Rolex Daytona - Still the holy grail??

[ninotcs]

Hi,
Long time TRF fan, first time thread post. Its a great community.

I own three Rolexes and are all the same models (don't ask why).
1. Rolex Submariner 16610 M Serial (in the safe, MINT)
2. Rolex Submariner 116610LN (my daily wearer)
3. Rolex Submariner no date 114060 (wife wears it)

I am considering purchasing Rolex Daytona and trading wife's no date for it (and giving her M serial...she won't know the difference). I think M serial is in high demand and unique due to the fact it has only 2 years of production and is the last one before the Sub C release. It also has many differences vs other 16610s produced during 2000s. So, long story short, I think its a collectible. Maybe i'm wrong.

114060 is too big for her wrist with those massive lugs anyways.

So, i'd like to get Daytona 116520, my long time dream. But, latelly, its sort of fading, as I think its losing its lure. I still love it, don't get me wrong, just not sure if it justifies the price. What do you guys think?

I'm on the wating list at local AD with a promise that I'll get 15% off MSRP once he receives it (hopefully during the current price structure) due to our relationship thus I am not actively pursuing any watches from TRF trusted sellers as prices are in the same neighborhood. I am considering a trade with some of the TRF members however.

The question is when he will receive the watch. Also question for you guys, what do you think the Daytona market is like now and is it still the holy grail of Rolex watches or is it fading?

(by the way if anyone is intersted in the 114060, let me know, I am selling it no matter what happens with my Daytona interest. Transaction would be through local AD in Pittsburgh, Henne Jewelers if you dont have large reference list...I certainly don't yet).

Thanks TRF,

Nino

[balboa73]

fading.......

[impalass]

Yes, but much more available these days inspite of the hype, and no one pays over list price imho.

[padi56]

IMHO the Daytona was never a holy grail watch yes at one time it was hard to get at retail but those days are gone.And just cannot think why you would think a M serial sub is in high demand.Apart from a few fonts is basically the same as the other million upon million of of 16610 subs. And IMHO all Rolex watches should be bought because you want that model and not some sort of fashion so called grail.And the only difference in any 16610 since its launch is 1988 is the change from Tritium to Luminover around 1998.Then we had the SEL bracelet and LEC crystal around 2000/1.Then 2002/3 the non lug hole cases from around 2004/5 the Rolex Rolex on the Rehaut ring plus the different case stamps.And seeing that the 16610 was the biggest seller in the sports line up so basically all 16610 are very alike must be several million in this world today.

[wantonebad]

The "trend" part of the Daytona being hot, and worn by the elite making it hard to get is pretty much over. That said it's a great watch, not the best chronograph, but pretty darn good. While it's not cheap it isn't exorbitant either. I'm a total cheapskate and I've owned three daytonas.

I wouldn't buy one just because a Hollywood star wears one, I would only buy it because I loved it and wanted to wear it for myself. Trends come and go, buy a watch you enjoy and want to wear for it's own merits. JMHO

[10XRolex]

It was a holy grail because it was unattainable; or should I say harder to obtain than the norm.

I walked into an AD that I have never walked into the other day and was informed that they had a ss Daytona in the safe. So with that said, I wouldn't say it's a "holy grail" anymore. But then again, at over $13k I would say that it still is unattainable for most. So holy grail it is.

Tim

[Kidcool]

I think there are a few reasons, in my opinion.

One, they are not so rare like they were in the 90's with the Zenith Movement,
Two, they are small by modern watch standards,
Three, they may come out with a new one at Basel 2013.

As a DeepSea wearer, I wish they would make a bigger "Daytona II" and keep the current Daytona.

[Chris B]

TT pre-owned represents great value for the money

[JJL]

Not to me at least. Not the modern day SS model. I've always found them to be great looking watches, but when I finally had the chance to try one on, it just wasn't the watch for "me".

Now a Newman or one of those older panda dials... those things are awesome.

[brettpaul]

Having owned and recently flipped my SS Daytona after only 2 years, I can say that it faded for me. The primary reason for this was the PCL's (polished center links) never really floated my boat and it was not the easiest watch dial to read (I had the black).

I flipped my to buy a DSSD and put a couple of grand in my pocket on top. I'm waiting to see IF there is a 'new' Daytona at Basel this year....I'll consider it only IF they get rid of the PCL's. If not, I'm heading over to AP to get a Royal Oak Chrono (not offshore) with a Panda dial - very near the same price from one of our trusted sellers here on TRF. The good news with the Daytona (as with most Rolex models) is that if you hold on to it long enough you can always get your money back out on the sale - I wore mine for 2 years and actually sold it for about $200 more than I paid for it.

As for the 16610 - the actual last series for the model was not 'M', but random serial (not that it matters as the watch was in production, more or less in the same form, for decades). If you like the Daytona and have the means, then it's worth a try as you can always go back!

Best of luck deciding!

PS - the day I bought my Daytona from the AD was one of the most fun of my (watch) life!!

[unclesallie]

The concept of a watch as a 'grail' is well, silly.
The Daytona with Zenith movement is a great watch, because they are out of production, and IMHO the dials are nicer.
While it is (apparently) true that the new all-Rolex movements have less moving parts, and are less expensive to service, all in all, I prefer the Zenith-Daytona.

[HL65]

The only grail Daytona in my book is any of the exotic dial PN's from late 60's-70's ie 6262-6239. Other than that can't call any modern Daytona a grail. Certainly nice chrono but far from grail status if you believe such a thing or term exists when it comes to watches.
Cheers,

[watchnut73]

Not anymore.. You can get one within 18 months and if you know the AD, 6 months

[The GMT Master]

As above, the demand for the SS Daytona has peaked, and left it looking quite overpriced for what it is. A TT Daytona is a smarter buy, in my opinion

[Spartan]

i like the Daytona!
YG solid one

[mpaone]

I had a Daytona from about 84' to 89' then sold it after I left a crown open while snorkeling. Other than that I've had Subs all my life and although I've tried others I keep coming back to the Sub/ SD style.

IMO the Daytona is a nice watch but my dial preference is only available (stock) in the WG models which are WAY above my income bracket. That being said I should've kept the Daytona I had purely as an investment... paid less than $1k in Switzerland and the last one I saw like it (black dial, black enamel bezel) went for about $34k in avg condition.

-Mike.

[ninotcs]

Thanks guys for your replies and info.
In pittsburgh area, there are 4 ADs and none of them have SS white dial daytonas, only gold ones.
They also make me feel that that I'd be happy if I get a ticket for the line to purchase one.
But reading the forum over the last few months, i feel that the hype is fading . Again, still a great watch and beautiful at the same time. Just not sure if
New Explorer II polar dial is somethin i'm considering a well. Im drifting towards that option (and saving 5k at the same time).

[Adam.]

I like the Daytona but don't view it as a grail watch. I'd like it in gold best.

I view the yellow gold day-date presidential as the most prestigious Rolex watch.

[simongpaez]

It is for me :)

[porschejeff]

I happen to like the Daytona a lot and will probably get one eventually, but the holy grail is DDII YG or RG for me.

[lig]

I don't really mind that the hype is fading. I still love my Daytonas. Granted they don't get as much wear these days since the rotation has grown but every time I strap one on - I love it.

And I'm glad they don't have a date function as it makes it easy to just grab one out of the safe, set the time, give 'em a shake and go. :)

For a car guy - it is *the* chrono period.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by lig

I don't really mind that the hype is fading. I still love my Daytonas. Granted they don't get as much wear these days since the rotation has grown but every time I strap one on - I love it.

And I'm glad they don't have a date function as it makes it easy to just grab one out of the safe, set the time, give 'em a shake and go. :)

For a car guy - it is *the* chrono period.

No need to shake far better to manually wind it that's what the winding crown is for

[///armin]

A Daytona will always be a Daytona, it was popular back in the day, it is today and will continue to be.

[storm66]

Grail or not....I love mine

[lig]

Originally Posted by padi56

No need to shake far better to manually wind it that's what the winding crown is for

Never knew that. Thanks for the tip!

[mmmk604]

I wanted a SS Daytona as my first sports watch, but after I tried it on, that went away.
I ended up purchasing a 116610LN. My grail is still a YG DD...when I'm old enough to rock YG!

[Passionata]

Forget the daytona ,it s just a faded crap ,and those who owns one are just losers including myself




Best
George

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk 2

[accce]

Its a great watch. I have always heard that you could not get one. You had to wait SS was imposable to find. Well I started looking 3 weeks ago and I have 2 local AD's emailing and calling me everyday. 1 AD had 1 and sold it and said they could get one in a few days and did. Another AD said they were getting one in a few days and also did. I ended up ordering from an out of town AD who had 2 with a little discount and no sales Tax. It sounds like your AD who wants to give you 15% off s not really trying to sell you a watch.

[WML]

"Back in the day"..the Italian market went crazy for the SS Daytona and as I recall, started the shortage and great demand for this model.
Rolex always knew how to produce and where to ship their watches to keep demand where they thought it should be.

While it is a beautiful watch in my opinion, it seems the "holy grail" status has faded somewhat.

Always thought I would get a Daytona for my first Rolex..but I went with the new Sub
instead..love the look of that watch!

[nick c]

Love Daytona