Is anyone else not all that impressed with the Daytona?

[bluestreak]

I know this may be provocative, but I don’t get the hype over this watch. It seems to be so many people’s grail, but I think it’s meh, actually ugly.

Can someone explain why this is such a desired watch. It’s can’t all be the hype and the skyrocketing gray price…

[Tools]

There is always something that is at the top of the list, regardless of the product.

Why do people revere Red Subs.

[JSolution]

It’s a good watch - and a good looking watch. I’d definitely buy and wear at retail but not at todays price. But I’ve paid plenty over for other watches. The only thing that bugs me about the watch is the asymmetrical lugs.

[Seddyspaghetti]

For what? You’ve already made your mind about it. If you don’t like it you don’t like it.

[Mystro]

You just saved yourself $50k+.

Seriously, you don’t have to like it but if your gonna spend some time in the Rolex world, you should at least understand it’s significance in the grand scheme of the brand. It’s kinda like: you don’t have to like the looks of a 911 and still be a Porsche fan.

[1sttimerolex]

I used to think it was the least attractive rolex offering (not counting their pearlmasters and cellinis), with such busy dial (especially the new ones with all those letters crowding up the dial), let alone legibility issues....but now I find them super nice and really want one!!! Hahahahaha

[ThePalletFork]

If you don't like it, you don't like it. No biggy.

That's why this hobby is so fun. There is a watch for everyone

[franklee168]

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

[Daryl]

i like the panda version

[Oyster Sauce]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You just saved yourself $50k+.

Seriously, you don’t have to like it but if your gonna spend some time in the Rolex world, you should at least understand it’s significance in the grand scheme of the brand. It’s kinda like: you don’t have to like the looks of a 911 and still be a Porsche fan.

+1 This is well said I'm not enamored with the Daytona (at least the current SS iterations of it) and certainly do not even consider the current market prices worth paying, but it is IMO an undeniably good watch and important part of the Rolex portfolio.

[dpt.calvin]

I hate my Daytona.

[telesquire]

Yes, its not for me either. Value/cost aside I'd take pretty much every other model before that. I think a lot of people maybe those away from this forum buy it solely because it considered the 'top' model, its 'flash' and is shooting up in 'value' For me its a bit 1980's looking and unecessary. And yes before someone says it, I could/can afford one. I didn't want them when they sat in AD's windows available cheap.

[bluestreak]

Oh I think it’s a good watch and a significant watch. But I can’t figure out for the life of me why it’s fetching these premiums. I understand the BLRO to some extent. It’s the first GMT to come in an iconic colorway in many years. There were a ton of people waiting for that watch.
But I don’t think (?) it was like that with the Daytona. And it’s commanding premiums that are 2-3 times that of the Pepsi.
I’m just trying to figure it out. Is is scarcity? Something else?

[SlowhandBuzz]

I'm a big chronograph fan and years ago the Daytona wouldn't have scratched my top 25, now that I've grown to appreciate what it is, it is easily in my top 5 and would love to be able to snag a ceramic if given the opportunity.

[B2 Stealth]

Appreciate the Daytona but simply not for me. One of my least favorite Rolex models. Like a Breitling Navitimer. Useless aviation slide rule. But both cool watches.

[FloridaBill]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You just saved yourself $50k+.

Seriously, you don’t have to like it but if your gonna spend some time in the Rolex world, you should at least understand it’s significance in the grand scheme of the brand. It’s kinda like: you don’t have to like the looks of a 911 and still be a Porsche fan.

Perfect analogy...I love Ferrari's, but had a chance to drive a 911 GT2 at the track and now see why people like them, but I am still sticking with Ferrari (and Daytona's too).

I prefer the new Daytona's over the older ones (gasp..) and still not a fan of the two-tone or gold ones, but those are just my opinions

[brandrea]

As chronographs go, it’s got one of the most bullet proof movements

[thenewrick]

Classic design but hugely overrated.

I’ll be interested when they update the movement to high beat rate and give it the new bracelet and slim the case a bit as well as other refinements.

It’s a nice watch for 2001.

[BigTasty]

that's the beauty of it. We all don't have to like the same thing, is subjective. Everything is attractive to at least one person.

Except my wife. Nobody is attracted to THAT.

[paxjedi]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I know this may be provocative, but I don’t get the hype over this watch. It seems to be so many people’s grail, but I think it’s meh, actually ugly.

Can someone explain why this is such a desired watch. It’s can’t all be the hype and the skyrocketing gray price…

I personally don't like it and with my bad eyesight I would not be able to tell the time easily looking at a Daytona versus an Explorer.
But to answer your question, the simple demographics of Daytona buyers are:

01% - use it for car racing
10% - truly understand the heritage and owned it for 30 years
29% - millionaires who got carried with the hype and buy at grey prices
60% - not millionaires but also got carried with the hype and bought from AD and plan to sell it 10 years later


Flame on...

[rolexperfect]

I owned it for several months, it's nice watch, but specially the Panda, is like Rolex's flagship watch... which means that it attracts a lot of wrong attention. Would I re-buy it? yes, would I do it at 45k? Nope. I would do at retail, hell yeah. You can get a nicer 15300ST, or a 25860ST, for the price of a Daytona on the second market.

[Kyle3130]

It's because one sold for over $17.5 million and that is all. I agree with you OP. I don't see what others see in this watch.

[Goin2drt]

Originally Posted by bluestreak

I know this may be provocative, but I don’t get the hype over this watch. It seems to be so many people’s grail, but I think it’s meh, actually ugly.

Can someone explain why this is such a desired watch. It’s can’t all be the hype and the skyrocketing gray price…

I do not care for it. I like the looks however no date, size, hard to read the time and the hype are all reasons I would not own another one.

[RHJ]

Nice watch, but badly readable

[DK7]

Originally Posted by FloridaBill

Perfect analogy...I love Ferrari's, but had a chance to drive a 911 GT2 at the track and now see why people like them, but I am still sticking with Ferrari (and Daytona's too).

I prefer the new Daytona's over the older ones (gasp..) and still not a fan of the two-tone or gold ones, but those are just my opinions

Try GT3 RS at track and you will like it even more.

[rmwill]

I like them, especially precious metal ones on women. Recent travels have taken me to places where seeing women wearing them was surprisingly common. The size works perfectly. My chrono is a Speedy.

[alllexandru]

All above good points.
It is a nice watch for sure, historical heritage and recognition : Yes.
All these valid on MRSP (talking for SS) however on "other" market is not worth the price, I know price is subjective ..
Would love to own one but only at MRSP and this is not possible for me at least

[Krash]

The Daytona is almost like science fiction to me...

If I walked into an AD, and there was one in the display case available at retail, then I'd buy it in a heartbeat.

Since that'll never happen, I never even think about this watch to be honest.

At least with the GMT II (Batman or Pepsi), my local AD told me I might have a chance to get one of those...

[ts3]

In terms of looks I like a good old IWC 3706 (or 3705) at least as much and yet the Daytona has me intrigued now and then. Not much of a chrono guy, not a Rolex person either, and I prefer to have a date, but sometimes I am thinking I need to get a Daytona for a long test ride and either keep or let go again.

[H25B]

It’s awesome, but I prefer the Omega Speedmaster due to historical significance and I don’t need to chronographs.