Rolex Daytona Black vs. White

[Daytona Dreaming]

The new Daytona is the first Rolex that really caught my interest and I now have the Rolex bug! I'm alternating between getting the black and the white and knowing I can't have both, what do forum members feel are the reasons to own one over the other? Ease of reading the time in all light conditions is important. Do any of you feel one will be more valuable long-term than the other? Are
Production volumes expected to be relatively similar?

[Esoteric]

Hi Daytona Dreaming, great handle btw! I would try on both (if you have that opportunity) and see which you prefer, simple as that. Often watches look very different in the flesh versus photos online or in print so trying one on might help inform your decision.

I have a white on order (but have yet to see one in person), but I saw a black Daytona last week in san Francisco and it looked stunning. I would be happy with either, and I wouldn't unduly worry about legibility, or production volumes, etc. But it is a tough call! My own decision was influenced by the fact that I have several Rolex's with Black Dial and wanted a bit of variety, also all the AD's I spoke with who had seen both watches had expressed a preference for the white dial.

I am relatively new to watch collecting but my one piece of advice to you would be to buy the watch you like and don't think about resale value or what other people like! Best of luck with the decision.

[Daytona Dreaming]

Thanks Esoteric. I am not a big watch trader so I'm not looking to buy for appreciation as a primary goal. A watch has to be practical first and foremost. I have a couple of IWC watches. The first I bought a few years ago was a stainless steel Portofino chron and it has a white face with silver hands. I had trouble reading it in many light conditions. My other IWC is the Portugese 7 day automatic that I acquired a couple years ago. It has a white face with blue hands. I can read it in any light condition except darkness....neither hands nor numbers are luminescent. Both have leather straps. I really want a sports watch so the Daytona is a perfect option for me. I like your idea of try I got both on. But I wonder how many dealers have both in stock?

[idle spectre]

Zing

[htbilgic]

You can't really go wrong with a black dial Rolex.

I bought one Explorer II with white dial a few months ago. And I looked both into white and black dials before my purchase. Even though my Explorer II with white dial is an amazing watch, it doesn’t get as much wrist time as my other watches. Still, at the end of the day, it depends completely on your taste.

[Marcus09]

I have the non ceramic Daytona with white dial and it's absolutely stunning. I actually still love it over the non ceramic black dial. After visiting the shop for the new daytona launch, I actually preferred the black this time. Is it because I already have the white, or it's actually prettier than the white since I like the combination of the black dial with black ceramic. Also, the new black looks a bit like the purity of the old daytona with the aggressiveness of the GMT/sub C.
Find below the live pictures


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[htbilgic]

Thanks for the pictures, Marcus09. I must say: the new Daytona with white dial and black ceramic bezel looks very sharp. Very nice contrast!

[mdgrwl]

The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.

The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.

[Marcus09]

Originally Posted by mdgrwl

The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.



The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.

I felt that too. As I said before, the black looks like a pimped up version of a gmt. The white not so much.


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[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by mdgrwl

The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.

The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.

Must say I still have some reservations..........some days I think that this would be a nice one to go for then on others I'm not so sure........probably academic in any event given the waiting time though who knows, this might begin to drop off?

[kwingy]

I think the white one really pops and would instantly catch someone's eye. The black version is very understated and IMO if I was to get a black daytona I would prefer the original rather then stainless steel one because of the contrast.

[DawgByte]

I love almost all things in black... just has a classy and racy look. However, in the case of the Daytona that white face is just amazing looking. The white dial would be my choice, without doubt.

[Masteryacht]

Originally Posted by mdgrwl

The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.

The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.

I agree with you. If you glance at it really quickly it looks like a Tag.

[idle spectre]

I love the black

[SamQue]

Originally Posted by strafer_kid

Must say I still have some reservations..........some days I think that this would be a nice one to go for then on others I'm not so sure........probably academic in any event given the waiting time though who knows, this might begin to drop off?

Certainly a long wait time. At a Chicago boutique there are 130+ in line ahead of me.

[regnant]

I have Rolex Daytona Cerachrom 116500 LN 002. It's black dial model as the number indicates. I love black dial, white dial may become more legible and if one loves so called panda dials that model should be a way to go.
Under sun light, black dial pops and looks very nice to me.

[pacific17]

If you were in SF, I would let you try both. You cant go wrong with either dial as they both ROCK!

[Psmith]

Not a huge Daytona fan, but much prefer the black.

I wonder which the OP decided to get?

[Daytona Dreaming]

Psmith, thanks for asking. I am on two wait lists for the black. I've been noticing that asking prices have begun to come down on used 116500 black and whites from consistently in the $18K range to now in the $16.5K range to as low as $14.5K. According to the ADs I've spoken with, demand remains strong and wait list estimates range from a long of 30 months (Wempe, NYC) to 12 months. Either way, I'm not so anxious to get one that I am willing pay more than list, so I will wait.

[stolpioni]

White dial.

Rule of thumb =

If the case and bracelet is in silver, go for White dial.
If the case and bracelet is in gold, go for Black dial.

[AntonL]

I am in exactly the same position as you. I have tried both on at the boutique and the decision does not get any easier.

My observations: The white didn't seem as versatile as the black (I was in a grey suit/blue shirt) and thought the black looked better. A white shirt combo would suit both watches equally I think. Casual/jeans look may suit the black face better, but I suppose this depends on your complexion and other factors.
Despite this, the reason I favour white is that all my watches have black faces.

At the end of the day, I decided to leave it to the Watch Gods and have my name down for either the white or the black. Whichever comes in first from Rolex will be the one I buy. I know I'll be happy regardless. I'm number 6 on the list so hopefully won't have to wait too much longer!

[shay2nak]

black dial looks better on you. Easy decision. White looks "cheap".

[Investr]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

black dial looks better on you. Easy decision. White looks "cheap".

Looks CHEAP!!!! I'm LMAO!!!!!!!

[locutus49]

Black looks more hip to me. And I mean hip in a good way. But all Daytonas are A-Okay in my book.

[madgpol]

White all the way but I do have the black in the previous model.

[Bluside]

If I were to get one (I have no plans to), I would go with the black one.

[DPE]

The black looks stunning and classy

[GolfPunk]

I have the black dial. Both are stunning and I was happy to take either white or black whichever was offered to me.

I got offered black and I love it.

IMG_1124.jpg

[TimeOnHand]

I also had a chance to try both at a local AD.... I really liked both... but found the black more to versatile!









But then again I loved the WG BLUE dial the best!

[Spacegoat]

Easy
hot country - Black dial
cold country - white dial

I'm sure I don't need to explain!

also I would say the white dial model has better contrast and was the one which caught my eye from the pictures listed above.
To be honest though that WG Blue dial changes the subject, and for good cause!