116520 - Middle Child Treatment?

[illiguy]

Seems the 116520 doesn’t get a lot of love in the SS Daytona range. People love the previous series Zenith (16520) and, of course, the now ceramic SS Daytonas (116500 and 126500). Market pricing seems to reflect the same.

I personally really like these models, as they’re effectively 116500s without ceramic bezel.

For those that own and admire these, why?

For those that don’t find these appealing, care to share why?

[Jack T]

The 116520, white dial, is the only Daytona I care to own.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by illiguy

Seems the 116520 doesn’t get a lot of love in the SS Daytona range. People love the previous series Zenith (16520) and, of course, the now ceramic SS Daytonas (116500 and 126500). Market pricing seems to reflect the same.

I personally really like these models, as they’re effectively 116500s without ceramic bezel.

For those that own and admire these, why?

For those that don’t find these appealing, care to share why?

When they first brought out the Zenith Daytona I had one on trial for a few weeks but returned it as it did not speak to me.When they introduced the Daytona way back in 2000 with the in-house cal 4130, mainly because Zenith ebauche movements that Rolex used they could not supply or would not supply enough, so Rolex had to make there first ever chronograph movement ever in 2000.And I would say it's in the top 5 of all chronograph movements ever made.But the Daytona must be the most hyped Rolex watches ever,but hype sells watches today as many buy the hype to wear it ,myself still not a fan of any modern automatic Daytona.

[Snowballs]

I have a 116520 and love the size and the look.

Very comfortable and fits well with my 4 and 5 digit references.

[rmagoo57]

I was not seriously looking for a 116520 but one found my wrist on Friday!! It's my first Daytona. I was really looking for something in white gold, a DD36 or Daytona, but nothing caught my eye until this one popped here on TRF. Bought it from a fellow member who barley wore it. It's in mint condition and the price was the lowest I could find so I pulled the trigger. I also like the 16520 zenith's but the 6 digit made the most economic sense to me especially for my first Rolex chrono!

[0nly5iv3Digits]

116520 owner here (white dial).

It's a piece that looks amazing in pictures, but it's negatives (for me, personally) outweigh it's pros.

Let's start w/positives:

1. Size and proportions are fantastic on-wrist

2. Crystal is nice and thick (thanks to the thicker gaskets rolex used on Daytona's of the
5 digit Zenith and early 6 digit era) - I happen to like that look!

3. Movement is phenomenal.

4. It has a steel bezel - Never liked the ceramic. Makes the watches look "cheap" imo, despite being a "technically" superior material. It just lacks the charm of the steel. Just my opinion, of course.

Negatives:

1. Impractical as an instrument to "tell the time". I'm fairly young (early 30s), so no need for "readers" just yet. I find telling the time to be a challenge.

2. Expensive (thanks to the hype) - The value in ownership given the price just isn't there for me.

3. In low light conditions, the white dial becomes a monochromatic sort of "silver". So Unless you live in a sunny part of the world, the dial looks "washed out" nearly all of the time - further adding to the illegibility. NOTE: The white dial is gorgeous, however, in sunlight!

4. The Daytona "Hype" - This is the only Rolex watch I've purchased (and I've owned nearly every sports model) that has been a "let-down" in the flesh. Sad, because I really wanted to love it. The hype here isn't real for me (and many others it seems as well).

Great watch all things considered, but I would WAY rather a Zenith or 4 digit Daytona.

That Said, I'd still take a 116520 over a modern 6 digit daytona any day :) - Just maybe a black dial

[ArtNouveau]

I had both dials of the 116520, white from 2000-‘04 and black from ‘04-‘08. Enjoyed both but prefer the aesthetics of my black 116500. Having compared my watch side by side with a black 126500 its changes aren’t enough to make me change.
Not a slight on either the previous or newer generations, I just like mine the best.

[BillA]

So why did I get into watches? When my Dad passed away, he left me nothing to remember him by. He wore no jewelry or even a wedding band. I have 3 children and wanted to change that, at least I hope so. So when each of my children graduated college they received one of my watches. My older son wanted the TT Sub, I gave that to him. For my daughter I could not give her one of my mens watches so I bought her a Cartier Roadster that she picked out. So far so good. When my other son graduated he got my SS Daytona, 116520, white dial. He wears it all the time, many times he turns to me and said it will never be sold, will always keep it. So to me the 116520 is a home run.

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Not a Daytona fan but this 116520 reference looks better than the ceramic references.

Black dial just works on the Daytona better imho. Gives it the menacing, businesslike vibe.


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[hutch300]

I think the main negative to me is they can wash out with so many polished surfaces. I still think they are nice and an excellent value for a Daytona

[Hkspwrsche]

I need the contrast of the zenith or current 116500 white dial to read the sub dials. I do actually use it for fun or cooking.

The black dial looks very elegant but I have trouble reading it quickly. I feel the same about the lack of contrast on the 116520 gray and black sub dials.

[Kyle3130]

I like symmetrical things (especially watches) and the 116520 and newer Daytonas just don’t look right to me. They aren’t aesthetically pleasing IMO. The hour markers are too fat and the sub dials at 3 and 9 don’t line up with the hour markers across the dial like the 16520 does. I’d choose the 16520 any day of the week and twice on Sundays just because it’s more appealing to my eye.

[2001jesper]

My favorite Daytona!! Just not ready to pay the grey premium

[Gargamel]

Owner of the 116520 black dial from 2009, with brownish subdial rings and the easylink.

It's a fantastic watch.
Yes, the Zenith Daytona looks a little sharper.

116520 vs 16520 is the classic 5 to 6 digit comparison.
Brushed lugs and old style bracelet vs a more solid feeling of a watch.

116520 vs Ceramic Daytona is really a matter of taste.
The ceramic adds a touch of sportiness while the steel bezel keep it classy.

I have a preference for the black dials for the 116520 because the white ones lack contrast.

And i wouldn't buy any of these for more than MSRP.
I'd rather buy a grey market Zenith Chronomaster for half of the street price of the cheapest Daytona.

[Chefinspecteur]

116520 white APH dial owner since 2009. I was asking myself the same questions like the OP, my love somehow disappeared. But brought my 116520 for servicing in RSC Geneva last year in summer. The watch came back like new, super shiny again! But I realized, that the love is over, but I am still wearing it in rotation with my DJ41, root beer and James Cameron. I prefer much more the new Daytonas with the ceramic bezel. So I am trying to get one through my AD. A very difficult task.

[Armis]

Originally Posted by rmagoo57

I was not seriously looking for a 116520 but one found my wrist on Friday!! It's my first Daytona. I was really looking for something in white gold, a DD36 or Daytona, but nothing caught my eye until this one popped here on TRF. Bought it from a fellow member who barley wore it. It's in mint condition and the price was the lowest I could find so I pulled the trigger. I also like the 16520 zenith's but the 6 digit made the most economic sense to me especially for my first Rolex chrono!

This is an excellent acquisition, congratulations.
Indeed, this version remains my all time favorite. I was a little taken aback when they introduced the ceramic versions. Still, the new white dial was notably improved.

[faimag]

I have a black 116520 from 2015 and is among my favs. I am in the minority who prefer the steel bezel over the ceramic.

[fooey]

I'm thinking of traded my 116520 for a blro but prices are still over inflated at the moment for the Pepsi. Not sure to go for 5 digit or 6?

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[karleone]

The 116520 is a great watch but the polished bezel is a scratch magnet and they never look good when repolished.

[travisb]

The 16520 Zenith Daytonas are my favorite. Simply gorgeous.
Strange because other than those I almost always prefer modern.

[travisb]

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[Bazil]

There’s not a single Daytona given the chance I wouldn’t own or wear, the 116520 black dial was the first Daytona I went for ..
I was in a position to get 116500 white dial, and now find myself picking up from my AD 126519 silver (ghostly) dial …
But I have a real passion for the Daytona model, it’s my favourite out of the Rolex line up ..
I think with the 116520 the bezel was easily scratched and polished the black indices would fade, ceramic bezel I think is the way to go ..
But for my collection a 116520 will be added, black or white dial, I couldn’t care less about APH - but a zenith version would be in my mind ..

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by travisb

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Have to agree. The subdial orientation of the modern references is something I just can’t unsee.

[bmwsubmariner]

16520 advantage is the brushed top of lugs and also the sub dials on the white model. Downside to me will always be the bracelet and clasp on this one.

116520 has a pretty big price advantage. Tropical watch just posted one for $16k. At that price I was considering it. But the high polished bezel and lugs is a slight disadvantage to me. On the 16520, you at least have the brushed lugs to contrast with the polished bezel.

116500 was the first Daytona I got excited for. It's what I'm trying to go after. Pricing has come down on them a bit.

[SL BRABUS]

Originally Posted by illiguy

For those that own and admire these, why?

Picture is worth a thousand words...

[pigman08]

Originally Posted by illiguy

For those that don’t find these appealing, care to share why?

I had a white one for about 5 yrs… I bought it because it was available when I walked into my AD on a whim… I definitely bought into the hype, but I initially loved it from a technical and aesthetic perspective… As time progressed and my eyesight regressed, I found that it became difficult to read, and I didn’t care for the silver-ringed sub-dials… I briefly flirted with the idea of trying to source a white dial from the 500 series in order to give it the look of the 16520 that I had been yearning for since the late 90’s, but I eventually decided to trade it for something that was easier for me to read… This would probably be committing sacrilege, but I’ve always thought that adding a touch of black paint to the hour and minute hands of any white dialed Daytona would make them so much easier to read to the point where I might still own mine.

[illiguy]

Originally Posted by faimag

I have a black 116520 from 2015 and is among my favs. I am in the minority who prefer the steel bezel over the ceramic.

Originally Posted by karleone

The 116520 is a great watch but the polished bezel is a scratch magnet and they never look good when repolished.

Really helpful to read feedback from everyone. I might be in the minority of actually liking how an honestly worn/unpolished 116520 looks. Here’s one I looked at recently, and it’s calling to me!












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[SLWoodster]

Plenty of hype on it.

116509 116519 Daytona beach flying high.

[Nick M]

Best Daytona in the lineup IMO.

Still feels like a tool watch, fairly subtle, no frills and all the history.

[PenDelicate]

One of Rolex's curious quirks: offering the steel 116520 alongside the six-digit gold Daytona for 16 years, but with bezel-text oriented horizontally on the steel Daytona while the text on the gold models was oriented radially.