Incoming after a long long wait, and current collection

[HippoDancer]

A few weeks ago, my SA texted me, saying "a long time ago, you asked for a yellow gold Daytona on Oysterflex. Still interested?" I was quite surprised to see his message because it was FOUR YEARS ago when I inquired to be put on the wait list for a Paul Newman dial 116518LN. Indeed it was a long time ago! I really like the red and black hands on the old reference, and naturally was a little disappointed to see those features discontinued when the updated 126518LN was announced.

After some back and forth with myself I decided to pull the trigger. One thing I told myself was that it became impossible to purchase the old 116518LN from an AD since it was already discontinued. Even though my preference is still the combo of old dial and hands, very unlikely I am willing to pay a premium to acquire that reference from a grey dealer. Besides, the new 126518LN is also an incredible and amazing piece once I was able to examine it in person and put it on my wrist. And here is the one on wrist shot:

[HippoDancer]

I had to let go two pieces (WG daytona and Panerai) from my "old" collection (see below) to make room (financially) for the new YG Daytona; I only have a limited budget for my watch hobby.

Panerai's design was so clean and classic, and was such a beautiful piece on the wrist, but it needed to be serviced twice due to very different reasons last year under the warranty, and yet it still ran fast everyday. As for the WG Daytona, because of the fear of adding more scratches on the metal bezel (it was the original, unpolished bezel in an immaculate condition), I ended up not wearing it enough.

[alex.cicollo]

Stunning watch - well done you! Congratulations!

[HippoDancer]

Here is the current collection (see below). After the Panerai was gone, I alternate wearing the Blancpain and the Tudor GMT every other day. Hopefully the new YG Daytona will get more wrist time soon.

Some other thoughts and observations:
a). my SA allowed me maybe two days to decide if I wanted to purchase this piece, telling me he had seven more people on the wait list.
b). prior to this purchase I spent about 20k at the AD on one Rolex and other brands' watches, but did not buy anything from them in the last four years (well maybe that also explains why I waited for that long).
c). my AD is located in an ultra affluent area and I believe my spending history with them was almost insignificant. That's why I have never bothered to inquire my place on the list.
d). In my opinion, compared to the number of people who want to buy SS Daytona from AD, there are fewer buyers for PM Daytona. Or perhaps the availability indeed is improving because Rolex is in fact working on producing more??

[alllexandru]

That is a nice Daytona! Congratulations!

[the_wristlist]

The best Oysterflex Daytona congratulations

[travisb]

Congratulations! Long time coming.

[brandrea]

Congratulations. Your patience is rewarded

[Little machines]

Congratulations!!!

[Steph-paul]

Nice collection! Congratulations!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[DtownRRS]

Very nice! I am waiting on the same reference. Hopefully soon. Enjoy it!

[Obi Wan]

The wait was worth it! Big congratulations!

[Sergio_UKR]

Great pick up! OF Daytonas are the best.

Now you need to upgrade that Tudor to the actual Pepsi ;)

[HippoDancer]

Originally Posted by Sergio_UKR

Great pick up! OF Daytonas are the best.

Now you need to upgrade that Tudor to the actual Pepsi ;)

Haha I don't know. I'm thinking about VTNR but has not told my SA.

There was a particular reason I picked up the Tutor GMT a while ago. My goal is to wear the Tudor for very long time and hopefully the aluminum bezel will acquire the faded look. And this cannot happen to Pepsi's ceramic bezel.

[fooey]

Nice 50 fathoms!
and congratulations on the Daytona

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

[HippoDancer]

Originally Posted by fooey

Nice 50 fathoms!
and congratulations on the Daytona

Sent from my SM-G991B using Tapatalk

Thank you!

Somehow 50 fathoms are not that popular in North America? Maybe my impression is wrong. I've learned BP especially 50 fathoms are quite popular in Asian markets.

[SLWoodster]

Have had both, kept the old one.

It would be a pretty even trade. A new one would go for more, but gray would usually want to make something extra for the trade.

If it's any solace, the 4 digit daytonas had gold hands, not red ones. They also didn't have red outer ring markers though.

The glidelock is better than easy link but i don't actually miss the glidelock.

I prefer the red hands on the 11 series better.

[HippoDancer]

Originally Posted by SLWoodster

Have had both, kept the old one.

It would be a pretty even trade. A new one would go for more, but gray would usually want to make something extra for the trade.

If it's any solace, the 4 digit daytonas had gold hands, not red ones. They also didn't have red outer ring markers though.

The glidelock is better than easy link but i don't actually miss the glidelock.

I prefer the red hands on the 11 series better.

You are absolutely right. I also think the 12 series looks more similar to the original 4 digit daytonas compared to 11 series.

[Heu]

Congratulations!

[ZOOK]

Congratulations

[Edwardfry3]

Nice watch, congratulations.

[Akacoke]

Nice ref. Im in the same boat. Wanted the 116 PN. But couldn't get it before it got discontinued, I too just received the 126 PN. My plan is to to see rolex is willing to change the hands to red and black set after warranty runs out.

[HippoDancer]

Originally Posted by Akacoke

Nice ref. Im in the same boat. Wanted the 116 PN. But couldn't get it before it got discontinued, I too just received the 126 PN. My plan is to to see rolex is willing to change the hands to red and black set after warranty runs out.

Interesting thought! I presume Rolex would not change the hands to red and black set since the 126 PN does not come with these features. Perhaps it can only be done via 3rd party?

In a way this idea is comparable to requesting Rolex to change the original dial to some other designs.

[Akacoke]

Originally Posted by HippoDancer

Interesting thought! I presume Rolex would not change the hands to red and black set since the 126 PN does not come with these features. Perhaps it can only be done via 3rd party?

In a way this idea is comparable to requesting Rolex to change the original dial to some other designs.

If you look in my thread history I posted about a 116 PN with 126 hands thru warranty work by Rolex . I considered buying the 116 PN from grey . But I can't unsee the subtle difference of the 126 PN that I consider upgrades from 116. So I'm really stuck. The 116 looks cartoonish to me. And the 126 is missing the red and black hands. So my only hope is rolex is willing to do it.

[HippoDancer]

Originally Posted by Akacoke

If you look in my thread history I posted about a 116 PN with 126 hands thru warranty work by Rolex . I considered buying the 116 PN from grey . But I can't unsee the subtle difference of the 126 PN that I consider upgrades from 116. So I'm really stuck. The 116 looks cartoonish to me. And the 126 is missing the red and black hands. So my only hope is rolex is willing to do it.

I did look up your thread and it was a quite intriguing case. Could it be possible that RSC did not have the old 116 ref. red and black hands in stock and had to service that particular watch with the updated 126 ref. hands? Or, given the 116 ref. is discontinued, the 116 watch being serviced needs to be brought to "up-to-date standard"?

I'd love to hear more from your experience once you make that request to RSC. it looks like we acquired our respective YG OF daytonas around the same time so there will be some wait before the warranty expires.

[Jackie Daytona]

Congrats! I really like that one! Looks great!

[ltmgeller]

Congrats!!!

[HippoDancer]

And thanks to everyone for your kind words! I am still very thrilled for being able to acquire this YG daytona!

[Ursusarctos]

A long wait but that just makes it all the sweeter. Congratulations. It's nice to see patience be rewarded in a world where "now" seems to be the only option for so many.