Daytona VS. Daytona C

[Mellowgc]

Now that the new Daytonas have started to deliver, they are more pictures and reviews about them, and the more I look at them, the more I like the old one (the 116520) better. Especially when it comes the white one. I think the black and white contrast makes the watch look too sporty and "cheapens it" in my opinion. It seems one of the reason many seem to like the newer Daytona - other than the pure hype of having a hard to get Rolex - is that it is apparently reminiscent of a 6263. But let's be honest. Although very good looking, this new Daytona looks nothing like a 6263. Furthermore, the ceramic bezel has very little utility in comparison to the one on a submariner for example. The old sub bezels faded with time, but steel doesn't, so why replace it? Yes, ceramic is scratch resistant, but I also think that scratches give a watch character and I like them.

I do, however, prefer the black Daytona C to the old black Daytona. I always thought the old one lacked something. Maybe it's just from habit of seeing many black chronos with a black bezel (Omega's for example).

Perhaps, after seeing the white Daytona C in circulation for a few years, my brain will adapt to the new look, but in the mean time I will keep my white 116520 and call my AD to change my order from a white Daytona C to a black one.

As always, looking forward to your thoughts. And thank you in advance.

[japenney]

Black dial is growing on me. Both are nice and much sportier than the 116520. Both have their place. I dont think the 116500 looks cheap at all. I think some photos do not do it justice.

[GB-man]

Lucky for you! I'm in a similar boat in that I much prefer the 116600 to the 116610. Sometimes the market doesn't follow our tastes and we can get good deals etc

[L55HEM]

DaytonaC is very nice but looks a little like a Tag Formula 1 watch. I definitely prefer the previous model with white dial

[landroverking]

For me Rolex missed the boat without a true panda.
The black dial with the small changes is one I like too.

[YoureTerrific]

Originally Posted by landroverking

For me Rolex missed the boat without a true panda.

The black dial with the small changes is one I like too.

I think Rolex knows how desirable a true panda would be and thus might reserve it for a precious metal Daytona a la the white gold Pepsi GMT.

It seems to me that they want to give people what they want, but not everything and not all at once.

Even so the white Daytona C is my favorite modern version.

[masyv6]

Looks like you are in a good spot then! Your tastes are opposite of the current hype. Should net you a good deal on a stainless bezel Daytona.

[Daytona88]

I feel the same way. Love the 116520 white dial but would love to get my hands on a 116500 black dial!

[AlbertOC]

I really like the Ceramic Daytona 116500LN. I wasn't against the non-ceramic bezels but that was always put off by the bezel just because of how easy it is to scratch it and, due to the numbers being lightly engraved/painted, it wasn't necessarily easy to polish the bezel. The ceramic bezel definitely takes care of that though!

[Bulliondesk]

Great shot Albert for comparison. Need a black one now!

[W44NEG]

Bottom line, you can't go wrong with any of them. I personally prefer the new models (I own one but not being biased) as I feel it's more wearable, and the bezel font looks more modern etc. I still love the older model, but when I've owned them, I've worried about knocking them etc.

[Sal_UKSheffield]

I so badly wanted the daytona - but when i saw it in person the shiny subdials and steel bezel where just too much for me - too much bling.

The new ones are perfect imo - need to see them in person though

[fskywalker]

I prefer the new ceramic bezel to the old shiny SS bezel, but would rather buy an used 116520 and do the ceramic bezel conversion as plan to use a Panda dial from the WG series anyway.

[Sublovin]

Are you trying to convince yourself? I completely disagree...the new cramic model and the older Zenith model both surpass the 116520 , but if you really feel that way, thats great because the 116520 is easy to find at a good price....grab one!

[regnant]

I prefer ceramic bezel and placed my order on the black dial.

[Dusko.Popov]

Just don't like the old shiny bezels. At all.

[simongpaez]

I agree with you I like the "old" white dial better than the new one, for the black dial I do like the ceramic better, but still love "old" one.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

I prefer the new ceramic bezel to the old shiny SS bezel, but would rather buy an used 116520 and do the ceramic bezel conversion as plan to use a Panda dial from the WG series anyway.

Would agree up to a point when they first launched the Daytona back in 2000 they should have put a black insert like on the 6263,then the Daytona would have been a far better looking watch IMO. There is no need for follow the today fashion with expensive ceramic,the insert on my 6263 is now 34 years old yet not a scratch or any fade.The 4130 is a fantastic movement but IMHO the ceramic bezel just makes it too bling like for me and as for the dial changes they are so minuscule on the SS you will have to look real hard to even notice.Myself not a fan of franken watches but its your watch and I believe you should be able to do what you want with your watch, as long as you use genuine parts.

[watchwatcher]

Originally Posted by Mellowgc

...but in the mean time I will keep my white 116520 and call my AD to change my order from a white Daytona C to a black one.

As always, looking forward to your thoughts. And thank you in advance.

I think that's a great plan...best of both worlds for you. I don't exactly agree with your thoughts on the white, but I think with the black ceramic and white 116520, you will have the bases covered.

[Solo118]

The 116520 is still pure class in my eyes, and always will be. The 116500 is for the next generation I guess? I am really excited to pick one up, but trust me the 116520 would still keep me very happy until a 116500 came along.

[Boaters]

I am really starting to like the white dial ceramic

[RobJordan]

I would say the Ceramic is more 'cool' but the stainless bezel is more 'classic'

[wisguy]

Used to own a white 116520.

I love the new 116500 but does anyone share the thoght that it has become a lot sportier and less under the radar?

The 116520 went relatively unnoticed and could work with more formal attire, not anymore in my mind.

[WAK4]

NO NO NO NO NO! All of you people now starting to like the black ceramic Daytona can just knock it off. I was very happy being the minority while I wait for mine to arrive with everyone looking to the white instead.

Once I have mine, THEN you can all have your "come to the black" moment.

Now that I got that out, I'm very happy with the 116520 in white...for some reason the 116500 in white just doesn't sit right for me as far as how it looks. Which is odd since I normally go more for "sporty" which is how I often see this version referred to as being.

Doesn't mean I won't own one at some point, but black is definitely my first target. So any high rollers in NJ, just keep looking to the white until I have my black 116500 on my wrist. Thanks in advance for your anticipated cooperation

[cmcm3]

Best of both worlds...

[beshannon]

I will gladly keep my white dial 116520

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by WAK4

NO NO NO NO NO! All of you people now starting to like the black ceramic Daytona can just knock it off. I was very happy being the minority while I wait for mine to arrive with everyone looking to the white instead.



Once I have mine, THEN you can all have your "come to the black" moment.



Now that I got that out, I'm very happy with the 116520 in white...for some reason the 116500 in white just doesn't sit right for me as far as how it looks. Which is odd since I normally go more for "sporty" which is how I often see this version referred to as being.



Doesn't mean I won't own one at some point, but black is definitely my first target. So any high rollers in NJ, just keep looking to the white until I have my black 116500 on my wrist. Thanks in advance for your anticipated cooperation

[Secretariat]

Originally Posted by cmcm3

Best of both worlds...

I prefer this, 16520, than both the 116520 and 116500.

[sunspot2013]

As someone that has a white dial 116520, I think the 16520 (either white or black) strikes the perfect balance between sports watch and versatile everyday wearer. For the 116500, I am leaning more towards the black dial but need to see them in person to really decide.

[Racerdj]

I like the ceramic bezel to eliminate some scratches.