The 126500LN Daytona outer steel bezel ring debate?

[MRBolton]

I think it looks cleaner with the bezel ring. Seeing the 116500 now, it looks almost a bit incomplete to my eye. The more I look at the 126500, the more sleek it looks in comparison.

I don't think Rolex cares a lot about calling back to vintage designs; they save that for Tudor.

[BNA/LION]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

Attachment 1465941

You can't argue with the dark outer ring on the sub-dials and that synchronicity with the plain dark ceramic bezel.

This is the Truth! It really ties the whole look together for me.

[mpkRolex]

Why I don’t know but they had to change something for the new reference with the updated movement. But I am warming up to it on my SS model below compared to the TT. I think it makes the bezel look slimmer and the side profile look more stealthy.




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[Lambo The Jambo]

Just to be different and it looks aesthetically stunning in my opinion.

[mile2424]

Originally Posted by ryanbush

I have both, and I'm not sure how anyone could like the 116 better than the 126, unless they just are nostalgic for the piece the already own.

Contrast alone?

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

Actually, the metal ring is a ding/dent magnet. It suddenly makes the new 126500 show wear like the 116520 and 16520.

Ask any Daytona buyer … what’s the first thing you look at to determine wear? It’s the bezel edge. It shows all dents and dings and polishing.


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^^ Bingo.

[ejvette]

I’m a fan I love the subtle changes on the new Daytona


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[rohada]

I always felt the ceramic bezel on the 11 series made it look like an ornate bezel protector. I've had other watches with similar construction. Dings and dents were not my issue on such watches. It is for others. The trim ring brings more refinement to the watch for me. Most people won't notice one way or the other and I can't think of a reason to bring it up in conversation.

[omar-rye]

The concern about the bezel ring getting dinged seems a bit overblown when you consider that around 90-95% of the watch’s exterior is metal anyway.

[Pinchy]

I'm guessing they were getting too many breakages during service that they are on the hook for. So they made it more "durable" but really only from their perspective because I've literally never seen a customer crack their daytona bezel.

[Pinchy]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

I think it looks cleaner with the bezel ring. Seeing the 116500 now, it looks almost a bit incomplete to my eye. The more I look at the 126500, the more sleek it looks in comparison.

I don't think Rolex cares a lot about calling back to vintage designs; they save that for Tudor.

There's a LOT of vintage to go around on the 126500. If you look at the le mans, every decision about the 126500 makes sense. Every element is an homage to vintage designs.

[JRell]

I never really noticed this before. Unbiased opinion as I would take either at retail, the former without the outside ring looks better and is more special.

[rolph]

I think to enhances the overall aesthetics, giving the watch a more modern and sporty look

[t65tampa]

I have a 116500 black dial and a 126500 white dial. I personally like the metal bezel edge as it gives the bezel a more finished look. I am also not going to bother trying to "upgrade" my 116500 to the new model. I'm glad I have one of each and I'm glad I was able to buy them from my two local authorized Rolex dealers.

[Mr. Superlative]

Originally Posted by t65tampa

I have a 116500 black dial and a 126500 white dial. I personally like the metal bezel edge as it gives the bezel a more finished look. I am also not going to bother trying to "upgrade" my 116500 to the new model. I'm glad I have one of each and I'm glad I was able to buy them from my two local authorized Rolex dealers.

+1. I also have the 116 in Blk, and 126 in white. Happy with my set.

[OG1982]

I think they new bezel ring looks great, breaks up the bark bezel nicely.

[enjoythemusic]

Originally Posted by Sydny2

Maybe it helps protect ceramic from getting damage?

^^^ this.

[njlam]

Don’t the other models with the ceramic bezel (Sub/GMT) also have the steel ring surrounding the bezel?

Perhaps the 12 series Daytona is making the bezel design language standard across professional models?


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[Lol-x]

There is no documented or known history of the ceramic bezel cracking. Rolex weren't fixing something that wasn't broken.

The Daytona 116500LN was not a bezel insert, it was a bezel so it was unlike for a Submariner for instance where the bezel was always steel with a ceramic bezel insert.

There are a lot of excuses one can create for the change, but in the end no change was required because nothing was broken on the 116500LN.

The steel outer ring is an unnecessary embellishment that's an embarrassment!!

This is just one view...

The 116500LN will go down as the greatest Rolex Daytona in modern history and is set to be the greatest all time Daytona.

[rolexjackson]

I was told by my ad that his Rolex rep said that the reason they added the ring is to protect the ceramic bezel from getting struck and having it crack. The AD then told me that they had never seen a ceramic bezel come back with any chip or crack in it. … so who knows


Life is short buy the watch-

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

The concern about the bezel ring getting dinged seems a bit overblown when you consider that around 90-95% of the watch’s exterior is metal anyway.

Why do you think that’s the first place to look? It has two unprotected sharp bevels when new, but they become rounded when polished and dented and dinged before that polishing.


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[PenDelicate]

Really like the new metal ring around the bezel: it enhances the design, makes it look, "More," than it was before.

Though both are beautiful Daytonas.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by Lol-x

There is no documented or known history of the ceramic bezel cracking. Rolex weren't fixing something that wasn't broken.

The Daytona 116500LN was not a bezel insert, it was a bezel so it was unlike for a Submariner for instance where the bezel was always steel with a ceramic bezel insert.

There are a lot of excuses one can create for the change, but in the end no change was required because nothing was broken on the 116500LN.

The steel outer ring is an unnecessary embellishment that's an embarrassment!!

This is just one view...

The 116500LN will go down as the greatest Rolex Daytona in modern history and is set to be the greatest all time Daytona.

Wholeheartedly agree on the bold statement above :-)

But I never got used to the boat shaped hour markers on the 116500LN and much prefer the current = Zenith Daytona style markers. The Daytona I really want is yet to come.

[Chesterling]

I heard the full ceramic bezels always broke when they had to work on em

[fly4food84]

I think the 126500 black dial is the best Daytona out there. I had the 116500 from AD and always wanted the white dial so I sold it to get it from grey. Then I sold that Panda 116500 to get the new black dial and appreciate it so much more.

I think 126500 Black is amazing and it’s the stainless ring around the bezel that really adds the flare it needed plus the less congested dial.


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[brandrea]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

The concern about the bezel ring getting dinged seems a bit overblown when you consider that around 90-95% of the watch’s exterior is metal anyway.

I tend to agree with this. It’s mostly aesthetic and a welcomed improvement IMHO.

I also don’t see the need for the crown guard for similar reasons … I mean if you’re going to ding your Daytona on a door jam, isn’t one of the pushers going to take the brunt of that before the crown gets involved?

[Obi Wan]

I do not know, but I do not like it in the case of SS models. However, it looks nice in the oysterflex PM models. Curious.