500C, A crazy idea

[Easy E]

I have a White Daytona 500C that is my most conflicted watch ever. In one moment I find it to be my most favorite watch, maybe ever, and a second later, when the light changes, it is my most hated, maybe ever. As evidenced by the picture the hands become really hard to see, depending on light intensity and/or light angle.

In talking with my AD, who has a Rolex tech on staff, they can black out the lume. They claim it will only cost me about $200 to undo it by replacing the hands outright if I don't like it. However, that got me to thinking what if I get the hands coated with a DLC/PVD type of arrangement. Would that be insane?

What say you guys?

[glamorama]

Done right (very very good) that’d be a big improvement

[mk2jag]

don't do that! yes, insane if you ask me. Its part of the package deal so don't mess with it You will get used to it. My Heuer LE has the same problem because its got platinum hands and a grey sunburst dial. In some lighting, the hands disappear but I have become accustomed to that now..

[brucethemanlee]

I wouldn’t touch it but that’s me
I love mine the way it is.
However your watch your money


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[padi56]

I would make a appointment to get your eyes tested.

[mk2jag]

Originally Posted by padi56

I would make a appointment to get your eyes tested.

yes, thats better!

[beshannon]

I would never alter any watch like that.

You are free to do as you choose, perhaps consider taking advantage of the current price and just sell that beautiful watch as is.

[Chester01]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I have a White Daytona 500C that is my most conflicted watch ever. In one moment I find it to be my most favorite watch, maybe ever, and a second later, when the light changes, it is my most hated, maybe ever. As evidenced by the picture the hands become really hard to see, depending on light intensity and/or light angle.

In talking with my AD, who has a Rolex tech on staff, they can black out the lume. They claim it will only cost me about $200 to undo it by replacing the hands outright if I don't like it. However, that got me to thinking what if I get the hands coated with a DLC/PVD type of arrangement. Would that be insane?

What say you guys?

It’s not the light, it is hard to see. While from distance the watch is spectacular when looking at the parts, the illegibility is clear. I have the same relationship with mine and when I wear my Daytona it’s jewelry as it has little functional utility for me. When I wear my speedy and sub, they are watches.

Taken as a whole it’s great, taken at its parts the Daytona is flawed. All watches are part-whole entities and must look good (and function) at both. The speedy pro does this exceptionally well. Not to mention not having enough hash marks making reading the minutes very challenging. However, you have very little to lose by trying this and should go for it.

[Chiboy]

If it's easily reversed, do it if it will make you happy. If it isn't, you have to decide if it's worth the value hit as few will want to buy it at inflated current values if it has been desecrated, I mean altered.

[subprimero]

This is a common complaint with the Daytona but I wouldn't alter the watch.

[vandyologist]

I recently sold my Daytona primarily because of the legibility issues (and also I much prefer a date).

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I have a White Daytona 500C that is my most conflicted watch ever. In one moment I find it to be my most favorite watch, maybe ever, and a second later, when the light changes, it is my most hated, maybe ever. As evidenced by the picture the hands become really hard to see, depending on light intensity and/or light angle.

In talking with my AD, who has a Rolex tech on staff, they can black out the lume. They claim it will only cost me about $200 to undo it by replacing the hands outright if I don't like it. However, that got me to thinking what if I get the hands coated with a DLC/PVD type of arrangement. Would that be insane?

What say you guys?

Daytonas are among the least legible Rolex watches made. You don't need your eyes tested. White dial Daytonas should come with black painted hands from the factory, like the EXP2 Polar

Done right, it could look like this, which is a marked improvement IMO

Go for it

[traf]

Do it so we can all see


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[SamP]

You might just start a sunami effect. Plenty folk complain about the legibility, but that’s part and parcel of the enegma that is Daytona.
Just gaze, no harm in that. Mine’s black dial. Beautiful but jus5 as difficult to read.
Regards

[AckAck]

Unequivocaly do not do it. Do not touch it, do not polish it. Just leave it original, please.

[schoolboy]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Daytonas are among the least legible Rolex watches made. You don't need your eyes tested. White dial Daytonas should come with black painted hands from the factory, like the EXP2 Polar

Done right, it could look like this, which is a marked improvement IMO

Go for it

This

Maybe we’ll see this at Basel?

Maybe this year, maybe another

Those hands are a huge improvement

[904VT]

No I wouldn't do that.

Try to focus on the black paint inlay on the hands of the SS white dial Daytonas instead of the WG hands themselves. I find the white dial Daytonas to honestly be more legible than the black dials overall for what it's worth. So certainly avoid those in the future.

[904VT]

Originally Posted by Easy E

I have a White Daytona 500C that is my most conflicted watch ever. In one moment I find it to be my most favorite watch, maybe ever, and a second later, when the light changes, it is my most hated, maybe ever. As evidenced by the picture the hands become really hard to see, depending on light intensity and/or light angle.

In talking with my AD, who has a Rolex tech on staff, they can black out the lume. They claim it will only cost me about $200 to undo it by replacing the hands outright if I don't like it. However, that got me to thinking what if I get the hands coated with a DLC/PVD type of arrangement. Would that be insane?

What say you guys?

I want to clarify. You say black out the lume, but the majority of comments are interpreting that as blacking out the hands. If the lume is blacked out you will have full black paint fill only, while the hands would stay white gold and untouched? If that is the case keep in mind you will have lumed hour markers, but no visible hands in the dark.

[CoveWatch]

If it'll help you love the watch more and also reversible, why not?

[RobearH]

That kind of mod is not switchbackable. It’s your watch so I say “NIKE” and get a red sweep hand while your at it.

[Sublovin]

Originally Posted by CoveWatch

If it'll help you love the watch more and also reversible, why not?

Agreed

[crewsin]

It’s your watch do as you please. If you plan on never selling it I say F-It, go for it...but it will not be good for resale value.


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[enginerd]

It worked for Tudor chronos. And I have a date...just sayin.

[richard371]

No way would I even consider that. I have no problems seeing the time on my Daytona white C. Sure it’s not the most legible watch ever made but it’s a thing of beauty and I don’t really wear a watch these days to tell the time since it’s almost all around me. If I want the most functional legible watch I’ll wear the Apple Watch.

[georgekart]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Daytonas are among the least legible Rolex watches made. You don't need your eyes tested. White dial Daytonas should come with black painted hands from the factory, like the EXP2 Polar

Done right, it could look like this, which is a marked improvement IMO

Go for it

This looks so good. I wonder why it doesn't come like that from factory.

[blown5.0]

No rule that says you can't customize your watch. It's yours. I think it would look great if done correctly.

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Daytonas are among the least legible Rolex watches made. You don't need your eyes tested. White dial Daytonas should come with black painted hands from the factory, like the EXP2 Polar

Done right, it could look like this, which is a marked improvement IMO

Go for it

Yes sir! That's the idea.

E-

[nektar]

No way.


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[Easy E]

Originally Posted by 904VT

I want to clarify. You say black out the lume, but the majority of comments are interpreting that as blacking out the hands. If the lume is blacked out you will have full black paint fill only, while the hands would stay white gold and untouched? If that is the case keep in mind you will have lumed hour markers, but no visible hands in the dark.

I was not clear, my bad. The AD suggested black out the lume. I am suggesting to keep the lume as is and only black the hands.

E-

[Easy E]

Originally Posted by RobearH

That kind of mod is not switchbackable. It’s your watch so I say “NIKE” and get a red sweep hand while your at it.

Sure it is. Just replace the hands. Or so I imagine.

E-