Help with a blue decision?

[japenney]

Hey everyone. I've been making a lot of moves lately and having a lot of fun. Ill be waiting til Baselworld to make a final decision in case more ceramic Daytonas are released in PM, for example. I am trying to choose between these 3 brands and I am not 100% sure on model color but I will use blue for all models for the sake of consistency as it is my favorite color. Lets assume all of these watches will be purchased new from AD. Needless to say, they are in a similar price bracket and all chronographs so they have a lot in common. We know I often flip but I don't want to go into a decision thinking that way. I don't want to take resale value into consideration either as it will likely cloud my decision. I was hoping to list the pros and cons of each watch from my perspective to help me in my decision process and perhaps some of you here will also provide some valuable insight. Appreciate everyone's input as always.

Josh

Rolex Daytona pros

1. Solid gold vs steel. Nicer for many reasons. This is the main selling point for the daytona over the others.
2. Dressier than the other options
3. In-house movement
4. 100m water resist

Daytona cons

1. No date - limits the watch to the afternoon as I prefer a date for daily.
2. No exhibition case back - What can I say i'm a sucker for this lately.

Vacheron pros

1. Date function
2. in-house movement
3. Geneva seal
4. exhibition case back (huge plus and it is beautiful)
5. quick strap change system and comes with steel, rubber, and leather.
6. 150m water resist

Vacheron cons

1. I know we are trying not to consider resale value but this watch easily has the worst of the three - although it is still new and perhaps the in-house change will help. This is the only con I can think of. Other than this I am fairly sure the VC has everything I want in a chronograph that can be worn daily on rubber and quickly changed to steel / leather in the evening.

AP pros

1. I can't really think of any major pros over the daytona or the VC. It is a lovely watch tho.

AP cons
1. Only 50m water resist
2. lagging behind so hard with no in-house movement and no sign of one this year as the SIHH releases do not have it.
3. no exhibition case back

[F1polesitter]

I'm biased towards the VC brand, but between the Daytona and Overseas, it's a bit of a toss up for me. AP wouldn't factor into my consideration.

I think the VC has everything you're looking for. But if your intent is to flip it down the road, go with the Daytona.

[Kaedeh]

Vacheron may be the least iconic and less durable than Daytona. And disregarding the resale and high MSRP it is easily my choice and I love the other two a lot.

They hit it out of the park with the new Overseas it's just such a good looking watch and the 3 strap easy change is icing on the cake.

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[beer]

i prefer the AP in general (white or black dial) but between these particular blue-dialled versions i would go with the daytona

[Lol-x]

The absence of a date is not a huge issue on the Daytona.

It comes down to choosing the watch that makes your heart sing when its on your wrist.....and which you feel is likely to continue to make you feel that way over the longer term.

For me the AP and the VC are too quirky, they are trying hard and there is too much going on, but in doing so they lose out to the simplicity and technical quality of the Rolex movement, casing and bracelet.

You can get great aftermarket display backs for Daytonas so the fact that the watch does not have a display back as stock standard is not a significant drawback. "DAYTONA" is printed on the winding rotor as a bonus when you get the display back fitted.

[Chiboy]

If you want a blue dialed chronograph, why don't you just get a platinum Daytona? You might just find that it's a keeper!

Seriously, I don't really know what drives your watch purchases, but I have been super happy with the Daytona. The white gold with blue dial is also very pretty. I have tried that on. But as much as you don't want to focus on resale, the white gold/blue dial, being still a pretty new style, will likely drop in the next half year or year (yes, I know that's an eternity), whereas the platinum one can be bought right, and perhaps will not drop much over that time period.

I find that there is enough going on with the Daytona (or any chronograph) that having Arabic numbers or a date embedded somewhere in the dial is just too much. Sure it's more information, but I'd rather have a watch look right to me, and get the date from a phone or somewhere else.

[japenney]

Originally Posted by Chiboy

If you want a blue dialed chronograph, why don't you just get a platinum Daytona? You might just find that it's a keeper!

Seriously, I don't really know what drives your watch purchases, but I have been super happy with the Daytona. The white gold with blue dial is also very pretty. I have tried that on. But as much as you don't want to focus on resale, the white gold/blue dial, being still a pretty new style, will likely drop in the next half year or year (yes, I know that's an eternity), whereas the platinum one can be bought right, and perhaps will not drop much over that time period.

I find that there is enough going on with the Daytona (or any chronograph) that having Arabic numbers or a date embedded somewhere in the dial is just too much. Sure it's more information, but I'd rather have a watch look right to me, and get the date from a phone or somewhere else.

Good input. With regards to the Platona....it's pretty much my grail if I were to have one. Out of my price range at the moment. My max is around 30k USD. I do really like the Daytona and I have an amazing relationship with my Rolex AD so that helps...I will have to think some more about the lack of date function.

[Hodog16]

I'd either get the 116506 or a 5711 blue dial if you go non Rolex.

[TickTockChuck]

All wonderful watches I've admired, but the safe money is on the Daytona for future retention of value and flipability (is that a word?). I think however you might want to wait and see what goodies await at Baselworld next month. In fact a person with your enthusiasm should consider attending the show. Cheers!

[bdex75]

If Rolex releases that Daytona with a ceramic bezel that is the one. If not it is close between that and the AP, and I am NOT an AP fan generally. That is just a beautiful example pictured.

The words "New from AD" "PM" and "resale" don't compute so I am glad that is not a big consideration.

Look forward to whatever you chose Josh.


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[bluebeamer]

ap

[Bigsykedaddy]

I'm partial to the Daytona so my opinion would be biased. I just think it is an absolutely gorgeous watch. That being said the VC is no slouch either and I really prefer having a date on my watch as well.

Tough choice, but I would lean Daytona

[mdx77]

We will have to have another go around in a month or so, but based on the three here, AP all day long.

[japenney]

Guys i'm considering setting up a deal for a Platona with my AD and just putting it on lay away for a couple of years and paying the remainder off while I focus on finishing my masters. It would be an amazing reward for finishing school and be something for me to work towards. Thoughts?

[toucan]

Josh I pretty much all 3 of the above watches. The AP in yellow gold though. The best for daily wear is the VC. I wore it today in fact, look in the wruw for today.
I was choosing between the daytona and the VC today and I wanted the date feature. The quick change straps are awesome, very easy to adjust the bracelet, plus it's a reall nicely finished. The blue is AP is awesome but since it's gold I wear occasionally, a little flashy.
The. daytona is great just not as versatile as the VC.
Buy the VC right and it will be a keeper!

[westsideclock]

The AP is iconic. The Daytona is great but you can get the AP and a stainless Daytona and have both for similar price. The VC is a great looking watch, but not as iconic as the other two. For me the RO and Daytona are lifetime watches style wise, obviously all can last a lifetime and beyond

[AK797]

The blue on the AP is awesome and a very unique petrol-blue so that would be my choice, plus you get the best bracelet of all. If a ceramic of the WG Daytona came out with blue or panda dial that would be my first choice.

[Etschell]

Get the wg daytona

[Wcdhtwn]

Daytona being gold seals it for me. The VC is terrific... AP's don't do it for me-I don't like looking at screws. Daytona is dressy if you dress it up. I think it works in jeans and even (in the right place like a race track) shorts. It's more versatile than you give it credit for. I think the VC is dressier.

[Pharaoh_83]

Ap

[Rosmoss]

Rolex dial with red subdial rings in the most casual. The white date disc is kind of offputting when the AP gets the date so right. The AP wins this one.

[Maiden]

The VC has everything you are looking for and is a great watch. I would hold off on the platinum Daytona. Its an amazing watch, but IMO nothing special to put on layaway for years. They will always be available and are not rare. Still no date. You can get it all in SS or Gold for half the price. My vote VC. Plus you know I will be asking detailed review!

[Gerardus]

Between those 3 the AP sings for me the most.

[travisb]

Originally Posted by japenney

Guys i'm considering setting up a deal for a Platona with my AD and just putting it on lay away for a couple of years and paying the remainder off while I focus on finishing my masters. It would be an amazing reward for finishing school and be something for me to work towards. Thoughts?

This is the way to go if you think you can hold out.
Otherwise, the AP ROC is just gorgeous. Finishing is second to none and the blue dial is so good. I do wish it had an in-house movement but it's tried and true. Good luck.

[ap1]

Basel 17 - wg Daytona panda.

The VC value plummeting day 1 is too much to ignore. As, I heard you like to flip a lil

[albmich]

Ap

[DramaTurtle]

Overseas. Otherwise, the Royal Oak.

[Devildog]

Why canvas opinion on here?

It's not as if what we say will make the slightest difference and it's not as if you're going to keep it anyway

How many of the 4 you bought recently do you still own. One?

[MrGMT]

VC would be my pick followed closely by the AP

[behardt]

That AP looks amazing...