Daytona Alternatives

[Halifax Daytona UK]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Vacheron 5500V if you have the wrist for it.

3 months after getting it I sold the Daytona. One is a $32,000 watch and the other... not so much.





At a lower price point I'd be all over the new sapphire sandwich Omega speedy. I like it better in the flesh than the white zenith chronomaster I tried a couple weeks ago.

The VC is awesome.

[asiparks]

Good article !

everyone has already mentioned the Speedy, Tudor, El Primero and VC overseas, I'd add the sublime Breguet XXI, Blancpain LeMans Big Date, JLC Polaris, Blancpain Bathyscaphe and the Speedmaster Racing Master Chrono as an automatic alternative to the Speedy.. For older watches, the classic, humble 7750 powered, IWC 3717 and 3706 and anything with a Lemania 5100, especially Sinn.

And sorry, I'd take any of those over a Daytona at MSRP, unless I could sell it straight way to buy 5 or 6 from the above list...

I guess a lot depends on whether you want an easily legible chrono or a watch that's a bit fancier because it has extra dials and buttons on it....

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by dannyp

No longer made, but the JLC compressor was really a thing of beauty.

Originally Posted by McLovin

I wish JLC would bring the Master Compressors back. They were really stretching the envelope then and just aren’t now in the sports watch line.

Absolutely agree. This is my favorite chronograph. I’ve had two Daytonas and they just don’t do it for me. Great watches, but they just don’t excite me like the JLC, and some others.

[htc8p]

chronographs are the nicest complications.

i purposely avoided the daytona because I really didnt see the value of it.
the zenith el primero was the source of the daytona
the jlc master compressor chrono build quality is way better than the daytona
the moonwatch is the space conqueror.
the navitimer is also iconic in its own right

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

I totally get the allure of the Daytona, it's a difficult / impossible watch to replace with an alternative. Although we can't deny that part of its allure is it's difficulty to obtain and its value retention. I would go for the Laureato for sure over a two-tone Daytona though, and the Speedy comes in plenty of different sizes from its current year and many models in its history.

The small Speedy is a composite movement and nowhere near as robust as the original. I owned one and had problems with it. I love my two Daytonas (neither is SS) and as you said, it's difficult to impossible to replace with an alternative. The Daytonas are a definite; they are a known entity with rock solid performance. The rest of the choice are far less known. "All that glitters isn't golden."

[Gerry62]

if it's just a watch that cant be replaced.
I am convinced but I really like Tribute to Deepsea by
Jaeger Le Coultre

[Savwar]

I will wait for a Daytona if I want a Daytona, or I will go grey, and that is what I did.

[Krash]

I have a Speedmaster. Definitely deserves to be on this list.

If I get another Chrono, it will be this:




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[samson66]

Originally Posted by scottwmitch

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Originally Posted by Stealthdriver

I tried on the Zenith last week, it's amazing.

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This and That. I prefer the Zenith over the Daytona. They look amazing and are actually obtainable. I think the tenth second chrono hand is pretty cool too. And don't forget that display caseback and beautiful movement underneath

[HbbDiesel]

Tudor Big Block Valjoux 7750 if you are ready to go vintage,it is thick but i can live whit that.

[HMHM]

Honestly speaking, if you take off the Tudor and Rolex logo from both watches respectively, the Tudor feels absolutely fantastic on the wrist! The weight of the Black Bay Chronograph feels well weighted. The aluminium bezel gives it a vintage 6263 'Big Red' feel. The screw down pushers feel EXACTLY like those on the 116500LN. If you don't believe me, you have to try both the pushers blind folded and you can't tell the difference. I like that the Tudor does not have a cyclops like the 116500, giving it a clean look. It also has a vertical clutch like the 116500. The only part I dislike about the Tudor is its clasp and the snow flake hour hand but for its price, I think the Tudor chronograph is a winner! and less of a hurdle to obtain one.

The Daytona is a dressier watch, while the Tudor is a tool watch. If you want to impress someone, wear the Daytona. If you want to wear a watch, wear the Tudor.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Absolutely agree. This is my favorite chronograph. I’ve had two Daytonas and they just don’t do it for me. Great watches, but they just don’t excite me like the JLC, and some others.

Originally Posted by Gerry62

if it's just a watch that cant be replaced.
I am convinced but I really like Tribute to Deepsea by
Jaeger Le Coultre

I like these JLC Chronographs. IMO JLC is the best bang for the buck Chrono in the Daytona MSRP range. They make some really interesting watches

[amphr1]

Don't hate, but i want to mention Tag Heuer Carrera, one of the few watches that explicitly have a car linked to their name. I know it's not at the same level as Daytona, but I personally will not strap a Daytona on my wrist and pull any G on a race track, if that is the intended purpose.

I have the Speedmaster Moonwatch, which IMHO is not a racing watch, but it's one of my favorite.

[amphr1]

Also I agree with others. If you want a Daytona, you need to just fork out that $$$$ get a Daytona in the grey market!

[JSolution]

Those VC overseas just make me want to buy one now I went through about 30 pages on pictures on another thread it’s so nice.

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by TimeAZ

Nice write-up.

I think some additional alternatives that are of interest are the Tudor Prince Tiger Chronographs (long discontinued but excellent design and aesthetic, running on Valjoux 7750) and at the current market-price of a secondary Daytona, the VC Overseas Chrono and AP RO Chrono are great options as well.

I’ve been looking for a Chrono to round out my collection. Not gonna deny I’m fully invested in Rolex, but other than the WG Daytona on OF, I’ve never been drawn to them. So my first non-Rolex will probably be a chrono and I’m becoming obsessed with the VC overseas. Come to think of it, flipping a Daytona for a VC may be the way to go

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by DCheeta

Absolutely agree. This is my favorite chronograph. I’ve had two Daytonas and they just don’t do it for me. Great watches, but they just don’t excite me like the JLC, and some others.

Gorgeous piece!

[Fort Rolex]

Originally Posted by AzHadEnuf

Criminally underrated

[JSol1]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Vacheron 5500V if you have the wrist for it.

3 months after getting it I sold the Daytona. One is a $32,000 watch and the other... not so much.





At a lower price point I'd be all over the new sapphire sandwich Omega speedy. I like it better in the flesh than the white zenith chronomaster I tried a couple weeks ago.

Stunning VC! Unfortunately I don’t have the wrist for this one...

[alas26]

Maybe a little bit of a stretch, but the Zenith A384 has held off as an alternative in my book.

Very interesting points on your first pick!


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[dkg1616]

Great article!! All fantastic watches as well!

I was lucky enough to get my Daytona at retail without crazy historical spend, or else the speedy / Tudor would be on the menu.

[Soarer]

This is what I am after right now! Omega Speedmaster Racing Co-axial 40mm.
It's got the history, high-tech movement, solid bracelet, right mix of colors and of course the date!
What more can you ask?

[DCheeta]

Originally Posted by amphora001

Don't hate, but i want to mention Tag Heuer Carrera, one of the few watches that explicitly have a car linked to their name. I know it's not at the same level as Daytona, but I personally will not strap a Daytona on my wrist and pull any G on a race track, if that is the intended purpose.

I have the Speedmaster Moonwatch, which IMHO is not a racing watch, but it's one of my favorite.

I would hope there would be no hate! The Carrera is a fantastic watch with loads of real heritage and solid racing credentials. The in-house movement in the latest versions also features the column wheel and vertical clutch that people love to say is so important these days.

[subtona]

speedy

[asiparks]

Given the current pricing, I'd add another $2K and splurge on the LE 50th anniversary of 11 Speedmaster ....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QgIJgHXigMs

[Singslinger]

Lots of great suggestions.

I'll add another into the mix - the Sinn 103.

[HogwldFLTR]

Really surprised this is continuing in the Rolex and Tudor subforum as clearly it's pretty much only about other brands; I guess the mentioned Tudor is its redeeming value.

[6XYBE63ST]

the daytona is a beautiful watch but too small for my wrist. panerai does it for me and they offer a plethora of chrono's. chrono to chrono

[6XYBE63ST]

[6XYBE63ST]