Update: Going gold. Grail time. 116515 vs 116718? Or?

[sampelligrino]

Hey TRF, I need your expert testimony once again. Started a thread last week looking at getting a WG or YG 36mm DD. Well I went to my local AD to try both on, and in my humble opinion it was just way too small for me. Even with smaller wrists at 6.5 inches, I was blown away at how small the 36mm DD felt and looked on my wrist. Just my opinion though as I know others love the size.

Now, I've set my sights higher to the 20-21k range and that is where I'm drawing the line! I could save up for a month or two more and step into the 25-26k range to open the door to a DD2, or BNIB 116718 or 116618. But the most that I'm comfortable with is in that 20-21k range for my first precious metal piece. Don't want to spend more than that. I've lusted after the 116515LN ("chocotona" with the ceramic bezel on the leather strap) for the last couple years but always thought it was unobtainable for me. Now I can get it BNIB with my name on the card. Just waiting 2 more weeks to top off my "flop" account. But as I am inches away from getting my grail piece, I'm second guessing myself a little bit and for some reason trying to justify going for a used 116718 black dial instead. I do love the Daytona more. It's truly mesmerizing to look at in my ADs window. But living in Hawaii, as I posted a year ago, I'm worried about the humidity for the strap, the fact that I can't just jump in the shower with it on, and the fact that there is no adjustment if/when my wrists swell due to the heat. On the other hand, a LNIB 116718 will give me more "heft" and more gold due to the bracelet, I would be able to just rinse it off when it's very humid outside, and it has the ez extension. But it's not as under the radar as the Daytona, very bold, and I do admittedly prefer the look of the Daytona by a big margin. I'm in a good spot if I'm deciding between the two, I know :)

I just want to make sure that I get full use and enjoyment out of my Daytona if I pull the trigger on it. I'm set on the 116515 because I truly love the ceramic bezel and the entire color combination just fires on all cylinders in my opinion. None of the other Daytonas appeal to me as much honestly. I was thinking of putting a RubberB on it during the summer to at least let me be able to wash it regularly and alleviate some of my concerns regarding purchasing a "strap" Rolex. Never owned a strap watch with a clasp like this before. I think I would wear the 116515 more actually which means a lot to me, because it is not as flashy IMO.

I'm flipping my smooth bezel DJ2 for either purchase, and that would mean all I have left is my beloved 16710 and either a 116718 or a 116515. (I know I need to update my signature).

What do you guys think? Go after my grail piece and deal with some of the drawbacks of having it on a strap? Or get the more "practical" YG piece that might give me a bit more for the money?

Thanks as always!


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