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5 July 2023, 03:37 PM | #1 |
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Is the 116500 the perfect steel Daytona?
Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation. For the steel Submariner it was 16610. For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710. Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona? |
5 July 2023, 04:33 PM | #2 |
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I think it may be at least for while. I don’t like things on the new model but of course I have yet to see the new one in the metal.
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5 July 2023, 04:58 PM | #3 | |
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Great question and comments. Imho I believe so. The watch from a size, fit, dimension perspective is perfect. Black or white dial. Both iconic and will stand the test of time. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
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5 July 2023, 05:08 PM | #4 |
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It could be, yes.
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5 July 2023, 05:16 PM | #5 |
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In terms of build quality, movement accuracy, no doubt the 116500 is the best.
However, in terms of pure aesthetic, the 6263 is almost unrivalled. There’s a reason why the new LeMan anniversary Daytona resembles the 6263, especially the black dial, Big Red variant. |
5 July 2023, 05:32 PM | #6 |
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Yes. Full stop.
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5 July 2023, 05:39 PM | #7 |
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I have both black and white 116500, but I like the 126500 much more, they have more vintage looking just like an update after 16520 directly. (But I will need to wait to see on hand for sure)
The 116500s on the other hand, the design language are softer and rounder, just like how 2010s cars, it feels ‘modern’, I still think they will remain icons that represent this decade after many years looking back. |
5 July 2023, 06:02 PM | #8 |
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I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all |
5 July 2023, 06:09 PM | #9 | |
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ICom Pro3 All posts are my own opinion and my opinion only. "The clock of life is wound but once, and no man has the power to tell just when the hands will stop. Now is the only time you actually own the time, Place no faith in time, for the clock may soon be still for ever." Good Judgement comes from experience,experience comes from Bad Judgement,.Buy quality, cry once; buy cheap, cry again and again. www.mc0yad.club Second in command CEO and left handed watch winder |
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5 July 2023, 06:13 PM | #10 | |
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5 July 2023, 06:21 PM | #11 |
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I think submariner is 16610LV, followed by 116610LV
Agreed Daytona is 116500LN
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5 July 2023, 06:37 PM | #12 |
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Exact thought I had reading that. I do love the 997 as well of course, but the 991.1 is just that tad more perfect I think.
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Omega: Seamaster Professional 300M 2220.80.00 Rolex: Daytona White Dial 116500LN Rolex: Sky-Dweller Blue Dial Jubilee 336934 Rolex: DateJust 36 Roman White Dial Oyster 126234 Rolex: OP 36 Celebration Dial 126000 Panerai: PAM 422 Patek Philippe: Aquanaut 5167A A. Lange & Söhne: 1815 Annual Calendar @mechanicaltom Stolen: IWC Portuguese 500107 Case number 3853222 |
5 July 2023, 06:43 PM | #13 | |
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But as usual, completely correct. I love my 116500 but I didn't pay a cent over retail and the reason for buying it was a personal goal I set myself first year out of high school... almost 20 years ago. But in general... it's sold by hype. However, Padi, could contributing factors also be, there isn't really an equal to the Daytona. By that I mean, Automatic, 100m WR , slim and 39ish mm? And of course, "reasonably priced", this side of 20k The Zenith is the closest but, a bigger watch... But... hype does still add more demand than any other factor.... by far I guess.
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Omega: Seamaster Professional 300M 2220.80.00 Rolex: Daytona White Dial 116500LN Rolex: Sky-Dweller Blue Dial Jubilee 336934 Rolex: DateJust 36 Roman White Dial Oyster 126234 Rolex: OP 36 Celebration Dial 126000 Panerai: PAM 422 Patek Philippe: Aquanaut 5167A A. Lange & Söhne: 1815 Annual Calendar @mechanicaltom Stolen: IWC Portuguese 500107 Case number 3853222 |
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5 July 2023, 06:50 PM | #14 | |
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The original 4 digit Paul Newman is hands down the #1 Daytona, and the original 6263/6265 Big Red is #2 IMO.
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5 July 2023, 07:24 PM | #15 |
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Obviously this is completely subjective, but no I personally I don't think the 116500LN is the "perfect" Daytona.
The reason I say that is because by the OP's yardstick of "every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula", the new 126500LN doesn't really deviate from the formula at all IMO (despite what some may say). In reality it's a VERY gentle evolution of the 116500LN, not an earth shattering revolution which leaves the 116500LN standing as some beacon of perfection. Plus (and this is a personal thing) by any measure, the asymmetrical lugs on the outgoing SS Daytonas are arguably not really "peak design" from an aesthetic standpoint....which is no doubt one reason why Rolex have changed it. Was the 116500LN a milestone? Yes of course it was, as it was the first ceramic bezel SS Daytona. Is it the perfect iteration? No, not IMO. For me the 126500LN is already a demonstrable improvement. JMO and YMMV.
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5 July 2023, 11:47 PM | #16 |
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It's a great watch, to be sure, but...
Really, time will ultimately tell. Until then, I think it's all pretty much speculation, and, if I were to speculate,I don't know how you'd make the claim any 5 (or even 6) digit series is the peak when there are so many great 4 digit watches. And speaking of 4 digit watches, the Paul Newman would be a pretty tough one for any modern Daytona to surpass. But, hey, since we're just spitballing here, I'll throw one out: I think the greatest iteration of the EXP2 is the 1655. |
5 July 2023, 11:54 PM | #17 |
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Yes and Yes 100% you are correct. As Padi said nobody wanted the 6263 it was sold at discount and grey dealers even refused to buy them. It's just hyped because of the Paul Newman factor and charity auction, not sure if the buyer was revealed, it may be Rolex itself. The 6263 is actually the most hyped Daytona not the 116500.
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6 July 2023, 12:04 AM | #18 |
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Nice!
I really like the look of the ring around the bezel.
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6 July 2023, 12:10 AM | #19 |
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I really like the look of the newest Daytona. I can take or leave the metal ring around the ceramic bezel. I can easily understand why many don't like it and thus prefer the previous generation model. I still feel all the other changes are for the better on the newest model.
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6 July 2023, 12:14 AM | #20 |
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For the new 126500 Daytona the sought after model will be the black in my opinion. The white Panda 116500 will always be the iconic face for the Daytona for years to come, they ruined the Panda look on the new white 126500.
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6 July 2023, 12:21 AM | #21 | |
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6 July 2023, 12:35 AM | #22 |
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I’ve had four SS Daytonas from three generations. My black dial 116500 is my favorite and the incremental changes to the 12 series aren’t enough to make me want to change.
Oh, and 991.1 911 for me too. |
6 July 2023, 12:41 AM | #23 | |
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As far as the 911 and owning every model over the last 30+ years. The ultimate modern 911 would be the 991.2 from my perspective. 991.2 was perfection in build quality, materials, design and performance. Everything was just dialed in and the torque was significantly stronger from low rpm’s all the way up. You had all the tech with out it dominating the interior design and the build options were at the very top without Covid compromise. I sold my 992 and searched for a for a top 991.2 Exclusive Manufaktur model. On a side note: TRF is such a fun place for so many reasons besides watches as many of us have so many similar passions outside of our time pieces..
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6 July 2023, 01:12 AM | #24 | |
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6 July 2023, 01:25 AM | #25 |
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For me (obviously only from photos), the new rim around the ceramic of the 12-series has taken-on the appearance of a frame around a painting. I really like it.
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6 July 2023, 01:26 AM | #26 |
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The best, perfect steel Daytona is the one the wearer owns and enjoys wearing the most.
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6 July 2023, 01:32 AM | #27 |
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Aestheticcally speaking, nothing has ever matched these two beauties!!!!
And the 16520....still better looking than the 116500!! |
6 July 2023, 01:37 AM | #28 |
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Meh give me gold over steel :)
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6 July 2023, 01:40 AM | #29 | |
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6 July 2023, 01:41 AM | #30 |
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