Might go Gray for a 126500LN...Am I crazy?

[dmash]

Yes you are. I’ll die on this hill that it’s nuts to pay $30k for these. Hype aside they’re nowhere close to worth this.

[Rolexforthewin]

Sorry, but I would never pay grey prices for any Rolex!

[Pboned]

I personally wouldn’t but it comes down to money. If you just have that kind of money and you’re cool with it, do it.

[SLWoodster]

Sad to say but…

It’s not crazy at all when “the steel piece” at PP is $100k, then “that other steel piece” is at $70k.

Then you think about that this one has a chronograph and is at $30k. It doesn’t hurt quite as much. If you reduce the prices proportionally back down to 2019, then it’s not bad at all.

Originally Posted by Hollie_Rollie

That’s a tough position to be in. 30k for a steel piece that isn’t AP or PP is crazy


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[aboutime]

Originally Posted by T-Whiskey

I'm getting married next month and want to mark the occasion. I'm a good customer at 2 AD's, but am fully aware I am nowhere near the spend for a Panda. I asked for a few lesser pieces in the previous months to celebrate the wedding and it doesn't look like they'll be able to deliver. Am I totally out of my mind to go gray for a 126500LN? Looks like prices are in the low $30s and just wanted to pick everyones brain on my idea. I certainly have no intention of selling the watch, but having the price tank after purchase isn't a great feeling. Wondering if anyone has any advice or regret on going gray for you grail piece?

Thanks!!

You’re only crazy if you buy something you cannot afford. Many including myself don’t see the value in the current premium over retail, but there a good number that do and are enjoying this time piece with zero regret. Good luck!

[spellmanski]

I honestly think, that with the Daytona, the chances that someone actually gets on at retail are slow low, going grey is worth it (and probably the only option to get it). Therefore, the "market" price for that individual really is the gray price, and retail price isn't really relevant.

[tmy727]

Originally Posted by BriansRolex

I've bought all my watches from grey dealers and never had any regrets it's not worth playing the AD games IMO

I agree ...

[SLWoodster]

Don't die.

We can see with the replica prices what it costs manufacturer 95% of that watch with less refinements of course.

We can see with the Tudor chronograph what it costs to make a chronograph with margin. We can see with the Tudor pelagos what it costs to make a titanium watch with ceramic bezel.

We already know that the daytona, if using the Tudor pricing scale, should be around $6000 with margin.

It's not just hype. When people are comparing these prices, people are usually comping brand and model value compared to something right above or right below. The daytona comps to something like a stainless Royal Oak when it comes to brand and model cachet. It doesn't comp to a Omega or Breitling chronograph.

Then, now we have too much demand, not enough supply, so ADs and brands can play all kinds of games adding to the cost of the item.

Originally Posted by dmash

Yes you are. I’ll die on this hill that it’s nuts to pay $30k for these. Hype aside they’re nowhere close to worth this.

[geoach]

nuts 15k you're paying for a watch that was made for 5k when it left the factory.......all hype mass produced with cheap materials ss and brass

[bmwsubmariner]

So for those saying they would't pay the gray prices for a new Stainless Daytona, what about a vintage Zenith stainless Daytona? Does that change people's tune? Maybe since it isn't in production anymore?

Again, I'm asking this as someone that has wanted a Daytona for almost 10 years and is between a Zenith and a 116500.

[Daytonaman799]

I don’t think it’s crazy to go grey when you factor in the bundle they want you to buy to get it at retail. If you are buying the other jewelry anyway…great. If not….nope. It’s cheaper to go grey. I like the previous model which can be had for mid 20’s. Congrats on your wedding.

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by T-Whiskey

I'm getting married next month and want to mark the occasion. I'm a good customer at 2 AD's, but am fully aware I am nowhere near the spend for a Panda. I asked for a few lesser pieces in the previous months to celebrate the wedding and it doesn't look like they'll be able to deliver. Am I totally out of my mind to go gray for a 126500LN? Looks like prices are in the low $30s and just wanted to pick everyones brain on my idea. I certainly have no intention of selling the watch, but having the price tank after purchase isn't a great feeling. Wondering if anyone has any advice or regret on going gray for you grail piece?

Thanks!!

I paid grey for an 116500 and have zero regrets. I paid a good bit more than current prices, 0 regrets. I wear it every day


If you won't lose sleep if it loses 10k-20k in value, you're ready.

[spellmanski]

Originally Posted by bmwsubmariner

So for those saying they would't pay the gray prices for a new Stainless Daytona, what about a vintage Zenith stainless Daytona? Does that change people's tune? Maybe since it isn't in production anymore?

Again, I'm asking this as someone that has wanted a Daytona for almost 10 years and is between a Zenith and a 116500.

This is 100% my situation.. and the prices for each are not all that different anymore... but I've landed on the fact I don't care whether others thing going grey is nuts or not. To me, it's whether I can find the right one at the right price because I will never get one at retail...

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Daytonaman799

I don’t think it’s crazy to go grey when you factor in the bundle they want you to buy to get it at retail. If you are buying the other jewelry anyway…great. If not….nope. It’s cheaper to go grey. I like the previous model which can be had for mid 20’s. Congrats on your wedding.

This. As a standalone purchase it makes more sense to get it from gray market. If you want to build a long term relationship (i.e. you like a lot of watches, going to buy plenty of jewellery etc) then you may have a chance with plenty of wait and patience.

[Daytona king]

Get it and congrats in advance.


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[Daytona king]

Get it. A little extra motivation.


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[JRell]

It’s a 15k watch and that is stretch. Never grey.

[gamingdoctor]

Originally Posted by JRell

It’s a 15k watch and that is stretch. Never grey.

I don't buy this thinking.

It's a 15k watch *only* if you spent 100k at the jewelry store OR you can be one of those lucky few that get it in 3-5 years (although there's a very high chance you don't).

Or it's a 30k watch tomorrow on your wrist.

Time is money. Buy what you value.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by gamingdoctor

I don't buy this thinking.

It's a 15k watch *only* if you spent 100k at the jewelry store OR you can be one of those lucky few that get it in 3-5 years (although there's a very high chance you don't).

Or it's a 30k watch tomorrow on your wrist.

Time is money. Buy what you value.

I never had to buy jewelry to get the Rolex I want. If I did, see ya Rolex! These are just watches not the water from the fountain of youth.

[gamingdoctor]

Originally Posted by JRell

I never had to buy jewelry to get the Rolex I want. If I did, see ya Rolex! These are just watches not the water from the fountain of youth.

I'm glad you didn't have to play AD games. I'm not sure that's a common sentient though with people trying to get Daytonas. I suppose it wouldn't hurt OP to ask his AD how likely this would be.

[JRell]

Originally Posted by gamingdoctor

I'm glad you didn't have to play AD games. I'm not sure that's a common sentient though with people trying to get Daytonas. I suppose it wouldn't hurt OP to ask his AD how likely this would be.

If I was the OP, I would give it a try, be patient, and see what happens. Nothing wrong with looking forward to something.

[watchaser]

If you are capable, I recommend buy now and enjoy now. I don't see the 126500 pricing fluctuating that much.

[Calatrava r]

Any decision yet?

[bmwsubmariner]

Originally Posted by spellmanski

This is 100% my situation.. and the prices for each are not all that different anymore... but I've landed on the fact I don't care whether others thing going grey is nuts or not. To me, it's whether I can find the right one at the right price because I will never get one at retail...

Exactly my thought. I’m currently thinking to go with the 116500 and then eventually add a 16710. I really like the feel of the 5 digit stuff and how well it wears. But the Daytona I originally was obsessed with was the ceramic. Had nothing to do with social media and had everything to do with me just thinking it was such a great looking watch.

[Ferrari-F430]

The market says it's worth $30K on the grey market.. if everyone truly felt like it wasn't worth it (like a majority here), they wouldn't move at that price. They do.

What makes on person happy may not make another happy in the same way. But I have friends that have died suddenly that didn't fulfill their dreams or get what they wanted because they held back. I'd hate to look back and think I could have done something that REALLY would have fulfilled a dream of mine vs. being too conservative.

To me, finding that balance between getting what I really want and not being crazy/risky with my bank account, then I will really think it over and very well may go for it.

If this watch means that much to you, go for it! And the best part? The watch will maintain MOST of it's value over time, maybe even go up, so while you're dropping $30K, it's equity and not blowing it on a major depreciating asset...

[SlideRacker]

Grey dealers are sitting with lots of inventory that's steadily being devalued. It's a buyer's market. Go grey and don't waste your time and life with ADs.

[Bazil]

I’ve not checked chrono24 for a while for the 116/126 but in uk they are certainly,softening so I’d certainly,say consider grey … we all know how hard it is to get at the AD ..