Why are Daytonas so hard to find?

[connorperson]

Hi friends,

I was thinking of buying a Daytona 116500LN (black face / black bezel). I went to my AD and they didn’t have any. Was added to the waitlist as #104. The salesman said he is lucky to get 3 a year. I also called some ADs in the state I used to live (Oklahoma) and heard the same thing: “3 year wait list.”

I am wondering, why is this watch, and Daytonas in general, is so hard to find?

Wishing everyone good health and thanks for the replies.

[MannySDG]

Lots of demand, no supply. It's been like that since the current model was introduced.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by connorperson

Hi friends,

I was thinking of buying a Daytona 116500LN (black face / black bezel). I went to my AD and they didn’t have any. Was added to the waitlist as #104. The salesman said he is lucky to get 3 a year. I also called some ADs in the state I used to live (Oklahoma) and heard the same thing: “3 year wait list.”

I am wondering, why is this watch, and Daytonas in general, so hard to find?

Wishing everyone good health and thanks for the replies.

You can find plenty, new in box with stickers. But they’re from re-sellers.

Either you sign up for the wait, or you pay a premium.


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[connorperson]

What is the down-side of buying from a reseller? The upside is you can buy the watch.

[calebb90]

Originally Posted by connorperson

What is the down-side of buying from a reseller? The upside is you can buy the watch.

Downside is the 75-100% price markup from MSRP.


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[peterpl]

As advised there are 1000s upon 1000s available everywhere just not from ADs

ADs are selling directly to gray market dealers and then selling to the end customer for double the price. Then split the profits. Very very good and easy business model to cash in on the hype. Been happening for years now.

If you pay up you can have one at your door within 24hrs.

[Bobby T]

Originally Posted by connorperson

Hi friends,

I was thinking of buying a Daytona 116500LN (black face / black bezel). I went to my AD and they didn’t have any. Was added to the waitlist as #104. The salesman said he is lucky to get 3 a year. I also called some ADs in the state I used to live (Oklahoma) and heard the same thing: “3 year wait list.”

I am wondering, why is this watch, and Daytonas in general, is so hard to find?

Wishing everyone good health and thanks for the replies.

Have you been living under a rock for the last 30 years?

[Rad22]

Establish a good relationship with your AD. You will get it. I bought my first rolex at the end of 2017. I received my white Daytona a week ago. I bought 4 other watches (3 Rolex, 1 Tag) in the time in between which apparently moved me up on the list... I don’t believe in paying over MSRP, so it was a no brainer for me. If you’re okay paying double you can get it right away!

I also turned down some “hot” models which I think also helped.


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[SC197]

I have actually been told that the supply of Daytona is actually not that scarce (about same volume as the BLNR and BLRO). It's just that the demand for them is about 20x that of the GMT, therefore it's extremely tough to get at retail

[Marcjvr]

If you are willing to pay the market price there is no shortage of them.




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[connorperson]

Awesome picture!

[brucethemanlee]

as some have said.... it comes down to supply and demand.....

huge demand little supply.

and % of the supply go directly to the grey market, because:
1) some ADs sell bulk stock (all sorts of Rolex plus daytona) to keep cash flow going
2) some buyers lucky to get from AD, don't like the daytona and flip immediately to make profit

[Nikrnic]

Tough fight to get one from an AD. That could take many years if at all. Grey market is the real value so going there is not as crazy as it may sound being inflated at almost a 100% mark up. I'm not a chrono fan myself, if I were I'd be looking at other brands. You could get a higher horological piece such as Vacheron Constantin for the approx. marked up price of a Daytona.
Not mine, I have the 3 hander but a friend has this exact one.

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[macrowatch]

I’m told the white dial requires a process made from the resin of unicorn horn powder. Very hard to procure and produce. Lots of manufacturing defects.

[cts]

Originally Posted by MannySDG

Lots of demand, no supply. It's been like that since the current model was introduced.

Been like that since at least 2000...

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by macrowatch

I’m told the white dial requires a process made from the resin of unicorn horn powder. Very hard to procure and produce. Lots of manufacturing defects.

He clearly said he wants a black dial. So that doesn't apply. Although, a black dial also has a complicated procedure and it is made of ash of cremated unicorns. Similarly hard to produce and procure and also lots of manufacturing defects. Although yield is better than on white dial.

On a serious note, if OP isn't really into watch world, it doesn't seem too crazy that you can just pick out a model from a catalog, go into the store and buy it. What is happening to SS sports model is exception, not the rule. Usually the more expensive something is, the harder it should be to get, not the other way around. For example, if you want a Rainbow Daytona, it isn't surprising it'd be hard to get. But a SS black Daytona just seems like a watch that should be obtainable by just walking into store, with TT being harder to get and PM being even harder. Yet it's the opposite.

[MannySDG]

Originally Posted by cts

Been like that since at least 2000...

Well, he was talking about getting the current model, so I was just mentioning that ever since this model was introduced it has been difficult to find.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by connorperson

Hi friends,

I was thinking of buying a Daytona 116500LN (black face / black bezel). I went to my AD and they didn’t have any. Was added to the waitlist as #104. The salesman said he is lucky to get 3 a year. I also called some ADs in the state I used to live (Oklahoma) and heard the same thing: “3 year wait list.”

I am wondering, why is this watch, and Daytonas in general, is so hard to find?

Wishing everyone good health and thanks for the replies.

I have a question for you OP, I’ve lost track of the Raiders. Since you are really into them, where are they playing these days. Obviously not Oakland anymore, Los Angeles? Seems like I heard that somewhere...

[RolexintheNorth]

My AD won’t even take names for SS Daytona. I’d be very happy if my AD accepts me to their SS Daytona waiting list and tells me where I am on the list.

[Posh Gentleman]

If you can wait 3 years, just do that and get the Daytona 3 years later. Meanwhile, invest the cash in good stocks and make 3 times your money, and just buy the Daytona with the profits you made. That way, you get this watch for free! Problem solved!

That being said, problem is that you may never get that Daytona at MSRP, after 3,4,5 years of waiting. There are no guarantees. If you must have this watch for some sentimental reasons, I'd just go grey and pay the premium, from a reputable seller.

If I were you, I'd consider Tudor blackbay chrono. Very handsome watch, for a fraction of the price.

I am a huge fan of Daytona. I have one myself. But no way am I paying over $20k for it.

[GB-man]

It’s mainly due to tacos. People need tacos to survive but there’s a shortage. Most tacos dealers take Daytona’s in on trade for fresh tacos.

[Gmt21]

Originally Posted by cts

Been like that since at least 2000...

Waitlist was al least 1 year in 1993 when I bought mine. The intro of the zenith 16520 movement is what sparked the continuing madness I believe

[Gmt21]

Originally Posted by Posh Gentleman

If you can wait 3 years, just do that and get the Daytona 3 years later. Meanwhile, invest the cash in good stocks and make 3 times your money, and just buy the Daytona with the profits you made. That way, you get this watch for free! Problem solved!

That being said, problem is that you may never get that Daytona at MSRP, after 3,4,5 years of waiting. There are no guarantees. If you must have this watch for some sentimental reasons, I'd just go grey and pay the premium, from a reputable seller.

If I were you, I'd consider Tudor blackbay chrono. Very handsome watch, for a fraction of the price.

I am a huge fan of Daytona. I have one myself. But no way am I paying over $20k for it.

The stories of preferential treatment to buyers that also buy PM models and jewelry are totally true. There are no lists. You get a chance to buy after you pay up with extra business. ADs sell at their discretion.

How do I know ? Was on the list 2 years at an Ad I’ve bought many pieces from.

I decided on a pm Rolex. After I got that maybe two months later my white ss Daytona arrives. I was told directly that it was a thank you for all my business over several years. This situation sucks but it’s true.

[Sg6067]

Originally Posted by GB-man

It’s mainly due to tacos. People need tacos to survive but there’s a shortage. Most tacos dealers take Daytona’s in on trade for fresh tacos.

+ 1

[Sg6067]

Open yourself up to a two tone model and you will find one tomorrow. They are readily available just not in the ss model

[Seddyspaghetti]

Supply and demand

[didikwahyu]

Originally Posted by Rad22

Establish a good relationship with your AD. You will get it. I bought my first rolex at the end of 2017. I received my white Daytona a week ago. I bought 4 other watches (3 Rolex, 1 Tag) in the time in between which apparently moved me up on the list... I don’t believe in paying over MSRP, so it was a no brainer for me. If you’re okay paying double you can get it right away!

I also turned down some “hot” models which I think also helped.


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Agree...that was what I did...and I've got blue sky dweller at MSRP only within 2 weeks.
One more thing, just find small AD

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[Posh Gentleman]

Originally Posted by Gmt21

The stories of preferential treatment to buyers that also buy PM models and jewelry are totally true. There are no lists. You get a chance to buy after you pay up with extra business. ADs sell at their discretion.

How do I know ? Was on the list 2 years at an Ad I’ve bought many pieces from.

I decided on a pm Rolex. After I got that maybe two months later my white ss Daytona arrives. I was told directly that it was a thank you for all my business over several years. This situation sucks but it’s true.

interesting. Can you buy a Rolex PM on a popular model, such as GMT rose gold, or Daytona white gold, as part of that "bundle" buying?

Or, do you have to buy something that's not desirable, such as Two tone day just, or some other dress watch?

I am looking at a PM Daytona or PM GMT, as a fun weekend watch, sometime in future. If I can get some preferential treatment over this planned purchase, I would be curious to know

[connorperson]

Originally Posted by garyk

I have a question for you OP, I’ve lost track of the Raiders. Since you are really into them, where are they playing these days. Obviously not Oakland anymore, Los Angeles? Seems like I heard that somewhere...

Las Vegas now. It was a sad day when they left Oakland.

[peterpl]

To the guys saying establish a relationship with an AD will get you that SS Daytona at MSRP - yes your are right but the ONLY reason - let me say it again the ONLY reason why this is happening is because the AD already made the $$$$ off you if they were to sell it to the grays directly themselves.

ADs will never give away a free $10k to you. So you've effectively paid for it already. Dont kid yourselves. Running multiple businesses I will never give away $10k+ to a customer "just because" for free. Either I've made it off them from previous sales or its because I will in future sales.