SS Daytona - Icon or Entry Level?!

[Headshrinker]

Originally Posted by jjnd08

It's just people wanting to try something else. Happens all the time in life.

But I don't think I'd ever call a $10K watch "entry level."

ICON!

[Dan Pierce]

Real class is someone who wears what others have decided is rare and valuable.
dP

[CHRONOLEX]

Originally Posted by GradyPhilpott

There is definitely a group here who prize precious metals because of their intrinsic qualities, as well as the prestige that accompanies such watches.

The precious metal versions of the Daytona are not superior mechanically to the SS versions, but one thing that the precious metal versions offer that the SS versions can't and that is more choices in terms of dials.

So, there is the weight and color factors, even if most people can't tell SS from platinum or WG.

There is the variety of bezels and dials and of course there is the prestige factor that many deny, but is nonetheless quite evident if you read enough posts here.

Because of the negative connotations associated with the term "entry-level," I think that this term simply doesn't apply to Rolex.

I'm just reading the comments this morning. I wanted to clarify that my use of the term "entry level" was entirely with respect to the Daytona line itself. It's the only model I'm aware of that is offered in every metal combination Rolex offers and my comments were about moving from SS to something else. So sorry if that wasn't clear and offended anyone.

[locutus49]

This was my entry level.

[CHRONOLEX]

Originally Posted by locutus49

This was my entry level.

Love it! I have the meteorite on strap and daily think about moving to a full bracelet model.

[Ken B]

The SS Daytona isn't a big deal any more. I think thats why you see people moving on. What was once a piece no one else had is now much more common. The people that want to wear what no one else has are moving on.

[CHRONOLEX]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

I guess the Aston Martin DB9 is the entry level of Aston Martin's . . . . . . I wonder how many owners think that?

Funny you mention that. For a time, Aston marketed the Vantage as "the most affordable Aston Martin."

[CHRONOLEX]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Real class is someone who wears what others have decided is rare and valuable.
dP

Dan - always enjoy and value your posts.

[Ken B]

Originally Posted by CHRONOLEX

Love it! I have the meteorite on strap and daily think about moving to a full bracelet model.

In that picture I can't even see the strap so why get a metal braclet? Oh and sweet looking piece.

[tkerrmd]

it is far from entry level and THE Daytona is no question an icon. But yes it is easy to get one and as for precious metals they open the door to some amazing dial choices so even better if price is not an object

yes we flip for different reasons, I am on my tenth and now I think last Daytona......

[1995akcoop]

Originally Posted by travisb

Not entry level and not rare.
It comes down to what you like. Once you obtain it, most of us end up wanting more. Never ending cycle.

so true!

[Presa canary]

1 post in 7 years of hanging out? I agree it's a icon of some sort, but one of the more affordable? It's the most expensive ss model, prior to the ymii release

Originally Posted by tricky

it's both, it is THE icon, but also one of the more affordable Rolex options

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Vivalas

I guess the Aston Martin DB9 is the entry level of Aston Martin's . . . . . . I wonder how many owners think that?

Its not, there's a little coupe v8 that is and you'll know its entry level. Still pretty but about 100hp light.

I think there are definitely levels of rolex' and Daytona is at the top of the Sport watches. in my mind its something like air king, explorer, explorer 2, datejust, submariner, gmt, sd, dssd, yachtmaster, Daytona, yachtmaster2, president, and beyond

[capote]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Real class is someone who wears what others have decided is rare and valuable.
dP

I agree. Now where is that "Explorer 2 Enigma" thread? I need some validation

[landroverking]

The name Daytona is iconic. The current SS Daytona ??

[Vaxe]

As someone who recently bought a SS Daytona, I have to admit this reference will never be as iconic as any of its predecessors, even to be shadowed by the inevitable Ceramic ref.

While I much prefer this modern ref in terms of wearability and comfort, the silvery subdials w/ black font are unreadable in direct sunlight. It's the first Daytona without white/black contrasting subdials and this flaw, IMO, kills its raison d'être of being a practical tool.

Here's mine:


Zenith:


6265:

[Vivalas]

I hear what people are saying about it being easy to get hold of a Daytona, well it's not that easy. Pre owned yes, but brand new no. I got mine last year brand new from an AD purely because the intended buyer didn't come up with the cash. I'd spent years of popping in AD's all over the world enquiring and never came up with zip!

Yes I agree they are easier to buy brand new now than before and yes many people here have done that, but there are many many more that haven't been able to buy brand new from an AD. This might not be a big thing to others, but to me buying new from an AD means a lot - when I pass it to my son, it will have only been own and worn by us.

[aleeboy]

The Daytona is an icon, so is the Submariner. Does it matter is you aren't the only person that wears one? For me not. Does it matter it doesn't cost 6 digits.

It is a beautiful watch and it certainly is not entry level at all.

And regarding availability, I've only ever seen a white dial in an authorised dealer/ boutique. They are hard to come by brand new... just like the Sub. This means many people have bought a Daytona and flipped them, hence the grey market being a channel where you can easily get a hold of one. But not everyone likes to buy used/ grey, so it's still a hard to get model.

[sunnyd]

Originally Posted by Vaxe

While I much prefer this modern ref in terms of wearability and comfort, the silvery subdials w/ black font are unreadable in direct sunlight. It's the first Daytona without white/black contrasting subdials and this flaw, IMO, kills its raison d'être of being a practical tool.

...And that's the reason I'd go with a 16520 in white when I'm ready for a Daytona.

[RFX45]

Really confused about the question.

A $12k watch cannot be called entry-level for the brand unless it is the cheapest one they make. For Rolex, that is surely not the case.


If the OP meant entry-level to the world of Daytonas then isn't it obvious that the answer is yes considering it is the cheapest version of the Daytona? It is the one that most will have access with?

[locutus49]

There is a Youtube guy (who is banned from TRF but his last name is Luxury) who claimed that Rolex is the entry level luxury watch. But more recently he elevated Rolex to a mid-tier luxury watch. So these opinions are pretty varied, and change with time.

Originally Posted by RFX45

Really confused about the question.

A $12k watch cannot be called entry-level for the brand unless it is the cheapest one they make. For Rolex, that is surely not the case.


If the OP meant entry-level to the world of Daytonas then isn't it obvious that the answer is yes considering it is the cheapest version of the Daytona? It is the one that most will have access with?

[aleeboy]

Originally Posted by RFX45

Really confused about the question.

A $12k watch cannot be called entry-level for the brand unless it is the cheapest one they make. For Rolex, that is surely not the case.


If the OP meant entry-level to the world of Daytonas then isn't it obvious that the answer is yes considering it is the cheapest version of the Daytona? It is the one that most will have access with?

The SS Daytona typically costs more than its TT counterparts from what I have seen.

I guess what the OP's saying is exactly how marketers would like their customers to think. Buy a very expensive SS model and also buy a gold model. Win for the Manufacturer and feelings of relegation for the customer. It's perfectly human.

[Racerdj]

My vote is that it is an icon!

[locutus49]

Originally Posted by Racerdj

My vote is that it is an icon!

I think I'll write a book, "The Iconography of the Rolex Daytona." Except I'm basically too lazy to even finish this sentence

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by CHRONOLEX

I'm just reading the comments this morning. I wanted to clarify that my use of the term "entry level" was entirely with respect to the Daytona line itself. It's the only model I'm aware of that is offered in every metal combination Rolex offers and my comments were about moving from SS to something else. So sorry if that wasn't clear and offended anyone.

I wasn't offended, but I have never believed that entry-level is a term that applies to Rolex and somewhere on these boards, I go into some depth as to why I believe as I do.

[zion_rasta]

I don't see anything Rolex as "entry level"...

[CHRONOLEX]

In my defense - entry level implies that you're entering into something that has multiple levels and that those levels are aspirational to ascend. By saying entry level here it was only with respect to entering the Daytona line itself (not Rolex as a whole so please calm down) and whether the SS is generally viewed as stand-alone the best or whether people start with SS and then move up through the line. As Dr Tom has said many times, he's on his 10th and presumably has moved through a SS or two in his time. This was a question about personal preference and learning more about what our membership thinks about the modern SS in a greater context. If you've seen a few of my other postings, I myself have a black SS Daytona that I was able to buy new from an AD last year and also a WG Daytona w/ meteorite on a strap. Recently I mentioned I might roll the SS and WG w/ strap together for a full bracelet WG and most people said that was advisable. So my question here was to help me decide whether I should hang on to the SS because of all the positive things everyone has said (which would require me to stretch financially) or just exit the SS with less additional cash out of pocket. I respect and appreciate the varied opinions and perspectives on this board and wanted to hear some opinions. Thank you all for reading this and for your contributions to this organization.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by CHRONOLEX

In my defense - entry level implies that you're entering into something that has multiple levels and that those levels are aspirational to ascend. By saying entry level here it was only with respect to entering the Daytona line itself (not Rolex as a whole so please calm down) and whether the SS is generally viewed as stand-alone the best or whether people start with SS and then move up through the line. As Dr Tom has said many times, he's on his 10th and presumably has moved through a SS or two in his time. This was a question about personal preference and learning more about what our membership thinks about the modern SS in a greater context. If you've seen a few of my other postings, I myself have a black SS Daytona that I was able to buy new from an AD last year and also a WG Daytona w/ meteorite on a strap. Recently I mentioned I might roll the SS and WG w/ strap together for a full bracelet WG and most people said that was advisable. So my question here was to help me decide whether I should hang on to the SS because of all the positive things everyone has said (which would require me to stretch financially) or just exit the SS with less additional cash out of pocket. I respect and appreciate the varied opinions and perspectives on this board and wanted to hear some opinions. Thank you all for reading this and for your contributions to this organization.

All good will look for your incoming!!

[Ruud Van Driver]

Whether the SS Daytona is easy to get hold of depends on where you live. I phoned two ADs in the UK (one where I 'live' and one where I'm from). The first told me there was a five year wait and the second told me there was a five to seven year wait. I also phoned an AD in Geneva and the chap on the phone told me it was a five year wait. Yet here in Singapore, you could almost certainly find one SS piece if you took the time to visit every AD; you might have to wait a month if you were unlucky and the black face would set you back between S$ 500 to S$ 3500 above retail (£244/US$ 392 to £1710/US$ 2750). The white face runs at retail.

Personally, I think it's an icon. Even if/when a ceramic bezel arrives, IMHO I still think it will be sought after and command a respectable premium on the used market.

JJ: if you can pick a new one up for $10,000, I'd snap the seller's arm off!

[aandrianto]

Originally Posted by capote

There was a time when the SS was very hard to get. That made it very popular. When/if the SS gets a ceramic bezel the steel bezel version will flood the used market.

Gawd im waiting for it...SS daytona ceramic... Panda dial....perfect!!!!