"Placeholder" until if/when I can get a Daytona C?

[the dark knight]

I really want to add a Daytona one day. That and the Sub (already have) are the 2 watches I've always wanted.

I personally can't stomach paying a dollar over MSRP for any wristwatch. That means at a minimum I'm probably not going to touch a Daytona C for another 2-3 years. Maybe longer.

I would really love a placeholder type watch. I'm considering a couple of options. The last gen Daytona obviously makes most sense. I'd prefer new over preowned (though not necessarily opposed to the idea). The TT with white face is good, though I'd slightly prefer SS. But USED prices for SS models seem to be going for more than they last sold brand new. So the TT seems like a much better value, especially assuming I one day flip this for a SS Daytona C.

Other chronographs that hold my interest are just the Speedy Pro and the BB Chrono (yep, I do like it!). Well below the Daytona's price point. Speedy Pro might be an interesting placeholder as it might not lose much value in 2-3 years if I plan on flipping it, and it's a nice historical chronograph that I can happily wear in the interim.

Finally, a completely different option at around the Daytona's price point is the AP Royal Oak. In terms of watches in this price range, the Daytona and RO are the only ones that have held my interest. But I promised my wife and myself I'd only get one or the other.

What sounds like the right step here?

[Dj_masse]

I have a speedy pro and love it. Very versatile piece. I was in the same position as you...decided to save the Daytona C for another day and got a GMT BLNR (Batman) in the meantime and love it.

[dmash]

The RO will wear drastically different than the Daytona if you've never tried one on. The Daytona is 40 but wears smaller as it actually measures 38.5. The RO is 41 but wears bigger, more like a 42-43. Definitely need to try it on because you may hate it on the wrist.

The Speedmaster is cool and all that jazz, but I just don't like it on my wrist. I truly wanted to, but it just didn't do anything for me. I would ALWAYS pick up a black dial diver over the Speedmaster, so it would never see wrist time.

If you truly want the Daytona then just get on quite a few lists (especially outside big cities), make it apparent you have cash ready and you may get lucky within 12-18 months. Just rock the Sub until then and save yourself some money in the long run. If you're adamant about including an additional piece though, I'd definitely go with something white dial. With a 2 watch collection I'd want some diversity aside from black dial only.

[MJK737]

Speedy Pro, got one and love it, but for elegance I'd go with a Zenith El Primero. Rolex used their movements albeit "dumbed down" in the Daytona until around 2000. The El Primero was one of the first mechanical chronographs made and is highly regarded by horological connoisseurs.

[wisguy]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

I really want to add a Daytona one day. That and the Sub (already have) are the 2 watches I've always wanted.



I personally can't stomach paying a dollar over MSRP for any wristwatch. That means at a minimum I'm probably not going to touch a Daytona C for another 2-3 years. Maybe longer.



I would really love a placeholder type watch. I'm considering a couple of options. The last gen Daytona obviously makes most sense. I'd prefer new over preowned (though not necessarily opposed to the idea). The TT with white face is good, though I'd slightly prefer SS. But USED prices for SS models seem to be going for more than they last sold brand new. So the TT seems like a much better value, especially assuming I one day flip this for a SS Daytona C.



Other chronographs that hold my interest are just the Speedy Pro and the BB Chrono (yep, I do like it!). Well below the Daytona's price point. Speedy Pro might be an interesting placeholder as it might not lose much value in 2-3 years if I plan on flipping it, and it's a nice historical chronograph that I can happily wear in the interim.



Finally, a completely different option at around the Daytona's price point is the AP Royal Oak. In terms of watches in this price range, the Daytona and RO are the only ones that have held my interest. But I promised my wife and myself I'd only get one or the other.



What sounds like the right step here?

Placeholders have never worked well for me, most of the time you end up losing money on the trade.

Your safest bet would be 116520 in terms of resale value.

The RO is a great watch, bot having owned a few RO and a 166520, the AP wears larger.

The Speedy is great, but it seems like you want a Daytona, so why buy something else?


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[Tony64]

Originally Posted by wisguy

Placeholders have never worked well for me, most of the time you end up losing money on the trade.

Your safest bet would be 116520 in terms of resale value.

The RO is a great watch, bot having owned a few RO and a 166520, the AP wears larger.

The Speedy is great, but it seems like you want a Daytona, so why buy something else?


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Agree wholeheartedly with this. The only placeholder I'd consider is my savings account.

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by Tony64

Agree wholeheartedly with this. The only placeholder I'd consider is my savings account.

Yep, I concur.

In my own experience, when looking for a placeholder you'll always be looking ahead for what you really wanted, even during the acquisition and honeymoon phase of the placeholder. I would either pony up the premium to get the watch you truly want (I did for my BNIB 500LN and I'm thrilled), play the waiting game, or hunt for a like-new DaytonaC where the price might be a bit easier to stomach from the classifieds here on TRF if you are set that that is the watch for you.

I wouldn't settle as it could cost you some $$$ in flipping and I think it would be hard to enjoy the placeholder with your eyes already set on the DaytonaC. I was in a very similar scenario two years ago, when I picked up a blue dial Yachtmaster when I really wanted a SS Daytona but was too firm in my budget, and flipped the YM a couple days later for the SS Daytona. I was happier that I had the watch I wanted but it was also a learning lesson for me as I lost some money flipping it when I should have just gone for what I really wanted in the first place. YMMV.

[GB-man]

Not the royal oak. You'll get bent over when you go to sell unless its mint and they never are

A competitively priced 116520 seems safe. Speedy is cool but does not interest me.

Unless you have 50k to spend my favorite chrono is the 43mm Navitimer B01.

[OmegaJJH]

Originally Posted by GB-man

A competitively priced 116520 seems safe.

Not sure about US markets but used 116520's are currently priced in UK about £3,000 over RRP of a brand new 116500 from AD

It's so frustrating.... I just want to buy a Daytona and can't

I can't imagine many people are paying £12,000+ for a used 116520 so at what point do we imagine their prices will drop to sensible levels? They can't sit on them forever...

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by wisguy

Placeholders have never worked well for me, most of the time you end up losing money on the trade.


The Speedy is great, but it seems like you want a Daytona, so why buy something else?


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Total agreement.

I used to buy placeholders and it never worked out well. Save and wait for what you really want.

[sager]

Originally Posted by wisguy

Placeholders have never worked well for me, most of the time you end up losing money on the trade.

Your safest bet would be 116520 in terms of resale value.

The RO is a great watch, bot having owned a few RO and a 166520, the AP wears larger.

The Speedy is great, but it seems like you want a Daytona, so why buy something else?


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Absolutely agree with you.


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[JR16]

For what you will lose on a future flip, might as well just pay above MRSP for the DaytonaC now if that's really what you want


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[RFIgroup]

Tudor chronographs are a great "fill in " until you get the Daytona.
I also just happen to have one for sale on here ��

[AK797]

Placeholder for 6 months or less and I'd wait, over as is likely with the D500 and I would get one. I'd try on all the chronos and buy the one you like the most. Obviously try to get the best deal you can, but try not to worry too much about resale, worry more about how it looks and feels on you, could be there for 2 years.

[ras47]

If you absolutely NEED a place holder, go with the Speedmaster. You can get them BNIB with all the trimmings for around $3K. At that price you can recoup almost all of the price later. You might even come out ahead of you buy it right. I wouldn't want to spend a lot on a place holder watch.

You might end up falling in love with the Speedmaster too. I did. My GMT2 Pepsi was my grail watch for 30+ years and I finally pulled the trigger this year. That's a saga of its own though. The point is that I got a Speedmaster a month after acquiring the GMT2 and now love it as much as the GMT2 and wear both all the time. The Speedmaster has a rich history with the Space Program so if you're a NASA/space enthusiasts like me you'll not regret the Speedy.

I'd say it's best to wait for the Daytona, saving the money. But the Speedmaster is a great option if you are determined to make a move before the Daytona is available.

[MCO1]

If you have never owned one then certainly a Speedmaster Professional. I have had one for years and recently got my Daytona C and love it. That said I thought I would flip the Speedy but I still enjoy wearing it and having it in my collection. Inexpensive enough you can fill the gap and then not feel too guilty about keeping it when the Daytona enters the collection.

[dave023]

Originally Posted by MCO1

If you have never owned one then certainly a Speedmaster Professional. I have had one for years and recently got my Daytona C and love it. That said I thought I would flip the Speedy but I still enjoy wearing it and having it in my collection. Inexpensive enough you can fill the gap and then not feel too guilty about keeping it when the Daytona enters the collection.

This.

[Tony64]

A picture's worth a thousand words; this is what I think of placeholders...

[Hands90]

Buy a preowned Speedy Pro 005. Then sell it and you should get back or increase what you paid.

[tomchicago]

Speedmaster moon watch is the nicest chronograph I've ever seen. Only one that comes close is Newman era Daytona.

[melrob1]

You can get a black one for right at 15k, that 2k premium (considering taxes). In 2-3 years there is no question the msrp will go up. So why wait if you really want it? I'm sure you spend more on other things over a years time that equates to 2k. It's only 5.50 a day. Grab the Daytona and just think of it as being what the retail is because it will be that or similar in a few years.

[ap1]

Originally Posted by melrob1

You can get a black one for right at 15k, that 2k premium (considering taxes). In 2-3 years there is no question the msrp will go up. So why wait if you really want it? I'm sure you spend more on other things over a years time that equates to 2k. It's only 5.50 a day. Grab the Daytona and just think of it as being what the retail is because it will be that or similar in a few years.

Compelling. Placeholders rarely work out well

[melrob1]

Originally Posted by ap1

Compelling. Placeholders rarely work out well

Also the loss on the flip of the placeholder probably takes up most. I remember when I first wanted the old SS daytona is was 8k, 4 years later is was 12k. Things change fast