116500 White vs Black

[Daytona king]

White


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[mario1971]

The white dial of the 116500 is more coherent than the latest model, which is too "surgical" for me - clean and overly organized. On the other hand, the black dial of the 126500 is phenomenal. Those subdials with steel borders add incredible charm. I am happy to have my Panda and I hope that one day I will be able to pick up the latest black Daytona.

[rmlovett1]

Given your collection, and possibly a black dial GMT in your future, the white makes sense if you want some color diversity. I like both and would have a hard time deciding as well. No wrong answer. Obviously you’re getting a lot of opinions based on personal preference, and YOUR personal preference/happiness, be it black or white, is all that matters.

[travisb]

I've always leaned towards the black dial.

[brandrea]

Black is what I prefer

[1William]

I have owned both at the same time, black and white in the 11 series, and always liked the white dial more when just looking at the watches. When it came to wear though, I wore the black dial more and liked it better on the wrist.

[kritameth]

Was facing that exact same dilemma. I would strongly urge comparing them side-by-side in person, even if at a grey dealer. I did that and the choice was clear, the Panda felt way more special to me. That said, if you were asking about the 126500 it might be closer to 50/50 for me...

[SS Oyster]

I’ve posted this in other threads on TRF, but hoping it benefits you in your decision. My mind hasn’t changed since first posting a little over a year ago. Note - I own both watches.

All below are just my opinions.

Shared attributes:
- very comfortable to wear
- fit a wide range of wrist sizes
- work for men and women
- the venerable 4130 movement is a mechanical marvel, so perfect since inception that it has gone essentially unchanged since 2000. This movement broke ground with many firsts for Rolex.
- world’s best bracelet and clasp
- thin case
- robust and waterproof
- wears small but with commanding presence
- extremely well protected by cerachrome bezel, crowns and crown guards

Black dial (m116500ln-0002):

- first thing that jumps out at you is the way the concentric silver subdial rings spread the light spectrum, sometimes looking light blue, pink, green, gold, brown, purple … only those who have worn one will understand this phenomenon.
- beautiful gloss black dial
- sometimes appears larger in size than the white because the dial seems extended by the matching glossy black bezel
- more dressy and formal
- silver subdials accentuate and compliment the 904L steel case, making the dial more cohesive with the overall watch.
- suitable as an everyday every occasion watch, absolutely perfect with a tuxedo or suit, yet seems perfectly fine with jeans and a tee shirt, transforming itself into casual
- red Daytona text stands out less, but glimpses are more satisfying when you catch them
- definitely will get noticed LESS than the white dial, which can be a very good thing at certain times, occasions and locations
- in low light, the Rolex WG Crown stands out equally on both black and white dials, but in bright light, the WG stands out a LOT more on the black dial, making the watch appear more balanced and symmetrical.
- appliqué hour markers stand out more in all lighting conditions on the black dial
- chronograph (large) seconds hand easier to see and track on black dial
- if you can only own one watch and it’s a Daytona, get the black for its complete versatility

White dial m116500ln-0001 attributes:

- the black dial version is just a black dial Daytona, but the white dial gets a nickname and notoriety of being the “Panda” Daytona
- higher contrast with stark shifts from silver to black to white to black to white again. Incredibly striking!
- Panda-esk dial harkens memories of early four-digit Daytonas, which many find makes this reference more collectible
- black subdial rings bring best attribute of the white dial Zenith models into the modern day
- black subdial rings improve readability over the silver subdial rings of the white dial 116520
- black cerachrome bezel frames perfectly the white dial, making it stand out among nearly every other watch in public settings
- recognition: everyone will know what you are wearing (not always a good thing)
- white dial is mesmerizing as it sits somewhere in between being matte and gloss … as you more your wrist around the white dial takes on both properties.
- red Daytona text above the 6 o’clock subdial stands out more against the white
- the black minute and second markers at the outer edge of the dial stand out more, making it seem more like a tool watch
- chronograph (large) seconds hand harder to see and track on white dial … I wish Rolex had blackened (or painted red) the seconds hand on the white dial variant
- subdials hands easier to read against the black rings with white centers
- the five lines of text above the hand stack stands out more on the white dial. I wish it just said Rolex … next line Cosmograph … next line Daytona in red, but Rolex knows what they are doing
- The white dial is the one to have if your other Rolex watches are primarily black dial, giving you more color variety. It’s also the one to have to be recognized as having THE MOST HARD TO GET ROLEX on the planet (at least of the high production models).

The white (we all know) is generally more in demand, so it commands a greater (~$3k-5k) price on the secondary market, but to me that only furthers the value advantage to the black dial. You can’t go wrong with either.

Which one will have better long term value? I’d be guessing to say white, but honestly do not care.

For those who are lucky enough to own one or both, take the time to really drink in the beauty, quality and engineering prowess represented therein.



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[10splaya]

Originally Posted by ss oyster

i’ve posted this in other threads on trf, but hoping it benefits you in your decision. My mind hasn’t changed since first posting a little over a year ago. Note - i own both watches.

all below are just my opinions.

Shared attributes:
- very comfortable to wear
- fit a wide range of wrist sizes
- work for men and women
- the venerable 4130 movement is a mechanical marvel, so perfect since inception that it has gone essentially unchanged since 2000. This movement broke ground with many firsts for rolex.
- world’s best bracelet and clasp
- thin case
- robust and waterproof
- wears small but with commanding presence
- extremely well protected by cerachrome bezel, crowns and crown guards

black dial (m116500ln-0002):

- first thing that jumps out at you is the way the concentric silver subdial rings spread the light spectrum, sometimes looking light blue, pink, green, gold, brown, purple … only those who have worn one will understand this phenomenon.
- beautiful gloss black dial
- sometimes appears larger in size than the white because the dial seems extended by the matching glossy black bezel
- more dressy and formal
- silver subdials accentuate and compliment the 904l steel case, making the dial more cohesive with the overall watch.
- suitable as an everyday every occasion watch, absolutely perfect with a tuxedo or suit, yet seems perfectly fine with jeans and a tee shirt, transforming itself into casual
- red daytona text stands out less, but glimpses are more satisfying when you catch them
- definitely will get noticed less than the white dial, which can be a very good thing at certain times, occasions and locations
- in low light, the rolex wg crown stands out equally on both black and white dials, but in bright light, the wg stands out a lot more on the black dial, making the watch appear more balanced and symmetrical.
- appliqué hour markers stand out more in all lighting conditions on the black dial
- chronograph (large) seconds hand easier to see and track on black dial
- if you can only own one watch and it’s a daytona, get the black for its complete versatility

white dial m116500ln-0001 attributes:

- the black dial version is just a black dial daytona, but the white dial gets a nickname and notoriety of being the “panda” daytona
- higher contrast with stark shifts from silver to black to white to black to white again. Incredibly striking!
- panda-esk dial harkens memories of early four-digit daytonas, which many find makes this reference more collectible
- black subdial rings bring best attribute of the white dial zenith models into the modern day
- black subdial rings improve readability over the silver subdial rings of the white dial 116520
- black cerachrome bezel frames perfectly the white dial, making it stand out among nearly every other watch in public settings
- recognition: Everyone will know what you are wearing (not always a good thing)
- white dial is mesmerizing as it sits somewhere in between being matte and gloss … as you more your wrist around the white dial takes on both properties.
- red daytona text above the 6 o’clock subdial stands out more against the white
- the black minute and second markers at the outer edge of the dial stand out more, making it seem more like a tool watch
- chronograph (large) seconds hand harder to see and track on white dial … i wish rolex had blackened (or painted red) the seconds hand on the white dial variant
- subdials hands easier to read against the black rings with white centers
- the five lines of text above the hand stack stands out more on the white dial. I wish it just said rolex … next line cosmograph … next line daytona in red, but rolex knows what they are doing
- the white dial is the one to have if your other rolex watches are primarily black dial, giving you more color variety. It’s also the one to have to be recognized as having the most hard to get rolex on the planet (at least of the high production models).

The white (we all know) is generally more in demand, so it commands a greater (~$3k-5k) price on the secondary market, but to me that only furthers the value advantage to the black dial. You can’t go wrong with either.

Which one will have better long term value? I’d be guessing to say white, but honestly do not care.

For those who are lucky enough to own one or both, take the time to really drink in the beauty, quality and engineering prowess represented therein.



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great post!!!

Well done

[Wolfie]

I love the white 116 and the black 126.

[mpkRolex]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

I’ve posted this in other threads on TRF, but hoping it benefits you in your decision. My mind hasn’t changed since first posting a little over a year ago. Note - I own both watches.

All below are just my opinions.

Shared attributes:
- very comfortable to wear
- fit a wide range of wrist sizes
- work for men and women
- the venerable 4130 movement is a mechanical marvel, so perfect since inception that it has gone essentially unchanged since 2000. This movement broke ground with many firsts for Rolex.
- world’s best bracelet and clasp
- thin case
- robust and waterproof
- wears small but with commanding presence
- extremely well protected by cerachrome bezel, crowns and crown guards

Black dial (m116500ln-0002):

- first thing that jumps out at you is the way the concentric silver subdial rings spread the light spectrum, sometimes looking light blue, pink, green, gold, brown, purple … only those who have worn one will understand this phenomenon.
- beautiful gloss black dial
- sometimes appears larger in size than the white because the dial seems extended by the matching glossy black bezel
- more dressy and formal
- silver subdials accentuate and compliment the 904L steel case, making the dial more cohesive with the overall watch.
- suitable as an everyday every occasion watch, absolutely perfect with a tuxedo or suit, yet seems perfectly fine with jeans and a tee shirt, transforming itself into casual
- red Daytona text stands out less, but glimpses are more satisfying when you catch them
- definitely will get noticed LESS than the white dial, which can be a very good thing at certain times, occasions and locations
- in low light, the Rolex WG Crown stands out equally on both black and white dials, but in bright light, the WG stands out a LOT more on the black dial, making the watch appear more balanced and symmetrical.
- appliqué hour markers stand out more in all lighting conditions on the black dial
- chronograph (large) seconds hand easier to see and track on black dial
- if you can only own one watch and it’s a Daytona, get the black for its complete versatility

White dial m116500ln-0001 attributes:

- the black dial version is just a black dial Daytona, but the white dial gets a nickname and notoriety of being the “Panda” Daytona
- higher contrast with stark shifts from silver to black to white to black to white again. Incredibly striking!
- Panda-esk dial harkens memories of early four-digit Daytonas, which many find makes this reference more collectible
- black subdial rings bring best attribute of the white dial Zenith models into the modern day
- black subdial rings improve readability over the silver subdial rings of the white dial 116520
- black cerachrome bezel frames perfectly the white dial, making it stand out among nearly every other watch in public settings
- recognition: everyone will know what you are wearing (not always a good thing)
- white dial is mesmerizing as it sits somewhere in between being matte and gloss … as you more your wrist around the white dial takes on both properties.
- red Daytona text above the 6 o’clock subdial stands out more against the white
- the black minute and second markers at the outer edge of the dial stand out more, making it seem more like a tool watch
- chronograph (large) seconds hand harder to see and track on white dial … I wish Rolex had blackened (or painted red) the seconds hand on the white dial variant
- subdials hands easier to read against the black rings with white centers
- the five lines of text above the hand stack stands out more on the white dial. I wish it just said Rolex … next line Cosmograph … next line Daytona in red, but Rolex knows what they are doing
- The white dial is the one to have if your other Rolex watches are primarily black dial, giving you more color variety. It’s also the one to have to be recognized as having THE MOST HARD TO GET ROLEX on the planet (at least of the high production models).

The white (we all know) is generally more in demand, so it commands a greater (~$3k-5k) price on the secondary market, but to me that only furthers the value advantage to the black dial. You can’t go wrong with either.

Which one will have better long term value? I’d be guessing to say white, but honestly do not care.

For those who are lucky enough to own one or both, take the time to really drink in the beauty, quality and engineering prowess represented therein.



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You said it all. This thread can be closed now


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[BlackandBlue80]

I vote for the black dial. I was on the waiting list at my AD only to find out today that my AD will not be selling Rolex any longer. I had purchased a good amount of watches and other jewelry from them. I am heartbroken that I have to get on a list at another store and start the waiting game all over again.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by Oytun

Same here, don't remember when was the last time it had a wrist time.

When you got white, you want black. When you got black, you want white. When you got both of them, black sits in the safe.

For you maybe ... I have both and the black sits on my wrist MOST of the time.

[SS Oyster]

Originally Posted by BlackandBlue80

I vote for the black dial. I was on the waiting list at my AD only to find out today that my AD will not be selling Rolex any longer. I had purchased a good amount of watches and other jewelry from them. I am heartbroken that I have to get on a list at another store and start the waiting game all over again.

Sorry brother. I would explain what happened to you and see if some good will comes your way. Good luck with your journey.