Conflicted about the Dream Watch Daytona

[the dark knight]

I'd say when I started liking watches as a teen, the two I dreamed of most were the Sub and Daytona. A 16610 has been on my wrist for 10 years now, but I've admired and dreamed of the Daytona. I am tempted, but I have some trepidations.

First is the grey market price, which might as well be the real price. So about $20k in the USA right now. I'll spare details, but I'm not a rich/wealthy man. I am though above average in income/net worth for someone my age. I'll just say $20k is a lot of money to me, but also not something that would meaningfully impact me or my life if I spent it on a watch. That being said, to me wearing something with that kind of value on my wrist would be a totally different league than wearing my 16610. It would give me some pause about when/where, while my 16610 gives me no pause, I just wear it.

Second is the servicing/upkeep. Obviously chrono complication/ceramic bezel means more in servicing over the years. One thing I like about my 16610 is that's it's a simple fuss free 3-hander. Simple and fuss free is just something I like in anything I own in general.

Third is the potential attention. The 16610 is so ubiquitous and so imitated it just blends in. Nobody asks me about it or notices it. The Daytona is more eye catching, so I am nervous about people seeing it. I'm not necessarily the type of person that wants people knowing what kind of stuff I own/wear.

Of course, the reasons I want it is it's basically been my second grail for 20 or so years, the design I find beautiful, the size great, good fit on my wrist (I've tried on a Daytona Ceramic). Despite this, I do wonder if I won't fully be able to enjoy it if I did own one for the above reasons.

If I do give up on the Daytona, another issue that only WISes would understand is that I would really have nothing left to strive for that's in a tier "above" the Sub. I'm not really into PMs or dress watches in that kind of price tier. Basically there's no watch other than the Daytona that I lust for that's pricier than the Sub I already have. So it would almost be like I'm "done", which kind of gives me a weirdly empty feeling, although I guess I could focus on lower priced watches if I want to continue the hobby.

Anyways, what do you guys think?

[Emoney11]

I think it’s crazy to pay that much over msrp for the watch. I’d put my name on every list I can and wait it out.

[Spoonage]

You can get them if you look hard enough at MSRP and a reasonable wait.

[eteokles]

If you have hesitations about the attention it might bring, I'd recommend holding off. It would be unfortunate to spend that much money and either not wear it or feel uneasy about wearing it.

[Gotgolf52]

I am a novice Rolex fan but I got both SS and ceramic bezel at msrp. I am waiting for another Daytona and new GMT II.

[smohr33]

If I were you, I'd keep the sub and get a Speedy in addition for a fraction of the price of the Daytona. Best of both worlds and more cash in your pocket.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by smohr33

If I were you, I'd keep the sub and get a Speedy in addition for a fraction of the price of the Daytona. Best of both worlds and more cash in your pocket.

I like this line of thinking. I actually prefer the speedy anyway

[Phrank]

Sounds like we share the same story in reverse...I waited and waited to finally buy the Daytona, which I finally put on my wrist 8 weeks ago.

Not one person has noticed it, and that doesn't surprise me, people just don't really notice watches it seems.

Frankly, I'm surprised that people haven't noticed your Submariner, it's such an iconic piece and really stands out in my opinion much more so than the Daytona - if anything would be noticed I'd figure it would be the Sub.

I literally just purchased a 16613 Submariner, it's arriving tomorrow, and my advice to you is, however cliche, You Only Live Once.

I sat on the fence over the Daytona for years, what a waste of time I realize now, it's never a simple thing to dump a load of cash like that on a, "nice to have", so we end up doing nothing.

What resolved me to finally get the Daytona was, "If not now, then when?" When is the right time?

Do it now and enjoy it now....just my opinion, with the standard YMMV....

[Valhala]

Add to a list and then wait

[zjd168]

It is cool to be a one watch guy. Nothing wrong to put the Daytona on hold indefinitely. Who knows maybe in few years later you find some other watch better, or it's easier to buy.

[Bgator]

I’m a huge James Bond fan. I wanted a blue Seamaster ever since Pierce Brosnan wore one in his first film. Ten years later when I started working, I got my first “nice” watch, a Tag that I wore for 10 years. I could have easily afforded the Seamaster at the time.

A few years ago I upgraded to a PO2500 which I thought was ridiculously expensive at the time (although after reading this forum my perspective of expensive and reasonable has changed). After a few days with that watch my only regret, which was a big one, was not getting it a decade earlier.

In summary: buy the Daytona.


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[AK797]

Sounds like you want the SS Daytona in which case you have to pay the Grey price, or should I say the Iron price, Theon.

[Seekthefinest]

I had dreamed about a Daytona for a while, so when I was looking to purchase my first Rolex, that was the first target. Honestly I didn't understand at the time how difficult they were to get, just that there was probably a wait of 6-12 months at the AD. I honestly thought about get another model, Polar Explorer, Coke GMT, but the "go big or go home" philosophy was the deciding factor. Was I going to happy with a cheaper option, or would I just constantly be dreaming of the one that I really wanted. When I was told by my local AD that they could definitely get me one in 6-12 months, I started saving my pennies and planning. Much to my surprise I got the call after two weeks and couldn't pass up the opportunity.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

I'd say when I started liking watches as a teen, the two I dreamed of most were the Sub and Daytona. A 16610 has been on my wrist for 10 years now, but I've admired and dreamed of the Daytona. I am tempted, but I have some trepidations.

First is the grey market price, which might as well be the real price. So about $20k in the USA right now. I'll spare details, but I'm not a rich/wealthy man. I am though above average in income/net worth for someone my age. I'll just say $20k is a lot of money to me, but also not something that would meaningfully impact me or my life if I spent it on a watch. That being said, to me wearing something with that kind of value on my wrist would be a totally different league than wearing my 16610. It would give me some pause about when/where, while my 16610 gives me no pause, I just wear it.

Second is the servicing/upkeep. Obviously chrono complication/ceramic bezel means more in servicing over the years. One thing I like about my 16610 is that's it's a simple fuss free 3-hander. Simple and fuss free is just something I like in anything I own in general.

Third is the potential attention. The 16610 is so ubiquitous and so imitated it just blends in. Nobody asks me about it or notices it. The Daytona is more eye catching, so I am nervous about people seeing it. I'm not necessarily the type of person that wants people knowing what kind of stuff I own/wear.

Of course, the reasons I want it is it's basically been my second grail for 20 or so years, the design I find beautiful, the size great, good fit on my wrist (I've tried on a Daytona Ceramic). Despite this, I do wonder if I won't fully be able to enjoy it if I did own one for the above reasons.

If I do give up on the Daytona, another issue that only WISes would understand is that I would really have nothing left to strive for that's in a tier "above" the Sub. I'm not really into PMs or dress watches in that kind of price tier. Basically there's no watch other than the Daytona that I lust for that's pricier than the Sub I already have. So it would almost be like I'm "done", which kind of gives me a weirdly empty feeling, although I guess I could focus on lower priced watches if I want to continue the hobby.

Anyways, what do you guys think?

black is sub 18k right now.

white is 19k.

id go for it if it is your grail.

[Odie-r]

Do what your gut tells you to do. Simplest advice.

[oldman2005]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

...
Third is the potential attention. The 16610 is so ubiquitous and so imitated it just blends in. Nobody asks me about it or notices it. The Daytona is more eye catching, so I am nervous about people seeing it. I'm not necessarily the type of person that wants people knowing what kind of stuff I own/wear.
..

Anyways, what do you guys think?

Few people noticed my Daytona every time I wore my them, Only 1 person commented on my SS Daytona because he knew quite a bit about watches.

[jrs146]

But it’s so darn beautiful



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[Rsubnodate]

I have both a Sub and Daytona. No one ever notices either watch when worn. One can be found with patience. I wouldn’t worry about service cost with the Daytona even though it’s a chronograph. If it were an AP then I can see the concern. I say go for it because you won’t regret it.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by Rsubnodate

I have both a Sub and Daytona. No one ever notices either watch when worn. One can be found with patience. I wouldn’t worry about service cost with the Daytona even though it’s a chronograph. If it were an AP then I can see the concern. I say go for it because you won’t regret it.

i actually got quite a few comments on my subc.

disney employee even said nice rolex.

[Chute]

Have you considered a 116520 or are you set on a 116500?
Which color would you get?

My first Rolex was a GMTIIC LN and the White 116520 came afterwards.
I babied this Daytona for so long then the wife started wearing it and before long it was good and “worn-in”.
Now that it has lots of scratches, I find I wear it more than the GMT.
It’s more comfortable and still looks gorgeous!

My point is: you’ll get over the nervousness of it eventually and then be able to enjoy it. Although I’m sure you’ll enjoy it the moment you get it.

If you don’t have a way to get a 116500 at retail, it’s not that much more to pay gray market prices for it or the 116520. One thing I’ve noticed in 8 years of looking through the classifieds every day is that they never went down in price.

As for people noticing, no one has ever said anything about my 116520 nor my 116500 white I added last year.

Life is short. Buy the darn thing and enjoy!

[jfmiii]

The Daytona is a grail for me as well. I am, and have been, hunting for one. TBH, buying one for $19k and having it tomorrow would spoil the watch for me. The hunt for one at an AD is worth something to me. I know I will appreciate the watch more by waiting and hunting and finally getting a call to buy a watch that hasnt been sold before. Whether I can afford the $19k is irrelevant. Hunting one down and making it "mine" will give me much more enjoyment. Bending over and paying the grey price would spoil it for me but, to each their own.

[WBA_Daytona]

Originally Posted by jfmiii

The Daytona is a grail for me as well. I am, and have been, hunting for one. TBH, buying one for $19k and having it tomorrow would spoil the watch for me. The hunt for one at an AD is worth something to me. I know I will appreciate the watch more by waiting and hunting and finally getting a call to buy a watch that hasnt been sold before. Whether I can afford the $19k is irrelevant. Hunting one down and making it "mine" will give me much more enjoyment. Bending over and paying the grey price would spoil it for me but, to each their own.

This is my opinion too! I have waited for two years to get my 116500 white face. It was part of the feeling of getting this watch! Although during this two years wait I also bought a white gold oysterflex Daytona, when the 116500 arrived and my AD called me I was over the moon with excitement. Hunting it, waiting for it, and most of all buying it at retail price makes the whole experience of getting this watch!

It's not flashy! Ok, I know I compare it to the WG Oysterflex that really shines like a star but you can easily wear the 116500 with no big concerns. I wear it all the week at the office and during week-ends the WG Daytona takes the role of exciting my eyes.

[Tampashooter]

As the owner of a Daytona C, I highly recommend you look into the speed master racing master coaxial....

[MinMay]

Originally Posted by Tampashooter

As the owner of a Daytona C, I highly recommend you look into the speed master racing master coaxial....

beautiful. I would buy one if it comes in 40mm. :(

[Bgator]

Originally Posted by MinMay

beautiful. I would buy one if it comes in 40mm. :(

There is a slightly different 40mm version.




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[tle156]

I have a rule to myself never pay premium for a watch. At the end of the day watches is only one of my hobbies and I don't see I'm gonna be crazy about any specific watch to pay premium. Just my 2 cents.

[Fleetlord]

There is a lot of conflict within you about this watch..

You either consider it alotta money, or you can spend it with no problem...?????

But should you?

Since you brought that up right off the bat, I say no.

Pass or wait for a cheaper one through AD source.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

I'd say when I started liking watches as a teen, the two I dreamed of most were the Sub and Daytona. A 16610 has been on my wrist for 10 years now, but I've admired and dreamed of the Daytona. I am tempted, but I have some trepidations.

First is the grey market price, which might as well be the real price. So about $20k in the USA right now. ...

Second is the servicing/upkeep. ...

Third is the potential attention. ...

Of course, the reasons I want it is it's basically been my second grail for 20 or so years

Anyways, what do you guys think?

$20K is a lot, $12K is a lot. Rolex cost out the wazoo. Best thing to do is to look around for the best deal you can. If you find a good deal from a reputable source then jump on it. That's basically what I did and came out a couple to a few grand ahead.

Getting a new Rolex with the five year warranty means that the fastest you'll need to worry about paying for service is five years out. Typically ten years out. Put away $100 a year for that if you need to.

No one notices my watches unless they're interested in watches and then sometimes I'll share with them. The Daytona isn't a flashy watch like lets say a gold DD or SkyD. An SS Sky D is considerably flashier. I wouldn't worry about it attracting attention.

If it's been your grail then ask people to help you find a good deal. I did that and came out quite a ways ahead of the going rate for the grey market. Don't give up on your dreams!!!

Happy hunting!!!

[asiparks]

I understand it's your grail and a passion for you, only you can say whether its worth $7500 to avoid a wait. That's 2 moonwatches. Or a moonwatch and a grand seiko....

There are also many highly desirable chronographs available on the secondary market for well under $20K, the VC overseas is around $12k, Fifty Fathoms around $9K, a whole bunch of AP overseas and RO models for between $14 and $20K. All arguably finer timepieces, some of which will also address your concerns on getting too much attention. ( some maybe not....)
Spend some time browsing options on Watchrecon....

[16610v]

If you like daytona, go ahead. Try to find one that still relatively inexpansive (like 116520 2nd hand)

Buying other similar watch would be temporarily satisfied but at the end of the day you will want to get a daytona.