look of the WG bracelet and there is nothing like the weight of a full gold bracelet... BUT... for the extra expense of just the WG bracelet you could almost buy another stainless Rolex!

Maybe buy it on the strap for a nice dress watch and buy a Sub or GMT for a little sporty mix it up!

[kcmo]

Originally Posted by TonyD

I can't say enough good things about the Meteorite Daytona. Mine came on a black strap but it looks great on almost any color including this goofy red one!

I love the look of the WG bracelet and there is nothing like the weight of a full gold bracelet... BUT... for the extra expense of just the WG bracelet you could almost buy another stainless Rolex!

Maybe buy it on the strap for a nice dress watch and buy a Sub or GMT for a little sporty mix it up!

LOVE that red strap combo!

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by kcmo

LOVE that red strap combo!

Thanks for the pics and the advice. I guess you could periodically change the straps for a new look rather inexpensively from time to time. Because the watch is so beautiful, it would look good with any strap. How does it wear in the hot months and does it sweat your wrist to death? I live in Southern Califirnia. Also, I am a pretty thin guy with a wrist circumference of 6 1/2 inches (16 cm), so I wonder if the strap will even fit. Thanks again!

[TonyD]

The watch comes with a gold deployant clasp. I normally use an aftermarket buckle and a multitude of straps. Its easy to find good straps that will be comfy in hot weather and of course you can adjust the size very easily unlike most bracelets. I am 99.9% sure the WG Daytona clasp on the bracelet is not adjustable like a new Sub.

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by TonyD

The watch comes with a gold deployant clasp. I normally use an aftermarket buckle and a multitude of straps. Its easy to find good straps that will be comfy in hot weather and of course you can adjust the size very easily unlike most bracelets. I am 99.9% sure the WG Daytona clasp on the bracelet is not adjustable like a new Sub.

Thanks for the reply! What aftermarket bands/clasps do you use? Can they be switched out by you or will a jeweler be needed to make the changes?

[TonyD]

Originally Posted by j ingram

Thanks for the reply! What aftermarket bands/clasps do you use? Can they be switched out by you or will a jeweler be needed to make the changes?

Man I am horrible about straps! I get cheap ones from Panatime which are machine made overseas but crazy quality for the lowest prices on the planet. I also have several from more high end boutique guys that make great stuff. Check the Panerai sub forums for the main guys.

Buy good quality tools and for sure you can change it yourself. Its just a simple springbar easy peasy. You do need to get good at it since gold scratches and it can be tricky to grab them.

Check Otto Frei for tools. I use the Bergeon 6111 spring bar tool and the Bergeon 6825 tool. The 6825 is expensive but it works well. It grabs both ends of the springbar so you can pull it right out. For both of these you need to buy the fine tips because the Rolex springbars are very small.

Talk to your local watch dealer or watchmaker, or maybe a local WIS watch lover and see if they will teach you some basic tricks and you will get it in not time!

[Racerdj]

I hope to see that dial sometime soon in person.

[Lucky777]

Wow...beautiful representation of the Daytona!!

[T.S.Eliot]

The only differences from what I know is the engraved rehaut and the clasp for newer ones, also slightly wider 3, 6 & 9 o'clock markers.

[TonyD]

You can get lost in that dial. I find myself in tedious business meetings waking up and missing 5 minutes of my life because I was marveling at the facets of the grain of the dial.

The subtle red Daytona text, the bright red hands, black lines on the hands instead of white lume etc. The unique "IIII" representing the 4 also threw me a bit at first but it balances the VIII on the opposite side of the dial perfectly.

[j ingram]

Wow! Thank you gus for alll your repliesand advice!

[landroverking]

Love the watch. It would be high on my list with any kind of real lune.

[j ingram]

Ok, I decided to pull the trigger and purchase a BNIB white gold meteorite Daytona from one of our most respected TRF sellers. The deposit has been received. Now I'm just waiting to complete the transaction and wait for the watch to come in!

[evilfij]

Congrats!

Bracelet or strap?

I know it is kind of cheaping out, but you could fit a stainless bracelet to the WG head if you bought a strap. I considered this option for a while.

Oh, and don't sell the TT panda as it is mine's twin. ;)

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by evilfij

Congrats!

Bracelet or strap?

I know it is kind of cheaping out, but you could fit a stainless bracelet to the WG head if you bought a strap. I considered this option for a while.

Actually, you can't do that.

[Manofsteelpt]

To the OP, congrats, you will LOVE it! I love love love mine, though I do wish the Dayt was a lil bigger.

[j ingram]

Originally Posted by evilfij

Congrats!

Bracelet or strap?

I know it is kind of cheaping out, but you could fit a stainless bracelet to the WG head if you bought a strap. I considered this option for a while.

Oh, and don't sell the TT panda as it is mine's twin. ;)

Thank you very much! I decided to try the strap version for a change of style. I think the black croc strap enables me to dress it up with a suit/formal wear or dress down with jeans and a nice shirt. The TT Panda (which is going to stay) looks to be more of a sporting type watch because of the metal bracelet I think. You can't switch to a metal bracelet from the strap because the case is made differently. I really feel very fortunate and look forward to owning such a unique watch. I'll post pics when it arrives!

[evilfij]

Originally Posted by Manofsteelpt

Actually, you can't do that.

Why not? Never mind I am wrong. Cross off buying a strap Daytona off my list.

[normandy]

Go for it!

[AK797]

Originally Posted by evilfij

Why not? Never mind I am wrong. Cross off buying a strap Daytona off my list.

Daytonas on bracelet can be fitted with straps but not the other way round, and if youre getting it in gold then you really need the bracelet for the full out of body and atmosphere experience!