Those that disliked chronographs, did Daytona change your mind?

[the dark knight]

I keep going back and forth on whether to pull the trigger on a Daytona 116520. It's a watch I wanted for quite a while.

The weird thing is, in the past I haven't really liked chronographs and I don't currently own any. It's a complication I don't use and I am not really a huge fan of cluttered dials.

In my quest for the Daytona, I see some eerie similarities to the Omega Speedy Pro. I purchased that watch about 7-8 years ago because I thought it was a "must" for my collection and I had wanted it for a while. And of course its iconic and historic properties. But I flipped it within 2 months.

I'm worried the Daytona may be one of these watches I really admire in pictures and (I'll be honest) due to its relative rareness/exclusivity. But I fear it could be something that lets me down in the reality of actual ownership. Like maybe it's a watch I enjoy "chasing" more than I would "owning".

So I thought I'd ask, are there any of you that may have disliked chronographs in general, but made an exception for the Daytona and ended up really liking it (or regretting the purchase?)?

[Etschell]

if you arent a chrono fan dont do it. although you prob wont lose a ton if you do and flip it.

i would stick to what you like.

[HONDABBQ]

Never was a fan of the Daytona at all.

[Rashid.bk]

Never cared for the Daytona or chronos, the ss ceramic changed my mind. I'd love to own it now.

[bruinmd]

Originally Posted by the dark knight

I keep going back and forth on whether to pull the trigger on a Daytona 116520. It's a watch I wanted for quite a while.

The weird thing is, in the past I haven't really liked chronographs and I don't currently own any. It's a complication I don't use and I am not really a huge fan of cluttered dials.

In my quest for the Daytona, I see some eerie similarities to the Omega Speedy Pro. I purchased that watch about 7-8 years ago because I thought it was a "must" for my collection and I had wanted it for a while. And of course its iconic and historic properties. But I flipped it within 2 months.

I'm worried the Daytona may be one of these watches I really admire in pictures and (I'll be honest) due to its relative rareness/exclusivity. But I fear it could be something that lets me down in the reality of actual ownership. Like maybe it's a watch I enjoy "chasing" more than I would "owning".

So I thought I'd ask, are there any of you that may have disliked chronographs in general, but made an exception for the Daytona and ended up really liking it (or regretting the purchase?)?

that's exactly me..........not a fan of chrono's at all, until I saw the Daytona in rose gold, and later WG (the latter in pics only).
In addition, being a car guy, I now have a greater appreciation from a historical perspective as to what the Daytona represents. If you're a Rolex fan and a car lover, I think it's almost a must to own a Daytona --even if just for a while.

The changes to the 116500, however, have made me go 'all in' on the SS version.

I also like the IWC Portuguese chrono blue dial, but I'm not sure how it will wear, given the small size of the bezel. If for some reason the Daytona falls through, that's my back up chrono. Otherwise, no other chrono out there remotely interests me b/c I'm just not a fan.

[HogwldFLTR]

For years on the forum I wouldn't succumb to the Daytona Kool-Aid. Finally I decided that I wanted one and started figuring out a way to get one. That lasted a year. This last year I went on a hunt for a 116500. Of course I couldn't find one a list but I was happy to get one for a couple to a few thousand less than what they were going for and with only a couple of months used of the warranty. Now of course I'm wearing it and not keeping it in a safe but at least I'd be close to breaking even if I decided to part with it.

Oh, and back to the original question. I didn't really dislike chronos, I had a number of quartz versions and basically found I didn't use the stop watch much. It seemed like a somewhat useless complication.

[Rose Gold]

Like others here, I am a gearhead and the Daytona was a natural for me. When I saw my first Daytona in rose gold, I knew that ultimately I would own one. If you cannot find a configuration of a Daytona that takes your breath away; find a watch that does.

[ras47]

Love chronos but not the Daytona. It’s too small and has no date option. I’m a Speedmaster guy with chronographs. Better legibility and a much more reasonable price tag. Plus I love the history of the Speedy and the space program.

Similarly, I don’t like Omega’s iterations of GMT watches. For me, the only choice of a GMT is Rolex.

[bruinmd]

Originally Posted by Rose Gold

Like others here, I am a gearhead and the Daytona was a natural for me. When I saw my first Daytona in rose gold, I knew that ultimately I would own one. If you cannot find a configuration of a Daytona that takes your breath away; find a watch that does.

can you post a wrist shot of your RG Daytona?

[Seaswirl]

I answered your other threads over on another site, but I would is suggest you pass on the Daytona. If you don’t like chronographs and you think the hype got to you, then the answer is pretty clear. Get the AP you were thinking about.

[MCO1]

If the Speedy didn't tick all the boxes for you its likely the Daytona won't either I would pass if I were you. Sounds like chronographs aren't your thing so why bother with Daytona unless it is to just own a Daytona.

[Khans14]

I would not say I "dislike" them, Rather I have no use for one so would never buy one. I would never use the chronograph feature so I will not buy it, Same goes for the GMT II. The BLNR is beautiful but I would never utilize the functions of it.

Now if someone put a gun to my head and said I must buy a chronograph I would buy the Omega Speedy.

[taylorpt18]

Not a fan of the SS dayton as at all. The ceramic ones are OK. No doubt they're incredible pieces though!

[MARTIN1264]

no.........Speedmaster Man on the Moon....sent me down the Chronograph path.....Iconic and almost impossible to beat as a Chrono.....IMHO.

Ed White rockin' Speedy a in space.... enough said.

[eonflux]

A chronograph is my favorite complication.
I use mine frequently.

If the Speedy didn’t stick, doubt a Daytona will.
And if you don’t really use the chronograph, why pay more for a more complicated movement with a greater risk of malfunctioning, and for higher servicing costs?

At least with the Speedy (if the more classic model), legibility is good. Not as good with the Daytona, especially the black dial. And lume much fainter.
Also, having to unscrew the buttons to operate the chrono is a hassle.

[davidgilmore]

I own a ceramic Daytona white dial and love it. Really feels good on my 7.5" wrist. I owned the previous stainless Daytona version and traded it for the new one. I also recently purchased a Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster after purchasing a Speedmaster Pro black dial and like it equally well. I will be selling the Speedaster Pro to help finance the Tuesday. It is bigger than the Daytona but feels great on my wrist as well. Obviously a big difference in prices but either will certainly make you grin!

[train-time]

I have always been a fan of the chronograph and have owned many varieties, including Omega, Blancpain, Breitling, Chronoswiss, Maurice Lacroix, Tudor, Armand Nicollet, and others, but never cared for the style of the Daytona.

[karmatp]

I usually really don't care for chrono's but I love my Speedy Pro. I had a Daytona for a short time, I did not enjoy it at all. The only chrono I will ever own is the Speedy Pro, it is one of the best watches on the market period.

[red1108nyc]

If you don't try yourself, you will never know. Forget what we think. Personally, I love all chronographs and have own or owned in various brands.

[srvrf]

I only own chronographs (7) and do use them frequently at work (time after giving anesthetic shots). I’ve owned two Daytona’s, a black 116520 and white 16520. I loved the fit and bracelet but have a 6.5” wrist. In the end, I traded both of them. I found the black one pretty hard to read due to the reflections. The white one was better but I decided that I wanted a date complication. So even though I love chronographs, and even though I tried twice to own a Daytona, it just isn’t a watch for me.

So in your case, it seems even less likely that you’d bond with it or any other traditional chronograph. But as you know, if you do buy one and don’t like it, you’ll probably get most if not all of your money back if you decide to sell.


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[Scanspeakman]

To be honest until recently I could not care less for chrono's. Dials to busy, therefore hard to read and absolutely no use for it. That's why I like GMT's; I actually use that complication a lot.

But then....... 116519LN happened. There is something about that watch that really does it for me. Have not seen it in person. Hope to do so sometime soon. Completely useless watch in the sense that I won't use the complication and the fact that it does, not that easy to read the time in the blink of an eye and no date function. But that model (or maybe the black 116500LN) is actually a chrono I see my self buying and wearing somewhere in the future.

Scanspeakman

[gman5515]

I did purchase a 116520 eventually, but I seldom wear it, and have in turn passed it to my wife to wear. I'm more of a dive watch person, so if u did sell your speedmaster, likelihood is you'd probably sell the daytona , imho.. just my 2 cents... stick to what you like more if that makes any sense.

[MinMay]

I love cars...love racing...maybe that's why I love Daytona.

[Sket7]

i am a great fan of chronographs, the speedy and daytona are just my favorite.

[tyler1980]

if i was not into chronographs already, the Daytona would not change my mind. Screw down pushers are a major detractor for me and i like chronographs to begin with. Im not saying its a bad watch, but its probably not gong to convert anyone. Just talking function here, maybe on looks if they like how it wears.

[Quicksilver]

I am a bit of a petrol head but I have never found that I actually needed a chronograph function and I used to be indifferent towards chronos, preferring divers and GMT's. When I researched the history and design of chronographs I became enamoured of this complication. I think chronographs are the most interesting complication. A good chronograph is a technical achievement and I love the idea of wearing this complex and minute timing machine on my wrist. That’s the fascination of all tool watches - we rarely use or need these complications but they are wonderful to own.

I also think chronographs look great. The Speedmaster and the Daytona are very masculine, well designed and cool looking watches. Well designed chronograph dials are marvels of compact and intricate dial design. I think if you are on the fence about chronographs, once you have seen a Daytona in the flesh, chances are that it will change your mind. Its a great looking piece and its perfect at 40mm in my view and fits quite comfortably on my 6.5 wrist.

Here’s some pics of mine -




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[RaceDoc11]

+1

Originally Posted by hondabbq

never was a fan of the daytona at all.

[1William]

The Daytona is a cool watch and it is easy to get caught up in the hype and beautiful pictures on the internet. I have owned the Daytona in SS, TT,YG and RG and in the end it is too small and too expensive, for me. I get the history but it would be difficult to find a SS Daytona for a reasonable price. I own a Speedmaster Professional Co-Axial 44.25 and enjoy it as much or more than any Daytona I have ever owned. If you have the doubt I would wait until you sorted it out.

[c41006]

If you aren’t feeling the watch before you buy it, you probably won’t like it after you buy it.

[jay_kay]

I've always loved Chronos, my first proper Chrono was a Heuer Carrera 1964 Re-Edition loved it and am on the lookout for another.

I then went through a stage of simplicity and the Panerai thing happened to me.

I bought a 116520 back in 2006 and didn't gel with it, it got sold and then in 2008 I bought another, ended up trading that for a SE Panerai then I got another Daytona and fell out with it shortly afterwards. So I had 3 and thought it was out of my system.

I then saw a ceramic in the metal and the love affair started again. I can now confirm I really do love the Daytona and am lucky enough to own a beautiful 116520 from 2002 and have a genuine OEM ceramic bezel which makes it almost identical to the 116500. Really is the best of both worlds.

Who knows if the call comes for something else soon in white gold the Daytona may well be used as a bargaining chip. How I see it I can always replace it at a later date if not!!