Underwhelmed by the Daytona

[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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[Mystro]

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

[Nads786]

I've only tried the TT Daytona and was unimpressed. I'm waiting to hold my final thoughts until I try a SS version in the metal.

[Guppydriver]

Although frustrating, this is why I have preferred "Exhibition only" over completely empty display cases.

It allowed me to eliminate a DJ dial color that I would have adamantly requested had I not had a chance to try it on.

Daytona's are certainly not for everyone. They have a few quirks that can either endear you or repel you.

Glad you had a chance to try them on.

[yessir69]

How dare you?

[padi56]

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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Like you was never a fan of any of the modern Daytona range yes it has a great movement that I would rate in the top 5 chronograph movements ever made.The SS Daytona was always hard to get at retail ever since it's launching in 2000 with the in-house cal 4130 a Rolex first ever chronograph movement.And back around 2000 for a few years you could buy the TT version for what the SS was selling for once Daytona hype started.Today the modern Daytona must be the most hyped Rolex watch ever,but hype sells watches today.

[njlam]

I too have never understood the following of the Daytona.

It is hard to read, and the idea of screw-in pushers on a chronograph seems impractical.

From a chrono perspective, the Speedmaster Moonwatch (preferably EW) or a Zenith El Primaro (mine are the triple calendar/moonphase versions) get the job done for me.

Prestige/status are not as high on my priority list as others. YMMV.

[illiguy]

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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The answer is simple: try on a Platona!

[Wingman244]

After buying a 116500 black dial Daytona about 6 weeks ago, I flipped it for this (and a lot of cash obviously). In a lot of ways it is much better. Readability is an order of magnitude better. It keeps better time. The case is finished between the lugs so you can actually switch straps to traditional straps. A nice bonus is the exhibition case back. It's nice to see the movement.

I found the Daytona too small, too hard to read and the screw down pushers were annoying. Also it did not fit my 7.5" (19cm) wrist and seemed to fall to one side or the other no matter how tight the bracelet. The 44mm Speedy fits on my wrist and stays planted.

[brandrea]

They’re not for everyone.

I rank chronographs behind Dive watches and GMTs. Everyone has their preferences I guess

[Brian Page]

I go back and forth on this topic I currently own (again..) Black 116500. All the negatives are true hard to read but now I wear readers anyway... However the movement is a masterpiece. It couldn't be my one and only watch though, for sure.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

I found the Daytona too small, too hard to read and the screw down pushers were annoying.

This pretty much sums up my feelings on the Daytona

[JoseR]

Way overrated IMO.

[ArtNouveau]

Okay, I’ll alert the media.

[123Blueface]

I use to be as well. Took me years to like it. In fact, back in 1994, I was offered one from the showcase at the AD and recall thinking to myself, that’s not what a Rolex looks like. Ended up with the very common DJ Rolesor with yellow dial.
Today, I love them. What caused that eludes me but one main reason is how nicely it fits on my 6.5” wrist. As I age and shrink some more, my two Daytona may end up being my only two watches.

[Harry-57]

Originally Posted by njlam

I too have never understood the following of the Daytona.

It is hard to read, and the idea of screw-in pushers on a chronograph seems impractical.

From a chrono perspective, the Speedmaster Moonwatch (preferably EW) or a Zenith El Primaro.

I couldn't have put it better.

[jamesbondOO7]

Like the 911, everyone has one.

[Seo]

I love the daytona because I am primarily a chronograph collector but I don’t have the biggest wrists. There is no column wheel vertical clutch chrono at this size but at the same time has a timeless design, robust, high WR etc etc.

In saying that are they overrated? yes, they shouldn’t be and it’s highly irritating that they’re so hard to buy. They should be considered at the same level as a plain Jane sub.

[TimeAZ]

You should check out the 116503 TT white. It's absolutely magnificent.

[173rdabn]

As the old saying goes. " You pays your money and you takes your choice". In this case, no choice was made as expectations weren't met.

[Masteryacht]

I think the hype and the difficulty to get can make it anticlimactic when you finally do get one.

[KatGirl]

Originally Posted by illiguy

The answer is simple: try on a Platona!

Even I like THAT one and the John Mayer.

Kat


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[Bazil]

I think Daytona price will plummet on the back of this ..
front page news, watch enthusiasts don’t like Daytona - shock waves through the industry, Rolex stock has nose dived ..
Now I’m questioning my love for the Daytona .. perhaps these folks are right, let me start a thread if it’s still safe to wear a Daytona now they’re officially unliked ..
*inserts his own sarcasm emoji*

[Gva1985]

Daytona is the peak of the Rolex professional watches imho. Perfect wearability, elegant (without red-blue-green etc details ) with a certain clout. I have three and look forward to adding more but as the Romans would say « de gustibus non est disputandum »

[Norbert]

The whole Rolex popularity started with the SS Daytona precisely because it was so unloved in the 70s-80s. I mean that's why the Paul Newman was so rare, even his wife was duped by a Rolex salesman to buy an unpopular model. So I get why people wouldn't find it appealing now. But back in the late 90's early 2000's, it was what set off the craze.

[928ktgold]

OP you should try the new 126500. It wears slightly bigger

[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.

[0nly5iv3Digits]

Hyped to high-heaven. Still don’t understand why.

[Dr. Robert]

I’m a Daytona fan


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[Vince_76]

Cool watch at retail but don’t get the hype