126500 Daytona vs GMT II comfort

[OTX]

Hello guys,

For the ones that own a modern steel Daytona(126500ln) and a steel GMT II 126710 model, how does the comfort compare?. Is one a lot more comfortable than the other?. I’m sure someone here owns both. Thanks in advance!

[ikincooper]

I have experience with the 11 digit versions both on oyster and find that they wear very similar comfort wise.

If you got the GMT on a jubilee bracelet I would expect that to tip the comfort factor in the direction of the GMT.

For what it’s worth I have a smallish 6.25” wrist.

Quite different looking watches. Which do you prefer the look of OP?


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[OTX]

Originally Posted by ikincooper

I have experience with the 11 digit versions both on oyster and find that they wear very similar comfort wise.

If you got the GMT on a jubilee bracelet I would expect that to tip the comfort factor in the direction of the GMT.

For what it’s worth I have a smallish 6.25” wrist.

Quite different looking watches. Which do you prefer the look of OP?


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I think both look beautiful!. I appreciate the simplicity and clean looks of the GMTI but I also love chronographs!. I already have a Sprite on a jubilee and thinking about adding a Daytona soon.

[Bazil]

For a smaller wrist I’d go for Daytona … both fit great, 40mm, and as mentioned Jubilee is very comfortable bracelet ..

[Bazil]

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Bazil

Beautiful collection you got there. I have a 7.75 inch wrist and from what I’m reading, the new Daytona reference is a true 40mm whereas the 116500 was a 38.5mm.

[Bazil]

GMT fits bit bigger than my 116500 did ..

[ikincooper]

Originally Posted by Bazil

GMT fits bit bigger than my 116500 did ..

Agree


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[Mystro]

11 Series Daytona is a bit more comfortable to me over the GMT/jubilee because the Daytona case is more organic, flatter case back, thinner. That’s not to say the GMT is uncomfortable and much more comfortable than a SS Sub. I feel both Daytona and GMT is as perfect a pair as it gets because of what both bring.

[Neil McCauley]

Both fit great, but the 126500LN is a lot more wearable and comfortable in general. I’ve been wearing my Daytona daily now for the last month or so, and whenever I put my GMT on, it feels really big in comparison.
Both watches are still very comfortable though, the Daytona pops it overall for comfort for me.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Mystro

11 Series Daytona is a bit more comfortable to me over the GMT/jubilee because the Daytona case is more organic, flatter case back, thinner. That’s not to say the GMT is uncomfortable and much more comfortable than a SS Sub. I feel both Daytona and GMT is as perfect a pair as it gets because of what both bring.

I agree. They make a great duo!. Reason I asked was i noticed that the Daytona has a much flatter case back. On the GMT II the part of the caseback that sits on your wrist measures 21mm. On the 116500 and 126500, it’s 28mm. The 116500 looks flatter than the 126500 but from all the pics I could find, it’s the same. I think it’s because the newer reference Daytona gained about a 1.5mm in diameter so it looks smaller.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Neil McCauley

Both fit great, but the 126500LN is a lot more wearable and comfortable in general. I’ve been wearing my Daytona daily now for the last month or so, and whenever I put my GMT on, it feels really big in comparison.
Both watches are still very comfortable though, the Daytona pops it overall for comfort for me.

Great to hear from someone who owns both and specifically the Sprite. I would have guessed the Daytona was more comfortable based on pics. I travel a lot for work and I got my Sprite at a dealer in Texas but he told me it would be very hard to get a Daytona. You are one lucky guy to have both!. I could be happy forever just owing the Sprite and the Daytona!.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by OTX

I agree. They make a great duo!. Reason I asked was i noticed that the Daytona has a much flatter case back. On the GMT II the part of the caseback that sits on your wrist measures 21mm. On the 116500 and 126500, it’s 28mm. The 116500 looks flatter than the 126500 but from all the pics I could find, it’s the same. I think it’s because the newer reference Daytona gained about a 1.5mm in diameter so it looks smaller.

The 11 series Daytona does have a flatter case back. It is THE most comfortable Rolex I have ever wore and I have owned a lot of Rolex models over the decades. The GMT is a different animal and its looks are more comparable to a Sub. The GMT is a better choice in comfort if you are looking for the GMT/Sub chunkier sporty look. The Daytona in general is in a different league that those.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Mystro

The 11 series Daytona does have a flatter case back. It is THE most comfortable Rolex I have ever wore and I have owned a lot of Rolex models over the decades. The GMT is a different animal and its looks are more comparable to a Sub. The GMT is a better choice in comfort if you are looking for the GMT/Sub chunkier sporty look. The Daytona in general is in a different league that those.

From what I’ve seen online, they have the same exact case back flatness. If you look at the pic below, they measure exactly the same.



If you forward to 3:10, they’re the same. It just looks different. It definitely seems like a very comfortable watch and I will get one soon hopefully.

https://youtu.be/WkZ3BhywVCo

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by OTX

From what I’ve seen online, they have the same exact case back flatness. If you look at the pic below, they measure exactly the same.



If you forward to 3:10, they’re the same. It just looks different. It definitely seems like a very comfortable watch and I will get one soon hopefully.

https://youtu.be/WkZ3BhywVCo

It’s not the size but how different in the case back is designed. Notice the measurements of the red arrow and what part it’s pointing to in the previous pic. That brushed area is the “flat” part.
The higher the case back “hat” protrudes out, the more room is inside for the movement. The polished area is where the cased back pushes out. The brushed area is the flat side and what’s the most important as it is what distributes the weight of the watch directly to your skin.

This is very important and more obvious on a dive watch like this SD43. Its case back is why so many had a comfort issue over its bigger brother DSSD. The flatter the case back the more comfortable.

[OTX]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Size is different in how the case back is designed. The higher the case back “hat” protrudes out, the more room is inside for the movement.

Design is different for sure but for me knowing the part that actually sits on my wrist is the same as the previous version makes me think it will also be comfortable. From the pic you provided, it looks like the actual matte flat part is smaller but it’s not from my research. I agree with you that matte part is the important part when it comes to comfort and if you measure the matte part in both references, it’s the exact same. I think the pic you provided is not correct of both references. Hopefully soon I’ll post pics!.

[Tools]

I have a couple of dozen, and I can't really tell a difference in "comfort" levels.

Get the watch you want for the reasons you choose. One that feels good to you might be completely different with somebody else.

[928ktgold]

I have both and the Daytona is more comfortable. When you extend your wrist it will never dig into the watch. The GMT just slightly digs in but not really. Not like my 124060 no date sub. When you cover the watch/cup it with your other hand, the Daytona feels smoother. So moderate edge to the Daytona for comfort as a daily.


I had the 116500LN white for about 4 years and it was very comfortable. It was hard to let go due to that because of its size compared to the slightly larger 126500LN.

[OTX]

Appreciate all the input guys. Will be getting a Daytona shortly…somehow :-)

[OTX]

Originally Posted by 928ktgold

I have both and the Daytona is more comfortable. When you extend your wrist it will never dig into the watch. The GMT just slightly digs in but not really. Not like my 124060 no date sub. When you cover the watch/cup it with your other hand, the Daytona feels smoother. So moderate edge to the Daytona for comfort as a daily.


I had the 116500LN white for about 4 years and it was very comfortable. It was hard to let go due to that because of its size compared to the slightly larger 126500LN.

Very nice watches!. So you would say the 116500 and the 126500 wear just as comfortable?

[watchwatcher]

I've always found the GMT to fit a little looser and the Daytona a little tighter, probably due to the respective case size of each.

But, there isn't much difference, if any, between them in terms of overall fitment. To be fair, I don't own a 12-series Daytona, so it might be different.

[1William]

I have found that the GMT wears better for me on jubilee. I had two 11 Daytona's and think they are too small for my 7.5-7.75 inch wrist.

[brandrea]

Good luck OP, hope you land one soon

[OTX]

Originally Posted by brandrea

Good luck OP, hope you land one soon

Appreciate it!!!. It’s going to happen sooner than later

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by OTX

Appreciate it!!!. It’s going to happen sooner than later

[StackLexus17]

The Daytona is more comfortable.
For me it's the slimmer case and lines.

The GMT is thicker and has different case lines.
This contributes to a different case to bracelet balance.

Both are great watches!

[bp1000]

Daytona, easily.

It's one of the most comfortable watches I own in steel.

[928ktgold]

Originally Posted by OTX

Very nice watches!. So you would say the 116500 and the 126500 wear just as comfortable?

Yes both 116 and 126 Daytonas are very comfortable. My most comfortable watch. As comfortable as my 16610LV

[OTX]

Originally Posted by 928ktgold

Yes both 116 and 126 Daytonas are very comfortable. My most comfortable watch. As comfortable as my 16610LV

Appreciate the insight!. It looked comfortable but good to hear it from someone who has both!. Definitely going to be getting one!.

[Cambo]

Have both…love both. But IMHO the jubilee is more comfortable but….barely