Musings on SS Daytona inventory

[321Forever]

For fun, I did a quick and dirty analysis of recent stainless steel Daytona models. I was curious about USD pricing and inventory. Here's what I see.

1. 16520 Zenith Daytona. There are ~140 up for sale on Chrono24. These ran from 1988 until 2000; 12 years. They are notable for having a dial change from Tritium to Luminova in around 1998. On average, there are 12 for sale for every year they were out. Decent ones are $12.5K and up. They have appreciated in value relative to their MSRP and street prices.

2. 116520 Daytona. There are ~620 for sale, with more of them being recent vintages. These ran from 2000 until 2016. Not much variability on these ones. There are around 39 for sale for every year they were out. Decent ones are $10K and up. Plenty of NOS out there still...

3. 116500 Ceramic Daytona. We all know these. They came out last year and there are 180 up for sale. You all know the pricing, too.

My interpretation of these numbers: (1) Now may be a great time to get a 116520 as they are being unloaded by people who want to get a ceramic Daytona or trade up to something else; (2) 16520 models are in tighter supply and there is more variation due to lume changes and dial coloration; (3) overall, there are many Daytona watches available for those who want one. It's not exactly a scarce item, and more like a commodity. I would search out models with clear histories and full papers to differentiate.

Thoughts?

J

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by jakemeister

It's not exactly a scarce item, and more like a commodity. I would search out models with clear histories and full papers to differentiate.

Thoughts?

J

Interesting...thanks.

IMO, virtually all newer Rolexes are commodities. These are not '60s Ferraris that may or may not have the original paint job or original wheels. Every Daytona (except for the few that have been modified) is EXACTLY THE SAME! Every Platona is just like every other, except maybe a few have been polished and are therefor worthless. Every white Day-C, as beautiful as it is, is just like every other one, except maybe 1 out of 100 doesn't have a box or paperwork.

Don't misread my tone. I'm trying to be light, but I really think it's true. These watches are very, very nice, but Rolex makes sure each one is virtually identical to the next one on the line. And until you talk about vintage watches, the like new ones are very, very similar.

[321Forever]

That makes sense. No wonder old ones cost sooo much! That's where you see variability...

[m j b]

J, I concur, it does seem like a good time to get an 116520. I'm tempted to get one myself, even though I really want the ceramic.

Nice new avatar there Chiboy.

[varkom]

past performance is not an indicator of future results

the pre-2000 supply might be just lower simply because they didn't sell as many as they did in 2000-2016.

remember 2000-2016 covers a pretty large period where a ton of people made a KILLING and rewarded themselves with a new rolex.

[varkom]

past performance is not an indicator of future results

the pre-2000 supply might be just lower simply because they didn't sell as many as they did in 2000-2016.

remember 2000-2016 covers a pretty large period where a ton of people made a KILLING and rewarded themselves with a new rolex.

[904VT]

[QUOTE=m j b;7327649]J, I concur, it does seem like a good time to get an 116520. I'm tempted to get one myself, even though I really want the ceramic.


I thought the same about really wanting a ceramic until I finally was able to do a real life side by side. While the ceramic is nice, I found I greatly prefer the 116520 over the 116500 white dial.

Now I'm waiting on a black dial 116500 and figure in 5 years when I make it up the AD list for "the call", I'll be ready for my next SS Daytona

Perhaps the 116520s are being undervalued in the market with all this 116500 hype. I greatly prefer the silver sub-dials on the 116520 white dial as well, more versatile

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by m j b

J, I concur, it does seem like a good time to get an 116520. I'm tempted to get one myself, even though I really want the ceramic.

Nice new avatar there Chiboy.

Thanks "m," whoever you are.

Well, get *something* already!

[David cote]

I think now is a great time to snag a Zenith Daytona Ref: 16520 while they last....

[David cote]

Was able to snag this up just very recently!


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[904VT]

Originally Posted by David cote

Was able to snag this up just very recently!


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Congrats! Now black sub-dials with the polished bezel is another story, very versatile IMO. Very interesting reference

[m j b]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I thought the same about really wanting a ceramic until I finally was able to do a real life side by side. While the ceramic is nice, I found I greatly prefer the 116520 over the 116500 white dial.

. . .

I greatly prefer the silver sub-dials on the 116520 white dial as well, more versatile

Holy smokes, that looks fabulous! And I concur, the silver sub dials do look better. Hmmmm... maybe I'll look some more.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by m j b

Holy smokes, that looks fabulous! And I concur, the silver sub dials do look better. Hmmmm... maybe I'll look some more.

Thank you!

I'm still amazed how well the whole package of polished bezel, silver sub-dial rings, and white dial play together in different lightings. Don't get me wrong the 116500 is a beauty too, and I will add some day. When I add Daytona #2 it will be a Ceramic SS or a PM Model. I decided I'd get more versatility out of the 116520 based on my current collection and with it being the only Daytona currently in it.

[1Daytona]

Nice write up Jason!
I was lucky enough to get a white dial ceramic Daytona last month from my local dealer.
I still own a mint condition 116520 Daytona with black dial that I purchased from the same dealer a few years ago. He told me to keep it and says it may go up in value.
Any opinion on what this watch is worth if I sold it? Has all boxes, papers, hang tags, and has never been polished...

[gyro]

Originally Posted by David cote

I think now is a great time to snag a Zenith Daytona Ref: 16520 while they last....

Rolex makes a watch that lasts a long / long / long time I don't think there will be a shortage for some time

[David cote]

That's merely on price increase not shortage of supply.....

Originally Posted by gyro

Rolex makes a watch that lasts a long / long / long time I don't think there will be a shortage for some time

[77T]

My take on the analysis is the numbers belie the emotion some WIS feel when they can't get exactly what they want the moment they want it.
Logic, as you have laid it out well, has zero to do with "mefirst Daytona-500-itis"...


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[Vaxe]

I think dealers already caught on with the 116520, I've been seeing them offered at $12K+ for used (but random serial). NOS is already $13.5K+.

Best bet now is get a non-random as they are still around $9-10K, but then you have the older clasp and most have been heavily polished to look new.