Daytona Devil's Advocate

[Etschell]

To me it is the 2nd best ss watch rolex makes. Hard to beat the subc.

[Buckeye4life]

Originally Posted by soundserious

Perhaps a vintage Daytona would suit you better? Simpler dials with nice contrast.

I totally agree, I like the look of the vintage daytonas a lot more. In due time, perhaps!

[Buckeye4life]

This is great feedback. The Daytona might be the most "rolex" of all rolexes. Why spend money on a Rolex when phones and quartz watches do the same for much less? It's because we appreciate the history, engineering, quality, and design. Likewise, within the Rolex lineup, why get a Daytona when other dials are maybe easier to read? It seems like the answer is simply because of the appreciation of the history and design.

I live in a small town and my only AD is only open until 1730 during the week so I plan to stop in on Saturday, get my wife's rings cleaned, and look at some Daytonas. If my wife is with me I'm sure I won't buy anything but I'll at least get some wrist shots to share here.

[GB-man]

The whole package is a thing of beauty. Yeah the sub dials are hard to read but then again who cares! It's super comfortable and the case porportions are just right imho.

[bobby81]

I have to say that I fell in love with it when I went to pick up my Sub from a Jeweller's in the UK but I still purchased the Sub the blue Sunburst Dial was magnificent. But I never forgot the Daytona so a few month's ago I flew to the UK to pick up the Daytona 116503 & I just love it the Sub is hardly wore at all. Next year I will be travelling to the UK again to pick up the full Gold Daytona. As for size you have a very valid point although they are both 40 mm next to the Sub with the new Maxi Case the Daytona does look a bit small

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by bobby81

I have to say that I fell in love with it when I went to pick up my Sub from a Jeweller's in the UK but I still purchased the Sub the blue Sunburst Dial was magnificent. But I never forgot the Daytona so a few month's ago I flew to the UK to pick up the Daytona 116503 & I just love it the Sub is hardly wore at all. Next year I will be travelling to the UK again to pick up the full Gold Daytona. As for size you have a very valid point although they are both 40 mm next to the Sub with the new Maxi Case the Daytona does look a bit small

They aren't both 40mm. Measure a Daytona.

[Ruud Van Driver]

I have a black dial 116520. I was in a minority when I picked it over the white dial because I found it much easier to read in the bright sunlight. I'm also in a minority because I much prefer it to the ceramic bezel reference.

I'm a Daytona fan. It's not my favourite reference and it would get left behind in a zombie apocalypse but I do like it and would be very reluctant to part with mine. The hype over the new Daytona C gets up my nose. If I were offered a ceramic bezel version to replace mine, the only one that would mildly interest me is the rose gold/chocolate reference.

[bobby81]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

They aren't both 40mm. Measure a Daytona.

I am going by Rolex, They sell at 40 mm you will probably say that it's 39 mm but Rolex market's them as 40 mm. So that's good enough for me. Who am I to say otherwise

[JP Chestnut]

Originally Posted by bobby81

I am going by Rolex, They sell at 40 mm you will probably say that it's 39 mm but Rolex market's them as 40 mm. So that's good enough for me. Who am I to say otherwise

Uh... ok. Size isn't relative, but whatever. Keep on wondering why it wears small.

[bobby81]

Originally Posted by JP Chestnut

Uh... ok. Size isn't relative, but whatever. Keep on wondering why it wears small.

Yes they look smaller than the other sport's model's but in the case of the Sub it's due to the Maxi case. I have seen them side by side & in my opinion it's down to the case

[Shamorai]

I've never used mine to time anything, and it's not as easy to read as some other models, but boy does it look good when it pops out from my shirt sleeve!

[airchitect]

It is a nice watch.......and would prob be a great watch at 42mm. But I'll save 10k and buy an SMP over it all day.

[zama]

I love my WG Daytona, I use the functions more than I expect my wife often wants time measured, I sometimes use it cooking, and having just attended the Le Mans 24 hour i used it a lot measure lap times of the cars. I don't find them small, my other rolex is a 36mm DD so it comes down to how you train your brain.

[m j b]

The white dial SS Daytona was always my grail, and finally late last year I bought an 116520. I could not tell what the time was. Those silver hands on the white face became invisible. It wears small, but I was OK with that, loved the "look" and history of the Daytona, but it just wasn't for me. I flipped it within a week.

[Mick P]

Chaps

I have 5 Rolex and the Daytona Zenith 16520 is my least liked model, in fact I think I was mentally insane for buying it in the first place.

I read the hype, did the research and like everyone else fell in love with the pics and the write ups etc. I asked questions and eventually aimed for a white dial P series 16520 with SELs and the latest clasp and luminova markers.

I located one, bought it and after a couple of weeks the love affair ended.

The watch is frankly bloody awful.

It looks good and is the right size, those are the positives.

However in reality, I bet less than 1% of us use it for the purpose it was made for. It seems to be a horological masterpiece with no useful purpose.

Despite being a white face, it is not easy to read without overdue concentration. The 16520 pushers are hard to push and aligning the minute and the second hands to set the precise time is an acquired art in itself.

The only reason I keep the thing is that it is an extremely good investment as prices still seem to be on the rise and if, one day, one of my sons wants it, they can have it.

I know it is a sought after and revered watch but for the hell of me, I cannot understand why.

Today I am wearing a humble 39mm Explorer (stubby version) and I reckon it is ten times better than the Daytona as it just looks more cool and Rolexy.

Regards

Mick

[padi56]

Originally Posted by droptopman

I am in the minority here. Not a Daytona fan. Wear too small and legibility is not great. Love them in pictures, dig the history and style, but just do not care for them on me. Tried several times over the years to love one, but they never stick around long.

Likewise not a modern Daytona fan much prefer the vintage ones like the 6263 not a fan of steel bezels even less of a fan of ceramic. Personally cannot understand the hype with the modern Daytona perhaps its because they were hard to get at retail, plus the internet hype portraying them as the greatest thing since sliced bread..

[epc2]

I've had two Daytonas in the past (both TT) and I agree with most pf you guys:

-They wear small
-Hard to read
-Will never use the Chrono Function
-Expensive to service

But they do look very cool and are very comfortable, it all comes to what you like but I'm sure that if it was a readily available model the story would be very different.

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by padi56

Likewise not a modern Daytona fan much prefer the vintage ones like the 6263 not a fan of steel bezels even less of a fan of ceramic. Personally cannot understand the hype with the modern Daytona perhaps its because they were hard to get at retail, plus the internet hype portraying them as the greatest thing since sliced bread..

Why are the vintage ones better, I think they are even worse than the new ones.

The 6263 and 6265 were hand wound and Rolex had to modify the movements to make them half decent. Back in their day, these watches were difficult to sell as nobody wanted them.

It was only when the 16520 came along that they became desirable.

It seems to be a case that the more grotty a Daytona is, the more sought after it becomes.

Regards

Mick

[landroverking]

All of the 80s I wore a Daytona to work. Sold moved on to other Chronographs, vintage and then speedmasters.
1998 back to Daytona (Zenith). Don't find it that hard to read.
Day to day work watch Tudor Tiger Chronograph.
But I still wear the Daytona and use it as well.

Kinda a long way around to say I'm on the opposite side.
Next up for me WG Daytona on a strap. Black dial.

[Rolexavidfan]

I love my white SS Daytona. It really looks nice on the wrist. It also wears comfortably. It doesn't look small and the weight of the watch is just right. Legibility is not an issue for me for the white dial.

I'm on the waitlist for a black Daytona C. This will contrast nicely on the white SS Daytona.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Desmodromic]

I have a Daytona in my lineup and love it. No, it's definitely not the most legible (quick) watch but it's iconic and for me, a cornerstone watch of the brand. Agree with the other comments that they are quite comfortable and easy to wear. For me, it's a dressier go-to and my (non-WIS) wife always comments when I wear it. I know she thinks it's one of the nicest looking pieces in my collection.

I probably wouldn't have a Daytona as my ONLY Rolex, personally - but I think it's a great piece for a collection.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Mick P

Why are the vintage ones better, I think they are even worse than the new ones.

The 6263 and 6265 were hand wound and Rolex had to modify the movements to make them half decent. Back in their day, these watches were difficult to sell as nobody wanted them.

It was only when the 16520 came along that they became desirable.

It seems to be a case that the more grotty a Daytona is, the more sought after it becomes.

Regards

Mick

Yes they were hand-wound with the Valjoux 72 and today many of the most valuable Rolex dont even have a Rolex made movement inside.And the only thing Rolex did to the Valjoux movement was to put the Rolex branding on the supplied ebauche movement much like the Zenith. But myself much prefered the overall dial style especially in the 6263 with the black aluminum bezel insert.And yes they were very poor sellers but today much more valuable than any modern day Daytona will ever be.

[richard371]

If they made it in 42 or 44 some people would complain it's too big. For me it's the perfect size on my 6.5" wrist. It's also the most comfortable watch I've owned. I'm over the big Omega 9300 POCs and Speedmasters. I've had my 500 white for almost 3 months now and have no desire to wear anything else. I hear no desire to even rotate it and am selling off the rest of my collection. In my opinion it's the best looking watch Rolex makes cirrently.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Buckeye4life

The daytona is widely considered one of the most iconic Rolexes around. Full disclosure: I've seen lots of pictures, but I have not tried one on or seen one in person.

Personally, it doesn't seem very easy to read, and how often do owners really utilize the complications? I struggle with all the hype. The ceramic, contrasting bezel helps, but doesn't make the dial less busy. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and daytonas are well-respected by millions of people. But I don't quite get it. Does anyone else feel this way? If you love the daytona, tell me what I could be missing.

My rolex is the milgauss which only tells time but is really easy to read. I also like DJs, DDs, and GMTIIs. My plan is to get feedback here before trying on a daytona and then see if trying it on wins me over.

Daytona is my favorite watch for a bunch of reasons, but to each his own
and it certainly isnt a watch for people with bad eye sight

[myc ritz]

The devil is in the details, and this thing has plenty! I love the size and comfort. Have other watches, but this and my lumed 214270 are all I ever need.

[NLYogi]

I guess the Daytona is a watch many people identify with, but they do not actually love it.

I can relate to the first post, evem more, I do not like the Daytona. Too much going on on that dial.

Want a chrono? Get a speedmaster.

[roger0770]

The recent hype in vintage Daytonas certainly helped with the "Daytona fever." I personally think it is a great looking watch; both vintage and modern. I agree that some dials are really busy and hard to read. It took me over 10 years to get over the date function, and probably never will. If you are not absolutely convinced this is a watch for you, please do not get it. 12k is a big chunk of cash to drop on something you do not love.

Btw, GO BLUE!

[Mystro]

I owned a Daytona years ago for about a week.
Didnt like it. Looked/wore too small on my wrist. I also needed a date function. I get what the Daytona is all about but it isnt for everyone.

Originally Posted by droptopman

I am in the minority here. Not a Daytona fan. Wear too small and legibility is not great. Love them in pictures, dig the history and style, but just do not care for them on me. Tried several times over the years to love one, but they never stick around long.

[joli160]

I like the aesthetics but need a date, no Daytona for me

[Mick P]

Originally Posted by padi56

Yes they were hand-wound with the Valjoux 72 and today many of the most valuable Rolex dont even have a Rolex made movement inside.And the only thing Rolex did to the Valjoux movement was to put the Rolex branding on the supplied ebauche movement much like the Zenith. But myself much prefered the overall dial style especially in the 6263 with the black aluminum bezel insert.And yes they were very poor sellers but today much more valuable than any modern day Daytona will ever be.

So we have stablished that the 6263's were difficult to sell and this was because they weren't that good. However like any Rolex that sells poorly, it later becomes rare and then expensive. Such is the madness of the vintage Rolex market.

Regards

Mick