Is the 116500 the perfect steel Daytona?

[majidessa]

I think the 116520 is the best best Daytona out there especially the white face, it combines classic design with modern looks which makes it timeless.

[LPan]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

The 991.2 is very, very good. The GTS is the sweet spot for those. I agree with you.

I have a black dial 116500 and agree, for me it is peak and the most aesthetically pleasing.

With regards to 911, i came from 996, then 997.1, 997.2 GTS and now own a 991.1 GTS and it is the peak for me. Best all round package and the last of the NA engines which is key!

[jb335]

Totally subjective for sure, and I don’t agree with any of your favorite models. Literally none. 16610 over a 5513?!


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[prnceofpersia23]

Originally Posted by Mystro

The 116500 Daytona will go down as the pinnacle of the modern Daytona.
As far as the 911 and owning every model over the last 30+ years.
The ultimate modern 911 would be the 991.2 from my perspective.
991.2 was perfection in build quality, materials, design and performance. Everything was just dialed in and the torque was significantly stronger from low rpm’s all the way up. You had all the tech with out it dominating the interior design and the build options were at the very top without Covid compromise.
I sold my 992 and searched for a for a top 991.2 Exclusive Manufaktur model.

On a side note: TRF is such a fun place for so many reasons besides watches as many of us have so many similar passions outside of our time pieces..

One day I'll pair my 116500 with a 991.2 base Carrera in Graphite Blue! Although the 991.1 50th Anniversary has always had my attention as well.

Side note, I've always considered the Rolex Daytona to be the Porsche 911 of the watch world.

[garyk]

I believe the 116500 is the best Daytona but I have not seen the new one IRL. Multiple experts and articles, comparisons etc say that not only is the 992 base 911 Carrera the best but it’s the best sports car in the world and no reason to spend the extra money for the S motor version. I traded my wonderful 2013 991 911 Cabriolet for my new one and I’m thrilled with the new car…I also agree with Mystro here as to TRF being fun for more than just watches…







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[envuks]

For me it is, but I’m also bias as a 116500 owner.

So grateful to have it….


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[Watcheroo]

I personally think the black dial 116500 is super dynamic and super elegant at the same time. My favorite for sure, but I’m biased.

The 6263 big red with silver dial is a stunner as well.

[Pablito]

White: 116500
Black: 126500

And as a former Porsche owner, It might sound weird but the 500hp 997.2 GT3 4.0 Is my pinnacle ! :D

[Mystro]

Got to chime in with all the great 911 owners and passion for the brand. FYI: I am a PCA concourse judge and probably will add another piece of the Mystro puzzle why I am ocd with the condition of my timepieces. (Its a sickness)
I have learned all the tricks over 30+ years of PCA concourse and apply some of the ideas and principles to keeping up my watches.

[Smurf_75]

The new Daytona wears incredibly well.... I fell in love with it at a recent event. As for 911's, the first gen 991 is the dogs danglies. Streets ahead of the 997 and a much nicer car all round.

[Driver8]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

Damn, that's good looking.

It amazes me how such subtle changes have changed the Daytona from something that honestly didn't do a thing for me in 116500 guise, into something (126500) that I really want to buy - hence why I got myself on the list at my AD. With those symmetrical lugs, it just looks "right" somehow now. Plus I love the vintage look of the bezel ring.

[Chiboy]

A few thoughts:

1) Buy the hype to wear the hype; nothing more than $$$€€€; etc. This rant, which I think I've read a very similar version of maybe 100 times, has absolutely nothing to do with the OPs thesis, except that the subject is Daytonas.

2) Great to see so much love for the 991.1. I do think/hope that it will be sought after for being the last of the naturally aspirated 911s like the 993 is the last of the oil-cooled models. We shall see. I love mine.

3) While I absolutely love the look of the 6263s, OP might be right about 116500s being the pinnacle, although the differences between it and the 126500s would probably go unnoticed by most non-forum members.

[Big Tex Rolex]

Is it fair to say that, in the 12 Series the Black Dial might be the preferred of the Black vs. White ???

Whereas the White was preferred (by polls and secondary market pricing evidence) over the Black in the 11 Series.

[BNA/LION]

Yes, I think so.

[espanol]

No contemporary Rolex with PCLs will ever be perfect. Ditch them and then we’ll talk.

[AD337]

Originally Posted by Mystro

The 116500 Daytona will go down as the pinnacle of the modern Daytona.
As far as the 911 and owning every model over the last 30+ years.
The ultimate modern 911 would be the 991.2 from my perspective.
991.2 was perfection in build quality, materials, design and performance. Everything was just dialed in and the torque was significantly stronger from low rpm’s all the way up. You had all the tech with out it dominating the interior design and the build options were at the very top without Covid compromise.
I sold my 992 and searched for a for a top 991.2 Exclusive Manufaktur model.

On a side note: TRF is such a fun place for so many reasons besides watches as many of us have so many similar passions outside of our time pieces..

991.2 LOVE!!! Also, I love my 116500ln (white) but I have to admit - I actually love the look of the new 12 series one too, and I may even end up preferring it.. It’s not so much about the overall look as it is about the ever-so-slightly larger size due to case shape proportions and so on…. I love my Daytona as said, but my one and ONLY gripe about it is that it’s (for me) just a TOUCH too small in size.. I have a 7.5 inch wrist but am extremely lean and muscular (I only mention this because I dont have that big soft fat-guy wrist look) but even still just due to the circumference being above average.. i feel like that 12 series might be that slight touch of increase in size that I need in order to make it look alittle better on me..

Either way, I love them both.. I got my Daytona from AD and I know I’ll never get the new one anyway so I guess none of this is all that relevant anyway lol!

Anyway let’s see a Porsche pic! You always take great watch shots !!

[garyk]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

I love my 116500 white dial from 2017. If I had the opportunity to buy one of the new model, this black dial watch looks amazing! Nice!!

[BraveBold]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

The 997.2 is the greatest (to date) of the 911s. The clearest reason it is regarded as better than 991 is simple - hydraulic steering.

Is there something about the 116500 that makes it superior to its successor in the same way? I have a 116500ln but also waitlist for the latest white gold release. I would need convincing.

[Tensai]

116500 are perfect, agreed.
126500, with the clunky steel ring around them, are the best of the Tudor chronos :)

[kl2244]

Without a doubt. it is the best Daytona.

[daysky1]

[daysky1]

I was sold a black dial Daytona 2 years ago from the owner of a local AD, then on 6/3/23 the manager, his grandson sold me the (now discontinued ref) matching white dial. I wanted to post a picture but don't have a url...I tried imgur, I have an image posted there but am unable to copy and post my photo. When I tried to all that was showing here was the text of my ? url...my picture is listed as hidden on imgur as I only wanted to show it here... any ideas how to make this work?

[VastHorizon]

Originally Posted by daysky1

I was sold a black dial Daytona 2 years ago from the owner of a local AD, then on 6/3/23 the manager, his grandson sold me the (now discontinued ref) matching white dial. I wanted to post a picture but don't have a url...I tried imgur, I have an image posted there but am unable to copy and post my photo. When I tried to all that was showing here was the text of my ? url...my picture is listed as hidden on imgur as I only wanted to show it here... any ideas how to make this work?

[Johnnynic]

997.2 was the sweet spot for me. 991, the car looks like it was on steroids.

116500 was the sweet spot too.

Nice wrist pic of the new one through..

[1665fan]

Long live the 16520……the GOAT

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

+1 Also think the 126500 looks nicer than the older 116500


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[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by prnceofpersia23

One day I'll pair my 116500 with a 991.2 base Carrera in Graphite Blue! Although the 991.1 50th Anniversary has always had my attention as well.

Side note, I've always considered the Rolex Daytona to be the Porsche 911 of the watch world.

Love the 991.2, same great shape as the 991.1 (without the lobster back), much, much quicker. Sound in the 991.1 NA is amazing, though.

The 50th anniversary is probably my most favorite 991 of all time, though.

[jaisonline]

As someone who started their 116500 journey in early 2018, I can type “yes”. To me, the. 116500 is the perfect SS Daytona. It’s fit, weight, and feel is nearly identical to my 16520 but has a much improved clasp and more legible dial for these older eyes.

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=617563

I also agree about the 16710 being the perfect SS GMT. Same for the 16610 being the perfect SS Submariner.

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by Smurf_75

The new Daytona wears incredibly well.... I fell in love with it at a recent event. As for 911's, the first gen 991 is the dogs danglies. Streets ahead of the 997 and a much nicer car all round.

Looks incredible.

[Fserial]

991 is an objectively better car for sure but as far as the original 911 formula goes, one can argue that 997.2 was the last “analog sports car” 911 (size, handling, steering, look, 6-speed MT…) while the 991 is the first GT 911 - which is a deviation from the original formula.
Very similar to GMT-Master evolution to Pepsi 126710 from Pepsi 16710 - it’s an objectively better watch but the case, lugs, crown, bezel just feel too remote from the original…
Too early to tell but it seems like the 126500 (with its reshaped case) is taking the steel Daytona in a similar direction.