New Daytona 126500 Appreciation Post and Comparison vs 116500

[RollingInTheDeep]

Originally Posted by rockysw

purely from looks perspective, I think 126500 is perhaps better looking watch (although subjective). But it is the oddities of the 116500 which makes it stand out for me compared to 12 series (uneven lugs, full ceramic etc etc). So these little things made me prefer it and pull the trigger on 116500.

Re value, as many have said, these are mass produced watches. So neither will in my view become crazy collector pieces. As an example, HULK is usually touted as an unusual rolex for reasons we all know. Around 221k of these were produced (from the new book). A watch that has been produced 221k times, just cannot be rare in my mind.

I will say - 12 in black beats the 11. But as much as I realize newest=best for many, the balance of the white 11 and full ceramic bezel as you mention continues to give it an edge IMO. That said, we're splitting hairs at the end o the day, the white 12 is an absolutely amazing timepiece.

[fly4food84]

I liked the black 126 so much I had to pick this up today.




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[Lol-x]

Originally Posted by garyk

Sometimes the effort to get a watch makes it all the more special.

You mean the satisfaction of having bought 5 other Rolex models prior to qualifying for your AD to deem you worthy of a Daytona? (PS. Focusing can be your friend).

On a separate isssue:
Bro the 116500 simply has a cleaner more tool like persona than the dainty and cluttered extra external steel bezel ring of the 126500.

The 126500 outer steel bezel ring is just a completely unnecessary non-functional component.

[Reloaded85x]

116500 panda looks much better than 126500 IMO. The “full ceramic” bezel and a short 7 year run is a recipe for a future classic.

[Ferrari-F430]

To me, I like both. I am intrigued by the look of the 116500 because I've been dreaming of it for years... now that the 126500 brings on a new and fresh perspective, there's something (to me) about having the "latest and greatest".

Ideally, I'd like to own both.. but, since I'm "well off" and not "rich" (I know, this is perspective lol), I need to just pick one and be happy (and in turn, make my wife happy).

If I was picking one up tomorrow and I could pick between both, I think I'd go with the 126500... it's more rare at the moment and again, I like having the latest model. Now if the difference in value is significant, let's say I can get the 116500 for $5K less, it would be tempting to do it and invest that other $5K in another watch or something else, as I would be as happy with both just to have it on my wrist.

I've had a lot of big life events this year and have actually been trying to line things up to finally get a Daytona.. but since I'll never get one at an AD, I'm probably not going to have the funds to do it anytime soon.

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

You mean the satisfaction of having bought 5 other Rolex models prior to qualifying for your AD to deem you worthy of a Daytona? (PS. Focusing can be your friend).

On a separate isssue:
Bro the 116500 simply has a cleaner more tool like persona than the dainty and cluttered extra external steel bezel ring of the 126500.

The 126500 outer steel bezel ring is just a completely unnecessary non-functional component.

I blew the photo up too much I guess, it looked clear to me until I posted it lol…the other Rolex’s I own were bought from other ADs over the years and the AD where I had bought the most watches including for my wife and kids, lost their Rolex franchise after I waited for years for the next watch. This Daytona came from a Rolex boutique in Florida shortly after they opened and after the watch was introduced at Basel. It’s been a ride but I’m in a good place now and not after any more.

[10splaya]

great pix!

I just wish I could get a Panda for less than 30k right now :(
New of course :P

[10splaya]

Originally Posted by garyk

I blew the photo up too much I guess, it looked clear to me until I posted it lol…the other Rolex’s I own were bought from other ADs over the years and the AD where I had bought the most watches including for my wife and kids, lost their Rolex franchise after I waited for years for the next watch. This Daytona came from a Rolex boutique in Florida shortly after they opened and after the watch was introduced at Basel. It’s been a ride but I’m in a good place now and not after any more.

Where in Florida did you get your watch????

[garyk]

Originally Posted by 10splaya

Where in Florida did you get your watch????

I private messaged you. Unfortunately it was almost 9 years ago

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

You mean the satisfaction of having bought 5 other Rolex models prior to qualifying for your AD to deem you worthy of a Daytona? (PS. Focusing can be your friend).

On a separate isssue:
Bro the 116500 simply has a cleaner more tool like persona than the dainty and cluttered extra external steel bezel ring of the 126500.

The 126500 outer steel bezel ring is just a completely unnecessary non-functional component.

Better focus? Sadly, older iPhone too…




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[Farran]

Great reference! I love the white dial , enjoy it.

[Mystro]

[garyk]

Originally Posted by Mystro

There’s the way to photograph

[Wolfie]

Originally Posted by Reloaded85x

116500 panda looks much better than 126500 IMO. The “full ceramic” bezel and a short 7 year run is a recipe for a future classic.

1000% agreed. 116500 panda >>>>>>>> 126 panda

[Oytun]

I still like the look of bigger black bezel and subdials

[Osmin]

Too many 11s on this page for my liking, please post more 12s pics :)

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by Osmin

Too many 11s on this page for my liking, please post more 12s pics :)

Check karleones instagram - lots of great pics of his 126500

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by garyk

There’s the way to photograph

[Sublovin]

Minor differences. The general buying public won’t care.

[lcs77]

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[Afratello03]

They both look great, I like the smaller size of the older version but the new series has a better finishing IMO.

[Redsub71]

The old models have a vintage taste. The shape of the case born in 2000 is much smaller. The bezel is all ceramic, and the dials have brighter and more intense colors. The new models have a more modern and larger case completely redesigned, a beautiful ring that contains the ceramic insert and the colors of the dials are warmer and less bright.

[sampelligrino]

Just received my 126500 white dial, and had 116500 black dial a couple years ago that I used as a daily for a long time

My 2 cents:

- Hard to go wrong with either 11 or 12 series, both IMO are some of the top watches money can buy across brands

- Now that I have the 12 series in hand, the subtle changes all add up to make the watch feel more different in person than I imagined.. the biggest take away to me is the 11 series feels more sporty with the bolder hour markers subdials and chunkier ceramic bezel, the 12 series feels more refined and elegant with the slimmer hour markers subdials and more "proportional" ceramic bezel

- Relating to the chunkier bezel on 11 series, the ceramic/steel bezel overall looks quite a bit smaller visually on 12 series whether it's just an illusion or it actually is thinner, along with "smaller" in diameter with the steel ring addition

- Don't really notice the 12 series case being "thinner", or "wider" even given that the lugs are now symmetrical and the case now matches the PM cases versus the smaller less rounded asymmetrical lugs on the 11 series, overall feels the same size to me

- Someone else commented that the bracelet doesn't feel as solid on the 12 series and for whatever reason I'm inclined to agree with them. I can't put my finger on it or really describe it other than it feels just 90% as "solid" as the 11 series oyster bracelet, maybe it's just lighter? Not sure

- I was initially tempted to go with the black dial as it seems consensus is 11 series white, 12 series black, but glad I went with my gut as I feel the opposite that 11 series black dial is the better dial and on 12 series the white is the better dial, but this is splitting hairs and chocolate vs vanilla to me. Now that I have a white dial ceramic, I really like how the dial contrasts against the black/grey-ish bezel, somehow making the watch feel visually "smaller" rather than one large black circle when you combine the black dial with black bezel on 11 and 12 series

Again, can't really go wrong, we are just geeking out over tiny details

(PS not sure if I have to be a paid member but my God I had to resize the wrist shot pic down to basically a thumbnail from my iPhone photo to even be able to attach it here at 225kb)

[zabazja]

Originally Posted by sampelligrino

- I was initially tempted to go with the black dial as it seems consensus is 11 series white, 12 series black, but glad I went with my gut as I feel the opposite that 11 series black dial is the better dial and on 12 series the white is the better dial, but this is splitting hairs and chocolate vs vanilla to me. Now that I have a white dial ceramic, I really like how the dial contrasts against the black/grey-ish bezel, somehow making the watch feel visually "smaller" rather than one large black circle when you combine the black dial with black bezel on 11 and 12 series

Interesting, I feel the same about the 12 white. If you ask me, the 126500 white is the most beautiful of them all. I had a hard time to decide black or white. When I ordered, I had only seen the black and was very impressed. My wife pushed me to go with the white, which at that time I had not seen in person.

When it arrived, I doubted a bit if I had chosen the right color. The eyes were so used to the 11 white, I had to get used to the changes. After wearing it for a few days, the watch really hit me. The more refined look of the bezel ring, smaller hour markers, more subtle sub-dial rings make it all more elegant. And because it’s steel, it’s still sporty enough. The white is fun, super clear in daylight, but also very visible at night. And also adds to the sportiveness. It’s still the one to have.

I still have have multiple previous generation Daytona’s. To me, the bigger hour markers of the previous version are ugly. I really don’t like them. Some people bring it as a fact that the previous 11 white is the better one, I doubt they had the chance to wear and expierence the newer version.

There are many examples in the Rolex catalog where the previous model was better, but not in this case. I love the the 12!

[sampelligrino]

Originally Posted by zabazja

Interesting, I feel the same about the 12 white. The 126500 white is the most beautiful of them all. I was doubting between the black and white. When I ordered mine, I had only seen the black and was very impressed. My wife pushed me to go with the white, which I had not seen.

When my watch arrived, I doubted a bit if I had chosen the right color. The eyes were so used to the 11 white, and I had to get used to the new look. After wearing it for a few days, the watch really hit me. The more refined look of the bezel ring, smaller hour markers, more subtle sub-dial rings make it all more elegant. But because it’s steel, it’s still sporty enough. The white is fun, super clear in daylight, but also very visible at night. And adds to the sportiveness. It’s still the one to have.

I still have, and have had several previous generation Daytona’s. To me, the bigger our markers of the previous version are ugly. The thinner ceramic ring together with the metal outer ring is beter balanced than the wider older full ceramic. Some people bring it as a fact that the previous 11 white is the better one, I doubt they had the chance to wear and expierence the newer version.

There are many examples in the Rolex catalog where the previous model was better, but not in this case. I love the the 12!

Yeah I'd like to give it more than 3 hours but I'm inclined to agree that overall I'm liking the 12 series more than the 11. The Daytona is always elegant to my eyes, and even the 11 series is stunning, but the ethos feels more prevalent here with the 12

The only thing I miss is the more solid feeling of the 11 series bracelet, it's noticeable to my surprise, but easily a worthy trade off as everything else feels just slightly updated and balanced

[Texasjim]

116500 white, and 126500 black. Got both, had the options between the two when I purchased them. White 116500 is definitely more sporty, while the 126500 is definitely has a vintage vibe, yet more versatile. YMMV. Like most say here, “can’t go wrong with any of them”…very true.