Daytona Alternatives

[WatchNutcase]

I write quite a few blog posts but don't usually link to them here unless they're quite relevant to our shared Rolex passion. Since this one might benefit a bunch of us looking to buy a Daytona but are tired of the AD games, I'll drop the link here: Better Alternatives to the Rolex Daytona.

My first choice happens to be the Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph, which I feel (after countless comparisons) might be a more interesting higher quality alternative to the Daytona. If I had both side by side and ignored resale value, and ignored iconic status - the Laureato Chrono might win for me. GP was founded in 1791 and the history of the brand is quite incredible, the craftsmanship in their watches is on par with Audemars Piguet.

Of course nothing is going to ever replace the Daytona if that's the watch you're dead set on, but no harm in checking out the competition especially in such a one sided market like the one we're currently in.

My other alternative picks were a bit more obvious: Speedmaster Moonwatch, Zenith Chronomaster Sport, Tudor Black Bay Chrono.

Would love to hear some thoughts on this and if you'd be able to accept an alternative to the Daytona or if it's just a watch that cant be replaced.

[arcampado]

The new Tudor Black Bay Chrono is a huge bang for the buck IMO

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by arcampado

The new Tudor Black Bay Chrono is a huge bang for the buck IMO

Agreed, a definite winner.

[Stan Cooper]

Zenith Chronomaster Sport.

[scottwmitch]

I have been obsessed with the Daytona C since it was introduced in 2016. Just bought the Zenith Chronomaster Sport and I have no desire for the Daytona anymore. It’s a great Chrono.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[BobtheViking]

No navitimer? After all the Tudor uses a breitling movement

Sent from my Pixel 5 using Tapatalk

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by scottwmitch

I have been obsessed with the Daytona C since it was introduced in 2016. Just bought the Zenith Chronomaster Sport and I have no desire for the Daytona anymore. It’s a great Chrono.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Very interesting and nice to hear actually. I hope I can quench my thirst as well at some point lol.

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Zenith Chronomaster Sport.

[CKizzy]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Zenith Chronomaster Sport.

^This^ plus it has a date!

[scottwmitch]

Originally Posted by WatchNutcase

Very interesting and nice to hear actually. I hope I can quench my thirst as well at some point lol.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by BobtheViking

No navitimer? After all the Tudor uses a breitling movement.

...And the 16520 Daytona used a Zenith movement.

[Seddyspaghetti]

My daytona alternatives would be speedy or royal oak chrono

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by Seddyspaghetti

My daytona alternatives would be speedy or royal oak chrono

Excellent choices, only problem with the Royal Oak Chrono is price point, unless you're comparing with the Daytona grey price.

[stewester]

Superbly written article.

[SubMillennial]

As mentioned, the new Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Sport is in my mind the best Chronograph out there right now. Too bad there's not a Zenith AD within 500 miles of me...

[Oldwoods]

I’m very drawn by the Breitling Chronomat B01 42mm in silver

[envuks]

The zenith is very nice (heck they all are). Yet a daytona is the king of chronos. There is no “true” alternative for me


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by stewester

Superbly written article.

Thanks very much!

[1665fan]

Omega speedmaster pro tokyo panda!!!

[Stealthdriver]

I tried on the Zenith last week, it's amazing.

Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Omega speedmaster pro tokyo panda!!!

Yes love this one. One of those special Speedmasters, similar to the 40th anniversary blue dial panda.

[HHIslander]

Originally Posted by Oldwoods

I’m very drawn by the Breitling Chronomat B01 42mm in silver

I recently picked up one of these. I love it, my first Breitling.

Another good choice is Speedmaster Racing with white dial.

[HogwldFLTR]

Although there are plenty of other chronos out there, nothing works as well for me as the Daytona. I've owned Speedies (too large), Tudors (too large), even one of my favorites, TAG Heuer Monaco. The recommendation for the Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph is interesting but I'd miss the tachymeter bezel. For me the best alternative to the Daytona is the Daytona, for me that is a PM or TT version. You're all welcome to wear what you want but none hold the allure of the Daytona for me.

[bob sims]

Don't forget the Pagani-95 bucks!

[Harry-57]

I would (and may yet) go for the Zenith Chronomaster Sport. A superb watch and a movement of horological significance with a heritage that the Daytona can only dream of.

The only thing stopping me, apart from not needing yet another watch to go with all the other watches that I don't need, is my trusty Tag Heuer Carrara Day Date with the roman five minute markers. It's all the three sub dial chronograph I need. I also have a Monaco Calibre 11, with just the two sub dials, which like the Zenith is another watch and movement of historic horological significance.

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by HogwldFLTR

Although there are plenty of other chronos out there, nothing works as well for me as the Daytona. I've owned Speedies (too large), Tudors (too large), even one of my favorites, TAG Heuer Monaco. The recommendation for the Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph is interesting but I'd miss the tachymeter bezel. For me the best alternative to the Daytona is the Daytona, for me that is a PM or TT version. You're all welcome to wear what you want but none hold the allure of the Daytona for me.

I totally get the allure of the Daytona, it's a difficult / impossible watch to replace with an alternative. Although we can't deny that part of its allure is it's difficulty to obtain and its value retention. I would go for the Laureato for sure over a two-tone Daytona though, and the Speedy comes in plenty of different sizes from its current year and many models in its history.

[WatchNutcase]

Originally Posted by Harry-57

I would (and may yet) go for the Zenith Chronomaster Sport. A superb watch and a movement of horological significance with a heritage that the Daytona can only dream of.

The only thing stopping me, apart from not needing yet another watch to go with all the other watches that I don't need, is my trusty Tag Heuer Carrara Day Date with the roman five minute markers. It's all the three sub dial chronograph I need. I also have a Monaco Calibre 11, with just the two sub dials, which like the Zenith is another watch and movement of historic horological significance.

It's a great choice Harry, my friend has one and loves it. Can't beat the history.

[TimeAZ]

Nice write-up.

I think some additional alternatives that are of interest are the Tudor Prince Tiger Chronographs (long discontinued but excellent design and aesthetic, running on Valjoux 7750) and at the current market-price of a secondary Daytona, the VC Overseas Chrono and AP RO Chrono are great options as well.

[sp5702]

Will be the 20th person to say it, but the Chronomaster Sport is really something in person. Sits very well on the wrist, display case back, an impressive movement. Black dial is the way to go, IMO.

I’m also partial to the Speedmaster Racing 44mm. They don’t wear as large as the size says, and it’s a ton of bang for your buck if you go pre-owned (6-6.5k). Otherwise 20% discount should be easily attainable on that model.

[Benzsiam]

I think most people will not be happy with alternative or substitute, when they want Daytona, it has to be Rolex only.