Appreciating Daytona

[sbyted]

Last year I became owner of a Daytona.

Before purchasing it, I read chatters that the Chronograph really is not all that useful a complication, compared to a Date window.

I've found this largely to be true; I do miss the date function.

However, what I underestimated was the "fun" factor to the chronograph complication.

What separates the chronograph complication from date, annual calendar or moonphase is the fact that a chronograph is an "active" complication that you get to interact with; not dissimilar to manual wind or minute repeater.

That is, when you are using this complication, you are actively engaging with the internals of the time piece, as opposed to just reading off the date.

This has prove to be tremendous fun. Especially when you reset a chrono and all 3 hands simultaneously align to the 12 oclock positions.

[Tylerlsu2008]

How do you feel about the screw down pushers?

[sbyted]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

How do you feel about the screw down pushers?

Great question, almost forgot this detail.

I leave them in the most "uncrewed" position at all times. Because:

1. I read this was how Paul Newman used to wear his.

2. Plenty of Chronographs on the market do not have screw down pushers. So I'd imagine if they all can manage to ensure dusts do not get into the watch, so can a Rolex.

[amphr1]

I worry about water but also feel that without the screwdown, if you bang it against a wall it will break much easier.

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[1William]

I have owned all of the Daytona's, except the recent releases, in every metal and can appreciate the watch for what it is. For me the Daytona suffers from the 2's.
2 Small
2 Expensive
2 Difficult to operate with the screw down pushers
2 Difficult to read
2 Difficult to obtain at retail

It is a very cool flex watch though. But I find many other chronographs to function as good or better for a fraction of the price.

[thesharkfactor]

Originally Posted by 1William

I have owned all of the Daytona's, except the recent releases, in every metal and can appreciate the watch for what it is. For me the Daytona suffers from the 2's.
2 Small
2 Expensive
2 Difficult to operate with the screw down pushers
2 Difficult to read
2 Difficult to obtain at retail

It is a very cool flex watch though. But I find many other chronographs to function as good or better for a fraction of the price.

Sounds like you have had..

2 Many

[denmanproject]

Appreciation is not always practical

[padi56]

Never have been a fan of the modern day Daytona,got to be the most hyped Rolex watch ever,but today hype sells watches as many buy the hype to wear it.Yes it has one of the finest chronograph movements ever made but it's a watch that does nothing for me.

[goldboy]

Originally Posted by Tylerlsu2008

How do you feel about the screw down pushers?

As a Daytona owner, I love the screwdown pushers - big time reassurance for that unforeseen dive into the sea, or jacuzzi session. Good luck doing that with a Speedmaster.

[hutch300]

I used to not understand the daytona in the era of bigger watches. I have right under a 7 inch wrist and I love the size, sporty elegance, and history of it. I could care less about the hype.

[omar-rye]

You can just leave the pushers unscrewed until you decide to do deep diving. You don’t need to screw down the pushers for the watch to be waterproof for many meters under water.

[goldboy]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

You can just leave the pushers unscrewed until you decide to do deep diving. You don’t need to screw down the pushers for the watch to be waterproof for many meters under water.

I'd be careful with this as they become easier to snag and bend with unscrewed. Perhaps if you were actively getting ready to time something, but not all day long.

[ShamRockNRoll]

Originally Posted by goldboy

As a Daytona owner, I love the screwdown pushers - big time reassurance for that unforeseen dive into the sea, or jacuzzi session. Good luck doing that with a Speedmaster.

I wear my speedy in the pool and ocean multiple times a year. No problems. And it's rated to be able to handle this activity just fine, despite this mistaken presumption that gets posted here rather often.

Just don't be a dummy and engage the pushers while in the water.

[turfmanjon]

Originally Posted by goldboy

I'd be careful with this as they become easier to snag and bend with unscrewed. Perhaps if you were actively getting ready to time something, but not all day long.

I’ve kept my pushers unscrewed 100% of the time since owning my PT Daytona. Similar to other chronos I’ve owned. Would screw in if go swimming, but that’s it. Like to keep ready to go for timing daily activities. Part of the fun in having a Chrono is using it to time useless things!


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[subprimero]

For even more interaction, try a manual wind chronograph for your next watch.

[alex.cicollo]

I love Chronos too.

Got 3 Daytonas, a Snoopy, a 321, a Tokyo speedy, and …. please don’t judge me …. a few MoonSwatches.

[PenDelicate]

I wish I could think logically about watches.

But I just can't.

I wish I could look at my Daytona and think, "Hang on. I have to screw-down the pushers for maximum water-resistance/to avoid damage? That's ridiculous." Or, "Hang on. It's not as legible as a Sub? What's the point?" Or, "It measures to 1/8th of second? What on earth use is that?" Or react logically to any of its other drawbacks: cost, availability, early history of pathetic sales, etc. I'd be a devoted quartz-chrono man, and be happy.

But I can't.

For me, it's all about the feels.

The best way I can explain it is:

20240317_115318 by Tom Kennedy, on Flickr

But I fully understand that that explanation will carry no weight for others.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by 1William

I have owned all of the Daytona's, except the recent releases, in every metal and can appreciate the watch for what it is. For me the Daytona suffers from the 2's.
2 Small
2 Expensive
2 Difficult to operate with the screw down pushers
2 Difficult to read
2 Difficult to obtain at retail

It is a very cool flex watch though. But I find many other chronographs to function as good or better for a fraction of the price.

A true 40 or 41mm and with real Panda or reverse Panda subdials and I get the hype, otherwise its just not worth all the hoopla, its just a very decent watch like most Rolex others.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Originally Posted by 1William

I have owned all of the Daytona's, except the recent releases, in every metal and can appreciate the watch for what it is. For me the Daytona suffers from the 2's.
2 Small
2 Expensive
2 Difficult to operate with the screw down pushers
2 Difficult to read
2 Difficult to obtain at retail

It is a very cool flex watch though. But I find many other chronographs to function as good or better for a fraction of the price.

Daytona owner here - couldn't agree more... Daytona's are underwhelming tbh (sad)

[sbyted]

Originally Posted by subprimero

For even more interaction, try a manual wind chronograph for your next watch.

It is so funny you mention it: I was just at a local dealer checking out a Patek 5070.

Luckily for me, it's outside my budget, so I don't have to worry about it.

[77T]

Originally Posted by sbyted

Great question, almost forgot this detail.

I leave them in the most "uncrewed" position at all times. Because:

1. I read this was how Paul Newman used to wear his.

2. Plenty of Chronographs on the market do not have screw down pushers. So I'd imagine if they all can manage to ensure dusts do not get into the watch, so can a Rolex.

There was a good reason PLN didn't screw them down...when he owned them, the pushers didn't screw down.




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[Joearch]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

I wish I could think logically about watches.

But I just can't.

I wish I could look at my Daytona and think, "Hang on. I have to screw-down the pushers for maximum water-resistance/to avoid damage? That's ridiculous." Or, "Hang on. It's not as legible as a Sub? What's the point?" Or, "It measures to 1/8th of second? What on earth use is that?" Or react logically to any of its other drawbacks: cost, availability, early history of pathetic sales, etc. I'd be a devoted quartz-chrono man, and be happy.

But I can't.

For me, it's all about the feels.

The best way I can explain it is:

20240317_115318 by Tom Kennedy, on Flickr

But I fully understand that that explanation will carry no weight for others.

Agree 100%. I absolutely love them on the wrist. As someone who has spent an entire career in the design world the Daytona is an absolute classic to me.
30 years of collecting still feel the same way. Not sure why the Daytona is such a controversial object. If you don’t like buy something else. Why be upset with the people that do??

[Bazil]

Originally Posted by padi56

Never have been a fan of the modern day Daytona,got to be the most hyped Rolex watch ever,but today hype sells watches as many buy the hype to wear it.Yes it has one of the finest chronograph movements ever made but it's a watch that does nothing for me.

I honestly can’t say I’ve ever read you mention this …

[goldboy]

Originally Posted by turfmanjon

I’ve kept my pushers unscrewed 100% of the time since owning my PT Daytona. Similar to other chronos I’ve owned. Would screw in if go swimming, but that’s it. Like to keep ready to go for timing daily activities. Part of the fun in having a Chrono is using it to time useless things!


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This is like saying you never wear a helmet when you ride your bike, and so far no issues.

Sure you could get away with it for a while, but any unlucky hit at a weird angle on one of the pushers is going to cause more damage than when it's screwed down.

[goldboy]

Originally Posted by ShamRockNRoll

I wear my speedy in the pool and ocean multiple times a year. No problems. And it's rated to be able to handle this activity just fine, despite this mistaken presumption that gets posted here rather often.

Just don't be a dummy and engage the pushers while in the water.

I'm sure it can be done as you've been doing, but it's certainly not as safe as a screw down Daytona. Those pushers can accidentally be pushed as well.

[Old Expat Beast]

I wonder how G-Shocks can have four or five non-screwdown pushers yet have twice the WR (200m) of a Daytona.

[brandrea]

Try a manual wind chronograph for added interaction

[turfmanjon]

Originally Posted by subprimero

For even more interaction, try a manual wind chronograph for your next watch.

A 3861 Speedy is a perfect way to dip your toe into this water. And the water feels great!


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