50th Anniversary Daytona 116506; Two Year Review

[HogwldFLTR]

It's almost two years to the day from when I traded an 18 watch collection for this piece. For the skeptics who only see this piece as comically pretentious it is clear they've no knowledge of watch collecting.

This is a great, durable, and under the radar watch. Clearly it's not a disposable low cost watch like most wear. Some of the attributes of Platinum as opposed to gold or stainelss steel are weight and durability through polishing. Platinum is amazingly dense and the feel on the wrist is like nothing else. It is heavier than almost any other watch made but wearing it, the weight surprisingly vanishes on the wrist in minutes.

After two years of wearing it in rotation with other watches in my collection, it has received its share of small scratches and light wear on the bracelet. The watch head itself has remained untouched to the naked eye. I had the bracelet touched up by the Authorized Dealer I obtained the watch from recently. I must say that there is no observable wear on the bracelet anymore. This is the nature of Platinum unlike other watch materials. The watch looks brand new. They are fully outhorized by Rolex to perform watch repairs and provide Rolex Authorized service cards.

Wearing the watch as a daily actually caused me some concern with respect to security. This concern was asuaged through insurance. At the time I took it out I chose to only insure it for what replacement cost in the secondary market was (coincidentally what I paid new for it). Since the secondary market pricing has increase, this year I will try to get it insured for 10K more or what the MSRP for the watch is.

Do I have any desire to trade the watch for other precious metal watches? The thought has crossed my mind and I actually investigated this due to the increasing value of the watch. The pricing on the secondary market has risen steeply in the last two years. It now sells for $20,000 more than for what I purchased mine. There is speculation about the 116506 being discontinued in the future. If so the value of the watch should significantly increase beyond what it already has. This is one of the reason I couldn't go though with a trade. It's stunning and once gone it would likely never again be obtainable for me.

OK, this is as honest a review as I can write. For the watch collectors reading this you'll likely already know much of what I've said. For those who are new to watch collecting recognize that for me and many other collectors this is one of the Rolex holy grails of watch collecting. As a footnote to the review, I wrote much of this as a review for Amazon, hence some of the framing. I hope those who are very experienced will let that go as they read. I must also add that this has proven to be the most accurate mechanical watch in my collection.

[PepsiBezel]

You posted a review for a platona on Amazon?That is amazing!!

[arcampado]

Very nice and honest write up Lee! I had the pleasure of trying one of these on at my AD and it surely is a special watch in the metal. It sounds like you sacrificed quite a lot to get it, so I surely hope it stays with you for the long haul. Continue to wear it in good health!

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by HarryFlashman

You posted a review for a platona on Amazon?That is amazing!!

I figured they could use a dose of reality instead of all the snarky comments they usually get for this watch. Ask me if I care what the readers there think of me.

[brandrea]

Glad to see you’re enjoying it

[Gerry62]

Awesome ....

seeing and admiring your Daytona, that ! Daytona is a pleasure, a joy.
Stunning the color of the dial, the harmony of shapes and proportions, it exudes prestige quality charm/glamor....
I share and thank you for your words and your feeling as an owner.
I would like to see many more photos, I would spend hours taking them,
thank you Lee for sharing your beautiful Daytona with us fans... passionate collectors

[Vipes]

Always find it interesting to hear collectors’ views on watches and watch collecting. I love platinum and agree with your assessment. It’s a very special watch.

[kwingy]

Nice writeup - would be great if you could share the 18 watches you traded but all good if you don't.

[JSolution]

Definitely is a great watch and you’re right if discontinued it’s going to be stupidly expensive.

So did you actually trade 18 watches for 1 in one deal?

[fskywalker]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

It's almost two years to the day from when I traded an 18 watch collection for this piece. For the skeptics who only see this piece as comically pretentious it is clear they've no knowledge of watch collecting.

This is a great, durable, and under the radar watch. Clearly it's not a disposable low cost watch like most wear. Some of the attributes of Platinum as opposed to gold or stainelss steel are weight and durability through polishing. Platinum is amazingly dense and the feel on the wrist is like nothing else. It is heavier than almost any other watch made but wearing it, the weight surprisingly vanishes on the wrist in minutes.

After two years of wearing it in rotation with other watches in my collection, it has received its share of small scratches and light wear on the bracelet. The watch head itself has remained untouched to the naked eye. I had the bracelet touched up by the Authorized Dealer I obtained the watch from recently. I must say that there is no observable wear on the bracelet anymore. This is the nature of Platinum unlike other watch materials. The watch looks brand new. They are fully outhorized by Rolex to perform watch repairs and provide Rolex Authorized service cards.

Wearing the watch as a daily actually caused me some concern with respect to security. This concern was asuaged through insurance. At the time I took it out I chose to only insure it for what replacement cost in the secondary market was (coincidentally what I paid new for it). Since the secondary market pricing has increase, this year I will try to get it insured for 10K more or what the MSRP for the watch is.

Do I have any desire to trade the watch for other precious metal watches? The thought has crossed my mind and I actually investigated this due to the increasing value of the watch. The pricing on the secondary market has risen steeply in the last two years. It now sells for $20,000 more than for what I purchased mine. There is speculation about the 116506 being discontinued in the future. If so the value of the watch should significantly increase beyond what it already has. This is one of the reason I couldn't go though with a trade. It's stunning and once gone it would likely never again be obtainable for me.

OK, this is as honest a review as I can write. For the watch collectors reading this you'll likely already know much of what I've said. For those who are new to watch collecting recognize that for me and many other collectors this is one of the Rolex holy grails of watch collecting. As a footnote to the review, I wrote much of this as a review for Amazon, hence some of the framing. I hope those who are very experienced will let that go as they read. I must also add that this has proven to be the most accurate mechanical watch in my collection.

Nice Lee! Now, where are the pictures of THE BEAST?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[rmlovett1]

Excellent write up Lee! I’d agree on all of it!

[Pw92676]

Enjoy it man.

I didn’t realize you traded 18 for this. Shows that quality over quantity can be very satisfying in the watch journey, something many of us struggle with at some point.

Out of curiosity, who did you buy this from on Amazon? If you don’t want to share, could you send a PM. Thanks.

[1William]

Interesting review and we each have our own outlook on what we like and how we like to wear it. I owned the Platinum Daytona with the Diamond Dial and while I felt it was nice, it was not as nice as I felt it should be for the money. I also did not like the brown bezel, if it had been black then it might have hung around a bit longer. I remember your other post where you asked about trading your Daytona for two other PM pieces and the responses where interesting. Each of us is different but I see the two PM as more wearable based on value. And while you may have a watch that is worth 20k more than when you paid for it, it's value is not actualized until you move it. We each go our own way and I am glad you are pleased with the watch.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by Pw92676

Enjoy it man.

I didn’t realize you traded 18 for this. Shows that quality over quantity can be very satisfying in the watch journey, something many of us struggle with at some point.

Out of curiosity, who did you buy this from on Amazon? If you don’t want to share, could you send a PM. Thanks.

No I didn't buy it on Amazon. I bought it through my local AD with whom I did the trade. I was simply curious to see how they were priced on Amazon and took the opportunity to add a review.

Originally Posted by 1William

Interesting review and we each have our own outlook on what we like and how we like to wear it. I owned the Platinum Daytona with the Diamond Dial and while I felt it was nice, it was not as nice as I felt it should be for the money. I also did not like the brown bezel, if it had been black then it might have hung around a bit longer. I remember your other post where you asked about trading your Daytona for two other PM pieces and the responses where interesting. Each of us is different but I see the two PM as more wearable based on value. And while you may have a watch that is worth 20k more than when you paid for it, it's value is not actualized until you move it. We each go our own way and I am glad you are pleased with the watch.

It's never realized until it's sold; regardless I need to want what I'm getting more than what I'm letting go.

[Sim1]

Nice review.
It's one of my favorite Daytona too, together with the WG OF (that I wear more often).

(OT - I cannot link pics hosted on my FTP server anymore, anybody knows why?).

Here's the pic I was trying to post: CLICK!

[NYG1121]

It is the perfect watch to trade a collection towards. Robust, under the radar, platinum, and unique. Glad you are still enjoying it and hope you continue to do so for years to come!

[kans86]

Nice write up. I guessed not all of the 18 watches you traded for the Platona were Rolex. I always think platinum is the best material for watch and that alone makes a watch special, let alone a Daytona. I have a few Rolexes and don't wear my Platona often these days, but the heft and the iceblue dial always amaze me whenever I put it on.

[AJMarcus]

Sounds like you are enjoying your grail. Nice story and Nice write up. Pics?

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by fskywalker

Nice Lee! Now, where are the pictures of THE BEAST?

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

Originally Posted by AJMarcus

Sounds like you are enjoying your grail. Nice story and Nice write up. Pics?

[MrMercedes]

Lee, I am so glad you kept your beautiful Platona!

[brucethemanlee]

That's awesome!!

[Robf52]

Awesome watch and very nice write-up. Continue to wear in good health.

[SS Oyster]

My absolute grail ... I had the chance recently to purchase new at Beverly Hills boutique, but alas I list my nerve and passed. It’s a LOT of money, but someday I will have one.

Below are really bad lighting pics of trying it on. Felt like $1M!






Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[AJMarcus]

Fantastic watch Lee. A keeper for life. Glad you are enjoying the heck out of it. Thanks for the pics

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

I figured they could use a dose of reality instead of all the snarky comments they usually get for this watch. Ask me if I care what the readers there think of me.

After your post I ventured over there, and some of the reviews were pretty ridiculous.

[Kiddodoc]

Great write up. Want to add this watch when I decide to consolidate.

[sxdcfv]

I have this, it's an amazing piece. I thought it would be a 'special occasion piece' and would mostly enjoy looking at it. But, it has. become my daily watch Mon-Fri. The weight is well balanced and feels solid. Love this piece.

[subtona]

Well done Lee.

Most impressive is the fact that you are enjoying regularly.

[Deepseadog]

I'd love to give one a go, even if only momentarily, just to get a sense of what nearly 300 grams of PT feels like on the wrist.

[rfs]

Great watch and nice writeup, Lee!