Educate me on Two-Tone Daytona's

[xlr8by]

I know I have asked a lot of questions on this board about a lot of different watches, but can someone provide an overview of the two-tone Daytona such as changes made to the watch over the years and which serial numbers are more sought after.... Some pics wouldn't hurt either I realize that the new Daytona has the ceramic bezel and I'm sure the SS and two-tone will follow at some point, but there is just something I like about the gold bezel of the current two-tone.

[evilfij]

Assuming you mean relatively new daytonas, there was the "zenith movement" daytona from 1988 to 2000 and the current 4130 rolex inhouse movement daytona which has been around since then.

Beyond that, the only big differences are the dials. Rolex came out with the panda (sometimes called spitfire) with arabic a couple years ago and the blue with arabic at about the same time (need to check as I am no expert). Otherwise you can get white, champange, or black and a few rarer dials.

[xlr8by]

Originally Posted by evilfij

Assuming you mean relatively new daytonas, there was the "zenith movement" daytona from 1988 to 2000 and the current 4130 rolex inhouse movement daytona which has been around since then.

Beyond that, the only big differences are the dials. Rolex came out with the panda (sometimes called spitfire) with arabic a couple years ago and the blue with arabic at about the same time (need to check as I am no expert). Otherwise you can get white, champange, or black and a few rarer dials.

When was the change to Solid end links made? Also, are the gold links hollow or solid on the two-tones? Why are the two-tones often less than the SS, even though there are soo many more dial choices?

[Tools]

Originally Posted by xlr8by

When was the change to Solid end links made? Also, are the gold links hollow or solid on the two-tones? Why are the two-tones often less than the SS, even though there are soo many more dial choices?

The solid end-links came out with the latest 116523, in-house 4130 movement models.. That's also when the Daytona began sporting a solid centerlink bracelet too, as well as a modern machined clasp.

The Two Tone models are not as popular as the SS models, and so, on the used market they are less expensive... Supply and demand economics..

They are identical in function and use so the Two Tone can be a very good value..

[dpkong]

the 16523 model Daytona has a 4030 movement which is Zenith based. the 116523 has a 4130 Rolex in-house movement.

the 116523 has SEL and a new clasp design. there are 2 types of the new design but i'm not sure when it changed. some 16523 also have SEL like my P-series.

the 116523 has solid centre links while the 16523 has hollow ones.

the 116523 has polished lugs while the 16523 has brushed lugs.

there are more dial choices for the 116523.

and here's a picture to ease the trigger-pulling...

[KingJames]

Originally Posted by dpkong

the 16523 model Daytona has a 4030 movement which is Zenith based. the 116523 has a 4130 Rolex in-house movement.

the 116523 has SEL and a new clasp design. there are 2 types of the new design but i'm not sure when it changed. some 16523 also have SEL like my P-series.

the 116523 has solid centre links while the 16523 has hollow ones.

the 116523 has polished lugs while the 16523 has brushed lugs.

there are more dial choices for the 116523.

and here's a picture to ease the trigger-pulling...

WOW! Thats a stunner...

[horseco]

Originally Posted by Tools

The solid end-links came out with the latest 116523, in-house 4130 movement models.. That's also when the Daytona began sporting a solid centerlink bracelet too, as well as a modern machined clasp.

The Two Tone models are not as popular as the SS models, and so, on the used market they are less expensive... Supply and demand economics..

They are identical in function and use so the Two Tone can be a very good value..

Actually the last Zenith model, A serial # had solid end links