Those that disliked chronographs, did Daytona change your mind?

[the dark knight]

I keep going back and forth on whether to pull the trigger on a Daytona 116520. It's a watch I wanted for quite a while.

The weird thing is, in the past I haven't really liked chronographs and I don't currently own any. It's a complication I don't use and I am not really a huge fan of cluttered dials.

In my quest for the Daytona, I see some eerie similarities to the Omega Speedy Pro. I purchased that watch about 7-8 years ago because I thought it was a "must" for my collection and I had wanted it for a while. And of course its iconic and historic properties. But I flipped it within 2 months.

I'm worried the Daytona may be one of these watches I really admire in pictures and (I'll be honest) due to its relative rareness/exclusivity. But I fear it could be something that lets me down in the reality of actual ownership. Like maybe it's a watch I enjoy "chasing" more than I would "owning".

So I thought I'd ask, are there any of you that may have disliked chronographs in general, but made an exception for the Daytona and ended up really liking it (or regretting the purchase?)?

[Etschell]

if you arent a chrono fan dont do it. although you prob wont lose a ton if you do and flip it.

i would stick to what you like.

[HONDABBQ]

Never was a fan of the Daytona at all.

[RaceDoc11]

+1

Originally Posted by hondabbq

never was a fan of the daytona at all.

[Rashid.bk]

Never cared for the Daytona or chronos, the ss ceramic changed my mind. I'd love to own it now.

[bruinmd]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

I keep going back and forth on whether to pull the trigger on a Daytona 116520. It's a watch I wanted for quite a while.

The weird thing is, in the past I haven't really liked chronographs and I don't currently own any. It's a complication I don't use and I am not really a huge fan of cluttered dials.

In my quest for the Daytona, I see some eerie similarities to the Omega Speedy Pro. I purchased that watch about 7-8 years ago because I thought it was a "must" for my collection and I had wanted it for a while. And of course its iconic and historic properties. But I flipped it within 2 months.

I'm worried the Daytona may be one of these watches I really admire in pictures and (I'll be honest) due to its relative rareness/exclusivity. But I fear it could be something that lets me down in the reality of actual ownership. Like maybe it's a watch I enjoy "chasing" more than I would "owning".

So I thought I'd ask, are there any of you that may have disliked chronographs in general, but made an exception for the Daytona and ended up really liking it (or regretting the purchase?)?

that's exactly me..........not a fan of chrono's at all, until I saw the Daytona in rose gold, and later WG (the latter in pics only).
In addition, being a car guy, I now have a greater appreciation from a historical perspective as to what the Daytona represents. If you're a Rolex fan and a car lover, I think it's almost a must to own a Daytona --even if just for a while.

The changes to the 116500, however, have made me go 'all in' on the SS version.

I also like the IWC Portuguese chrono blue dial, but I'm not sure how it will wear, given the small size of the bezel. If for some reason the Daytona falls through, that's my back up chrono. Otherwise, no other chrono out there remotely interests me b/c I'm just not a fan.

[HogwldFLTR]

For years on the forum I wouldn't succumb to the Daytona Kool-Aid. Finally I decided that I wanted one and started figuring out a way to get one. That lasted a year. This last year I went on a hunt for a 116500. Of course I couldn't find one a list but I was happy to get one for a couple to a few thousand less than what they were going for and with only a couple of months used of the warranty. Now of course I'm wearing it and not keeping it in a safe but at least I'd be close to breaking even if I decided to part with it.

Oh, and back to the original question. I didn't really dislike chronos, I had a number of quartz versions and basically found I didn't use the stop watch much. It seemed like a somewhat useless complication.

[Rose Gold]

Like others here, I am a gearhead and the Daytona was a natural for me. When I saw my first Daytona in rose gold, I knew that ultimately I would own one. If you cannot find a configuration of a Daytona that takes your breath away; find a watch that does.

[bruinmd]

Originally Posted by Rose Gold

Like others here, I am a gearhead and the Daytona was a natural for me. When I saw my first Daytona in rose gold, I knew that ultimately I would own one. If you cannot find a configuration of a Daytona that takes your breath away; find a watch that does.

can you post a wrist shot of your RG Daytona?

[ras47]

Love chronos but not the Daytona. It’s too small and has no date option. I’m a Speedmaster guy with chronographs. Better legibility and a much more reasonable price tag. Plus I love the history of the Speedy and the space program.

Similarly, I don’t like Omega’s iterations of GMT watches. For me, the only choice of a GMT is Rolex.

[gttime]

Originally Posted by ras47

Love chronos but not the Daytona. It’s too small and has no date option. I’m a Speedmaster guy with chronographs. Better legibility and a much more reasonable price tag. Plus I love the history of the Speedy and the space program.

Similarly, I don’t like Omega’s iterations of GMT watches. For me, the only choice of a GMT is Rolex.

Love the Speedmaster 9300 it’s a beautiful watch and a great size. I have five variations of this watch and all different and unique. Yes I’ll admit Omega makes too many variations but I like most of them.

[Speedbird-1]

'To each his own' and all that.......
Always found the Daytona, too busy, or any multi dial face for that matter.
I wonder what percentage of chronograph owners have actually used the stopwatch function, apart from the first few days of ownership, that is.

Having said that the Daytona is a beautiful piece of kit, and has been a design icon for many years.
Too many knobs and dials for me though.

Did anyone else see that lovely Cosmograph on Antiques Roadshow, last night, t was valued
at 20-£30,000?

[ras47]

Originally Posted by gttime

Love the Speedmaster 9300 it’s a beautiful watch and a great size. I have five variations of this watch and all different and unique. Yes I’ll admit Omega makes too many variations but I like most of them.

Those are some sweet examples!

[Seaswirl]

I answered your other threads over on another site, but I would is suggest you pass on the Daytona. If you don’t like chronographs and you think the hype got to you, then the answer is pretty clear. Get the AP you were thinking about.

[MCO1]

If the Speedy didn't tick all the boxes for you its likely the Daytona won't either I would pass if I were you. Sounds like chronographs aren't your thing so why bother with Daytona unless it is to just own a Daytona.

[Khans14]

I would not say I "dislike" them, Rather I have no use for one so would never buy one. I would never use the chronograph feature so I will not buy it, Same goes for the GMT II. The BLNR is beautiful but I would never utilize the functions of it.

Now if someone put a gun to my head and said I must buy a chronograph I would buy the Omega Speedy.

[taylorpt18]

Not a fan of the SS dayton as at all. The ceramic ones are OK. No doubt they're incredible pieces though!

[MARTIN1264]

no.........Speedmaster Man on the Moon....sent me down the Chronograph path.....Iconic and almost impossible to beat as a Chrono.....IMHO.

Ed White rockin' Speedy a in space.... enough said.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by MARTIN1264

no.........Speedmaster Man on the Moon....sent me down the Chronograph path.....Iconic and almost impossible to beat as a Chrono.....IMHO.

Ed White rockin' Speedy a in space.... enough said.

Cool pix! Speedmaster rocks even I have a Daytona

[eonflux]

A chronograph is my favorite complication.
I use mine frequently.

If the Speedy didn’t stick, doubt a Daytona will.
And if you don’t really use the chronograph, why pay more for a more complicated movement with a greater risk of malfunctioning, and for higher servicing costs?

At least with the Speedy (if the more classic model), legibility is good. Not as good with the Daytona, especially the black dial. And lume much fainter.
Also, having to unscrew the buttons to operate the chrono is a hassle.

[davidgilmore]

I own a ceramic Daytona white dial and love it. Really feels good on my 7.5" wrist. I owned the previous stainless Daytona version and traded it for the new one. I also recently purchased a Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster after purchasing a Speedmaster Pro black dial and like it equally well. I will be selling the Speedaster Pro to help finance the Tuesday. It is bigger than the Daytona but feels great on my wrist as well. Obviously a big difference in prices but either will certainly make you grin!

[train-time]

I have always been a fan of the chronograph and have owned many varieties, including Omega, Blancpain, Breitling, Chronoswiss, Maurice Lacroix, Tudor, Armand Nicollet, and others, but never cared for the style of the Daytona.

[karmatp]

I usually really don't care for chrono's but I love my Speedy Pro. I had a Daytona for a short time, I did not enjoy it at all. The only chrono I will ever own is the Speedy Pro, it is one of the best watches on the market period.

[red1108nyc]

If you don't try yourself, you will never know. Forget what we think. Personally, I love all chronographs and have own or owned in various brands.

[srvrf]

I only own chronographs (7) and do use them frequently at work (time after giving anesthetic shots). I’ve owned two Daytona’s, a black 116520 and white 16520. I loved the fit and bracelet but have a 6.5” wrist. In the end, I traded both of them. I found the black one pretty hard to read due to the reflections. The white one was better but I decided that I wanted a date complication. So even though I love chronographs, and even though I tried twice to own a Daytona, it just isn’t a watch for me.

So in your case, it seems even less likely that you’d bond with it or any other traditional chronograph. But as you know, if you do buy one and don’t like it, you’ll probably get most if not all of your money back if you decide to sell.


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[Scanspeakman]

To be honest until recently I could not care less for chrono's. Dials to busy, therefore hard to read and absolutely no use for it. That's why I like GMT's; I actually use that complication a lot.

But then....... 116519LN happened. There is something about that watch that really does it for me. Have not seen it in person. Hope to do so sometime soon. Completely useless watch in the sense that I won't use the complication and the fact that it does, not that easy to read the time in the blink of an eye and no date function. But that model (or maybe the black 116500LN) is actually a chrono I see my self buying and wearing somewhere in the future.

Scanspeakman

[gman5515]

I did purchase a 116520 eventually, but I seldom wear it, and have in turn passed it to my wife to wear. I'm more of a dive watch person, so if u did sell your speedmaster, likelihood is you'd probably sell the daytona , imho.. just my 2 cents... stick to what you like more if that makes any sense.

[MinMay]

I love cars...love racing...maybe that's why I love Daytona.

[Sket7]

i am a great fan of chronographs, the speedy and daytona are just my favorite.

[tyler1980]

if i was not into chronographs already, the Daytona would not change my mind. Screw down pushers are a major detractor for me and i like chronographs to begin with. Im not saying its a bad watch, but its probably not gong to convert anyone. Just talking function here, maybe on looks if they like how it wears.