Underwhelmed by the Daytona

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by t65tampa

I love Daytona watches! Just don't like them on the Oysterflex. I like the metal bracelets.

It's good they have options for you to try on (exhibition models or used aftermarket). Saves you a lot of frustration if you buy a watch because of the hype and don't really understand what it's about or how it wears.

Only thing I'd say is you were trying out used watches, some of them from the early 2000s. You should check the newest model before you pass judgement. Then again, you should only buy what you love or really want.

Not a fan of OF, either. Maybe on a diver, it would make sense.

Kat


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[Joearch]

If you don’t like a certain product…… don’t buy it. The Daytona happens to check many boxes for me. I am not diminished because others don’t like what I like.

[TJDJ41]

The new 126500 white dail is a stunner.

[ajw45]

The Daytona mvmt is simply too small. They need a new movement to space out the subdials and go to a bigger dial and thinner bezel. It's like the PP 5070, Rolex has played all the tricks to make the watch seem bigger while hiding the limitations of the mvmt like thinning the ceramic bezel and adding an outter ring. It looks good, but its disguising a DD36 size dial surrounded by a 40mm fat suit of case and pushers. Current mvmt should get sized down into a more fitting 37/8 mm case and a new mvmt created to take the Daytona to 42mm with thinner bezel.

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Originally Posted by Mystro

You saved yourself a lot of money. What model YM do you own?

I did indeed. Though the 116523 TT Daytona really left an impression on me.

Didn’t think I’d like it that much, especially after being disappointed by the SS variants.




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[thegrandseirolexguy]

Originally Posted by illiguy

The answer is simple: try on a Platona!

Can’t afford one.


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[nikolan]

I don't get the hype on these watches

[rolekyounouta]

I love Rolex

I love Daytona

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by thegrandseirolexguy

I did indeed. Though the 116523 TT Daytona really left an impression on me.

Didn’t think I’d like it that much, especially after being disappointed by the SS variants.




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That is an idea situation as you are happy and content with what you own. No reason to even look at another watch.

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Originally Posted by rolekyounouta

I love Rolex

I love Daytona

That is a very impressive collection.


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[karleone]

Originally Posted by thegrandseirolexguy

I’ve never been a Rolex Daytona fan. Wanting to find out for myself what the hype was all about, I popped into my local grey dealer today and tried on the following modern Daytona references.

Specifically, the:
116520 black dial
116500LN black dial
116503 TT gold dial
116520 white dial
116523 TT white dial

I felt thoroughly underwhelmed. The SS references in particular had a distinct lack of heft that made it feel unsubstantial on the wrist, and the black dials were hard to read.

The older generation clasps without the spring loaded beak & hook system also felt cheap and tinny. Although the easy link extension had already been integrated by then.

The one exception that really caught my eye was the 116523 TT white dial. Even I was surprised by how much I liked it. Bonus points because I could tell the time at a glance, and the watch had a luxurious, weighty feel to it, courtesy of the solid gold material.

Aesthetically, it looked great too and asking prices for the TT 116523 white dial weren’t ridiculous, unlike the modern SS references.

Guess I’ll be sticking with my yacht-master for now.


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All the references you tried have the asymmetrical slimmer old style case (on 1165 steel/ YG and TT). You should try the 1265 references that all have the larger symetrical case that are slightly bigger and wears bigger as well.

[karleone]

Originally Posted by TJDJ41

The new 126500 white dail is a stunner.

Completely agree!

[travisb]

It's not for everyone. I prefer Subs and GMTs over the Daytona but it's a great watch regardless.

[RiRi]

Originally Posted by 123Blueface

Today, I love them. What caused that eludes me but one main reason is how nicely it fits on my 6.5” wrist.

Could not agree more - for a 6.5" wrist, the Daytona has the perfect dimensions and among all my Rolex watches this one fits best

[dandy]

I am fortunate for owning and flipping most of the hot cake steel watches from all brands in my almost 20 years of collecting watches but never had any interest in the daytona, the design doesnt speak to me nor the function. Looks like a Swatch piece, but on a lady it would be more interesting imo

[SS Oyster]

Love my Daytonas ... seems like it should be easy to buy them with so many who don't like them.

[watchwatcher]

You couldn't make a more user-unfriendly chronograph if you tried.

However...there's just something about a Daytona. Looks and feels great on the wrist, not to mention one of the best chrono movements out there...so, yeah, there'll always be room for at least one in my collection.

[APPRF]

I was also unimpressed with the most hyped model Daytona the Panda, but I can't let it go because I want at least one Daytona in my collection because I feel it's an essential part of any respectable collection like the Speedy, Pepsi, and black Submariner/Sea Dweller.

[thegrandseirolexguy]

Credit where it is due, the actuation of the chronograph on the Daytona is par excellence.

It did not have a rackety, jarring feel between priming the chronograph pusher and actually pushing down on it.

I’ve yet to experience a mechanical chronograph that operates so sublimely.

If I ever pull the trigger on a Daytona, it’s gotta be the white dial TT 116523 or 116503.


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[EEpro]

Originally Posted by karleone

Completely agree!

Nice pic!

Except for those pesky factual dial issues

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by thegrandseirolexguy

Credit where it is due, the actuation of the chronograph on the Daytona is par excellence.

It did not have a rackety, jarring feel between priming the chronograph pusher and actually pushing down on it.

I’ve yet to experience a mechanical chronograph that operates so sublimely.

If I ever pull the trigger on a Daytona, it’s gotta be the white dial TT 116523 or 116503.


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I you happen to try the 50th Anniversary Speedmaster 1957 you will change your mind. It has an F.Piguet movement adjusted by Omega, no screw down pushers yet waterproof to 100m. No need to screw and unscrew like the Daytona. I have both the Speedmaster 50th and the Daytona, and the speedmaster wins in smooth operation of chronograph.

[EEpro]

You don't have to screw down the Daytona pushers.

[johnsonsxusfrt]

IMO the steel daytona wears small and is underwhelming and boring. The platinum with crystal blue dial has a lot of presence and character as do several of the PM variants on oyster flex. But personally there are so many more interesting watches at these price points.

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by EEpro

You don't have to screw down the Daytona pushers.

The waterproofness to 100m is only guaranteed if you screw down the pushers.

[WatchMySix]

It's funny because I always viewed my sub as the perfect watch for me and the Daytona as purely hype. Once I purchased a Daytona, and wore it daily I fell in love with it. The case shape (116500LN), the size, the way it disappears on my wrist, the way it looks in different lights, plays with the light, I understood the hype and it turned out to be very real for me. Currently I just want to collect and wear more variations of the Daytona, rather than another watch, but we'll see if that holds up.


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[Bazil]

Originally Posted by karleone

Completely agree!

I never get tired of seeing this watch or any other Daytona …

[karleone]

Originally Posted by APPRF

I was also unimpressed with the most hyped model Daytona the Panda, but I can't let it go because I want at least one Daytona in my collection because I feel it's an essential part of any respectable collection like the Speedy, Pepsi, and black Submariner/Sea Dweller.

Don’t force yourself to buy one if you don’t like it!

[karleone]

Originally Posted by EEpro

Nice pic!

Except for those pesky factual dial issues

[karleone]

Originally Posted by EEpro

You don't have to screw down the Daytona pushers.

Exactly this. The Daytona is waterproof even if the pushers are unscrewed

[karleone]

Originally Posted by johnsonsxusfrt

IMO the steel daytona wears small and is underwhelming and boring. The platinum with crystal blue dial has a lot of presence and character as do several of the PM variants on oyster flex. But personally there are so many more interesting watches at these price points.

Try the new 126500! It wears larger compared to the previous ref with the larger case