Black vs White Daytona

[chloebear]

Gents,

I feel quite good that I'm going to be getting a SS Daytona from my local AD in 2020. I like black and white about the same and would love some thoughts and insight from the community as to which dial color you prefer and why. I know the white is slightly more valuable but I'm not concerned about that part. I'm buying one to wear and enjoy.

Is the white dial more sought after because they make fewer of them? Or is it because there aren't as many white dial options? Or do people prefer the look of the white dial?

Thanks,

Mike

[beshannon]

I chose white because I could not read the black dial

[037]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I chose white because I could not read the black dial

Same. I love how the black looks overall but it's illegible. White mostly solved that.

White also added diversity in dial colors. Black is just another black watch.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by 037

Same. I love how the black looks overall but it's illegible. White mostly solved that.

White also added diversity in dial colors. Black is just another black watch.

I don't have a white dial at the moment after parting ways with my white Milgauss. I also parted with my Air-King. I'm down to the Explorer II (black dial) and Pepsi. So maybe the white dial rounds out the trio a bit better.

[037]

Originally Posted by chloebear

I don't have a white dial at the moment after parting ways with my white Milgauss. I also parted with my Air-King. I'm down to the Explorer II (black dial) and Pepsi. So maybe the white dial rounds out the trio a bit better.

In that case I would suggest white if you have the choice.

FWIW, lists are typically far shorter on black and production numbers seem to be equal. If you initially get the call for black and decide to wait for white, then decide white isn't for you for whatever reason, another black won't be far behind.

Hopefully 2020 pans out either way.

[Onequik135i]

Originally Posted by 037

Same. I love how the black looks overall but it's illegible. White mostly solved that.

White also added diversity in dial colors. Black is just another black watch.

This

[Watchdaytona]

Its most definitely the white dial, the market has spoken and clearly the 116500 white dial is the most sought after, and can only be attributed to the dial colour.

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I chose white because I could not read the black dial

Exactly this for me too Brian

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by beshannon

I chose white because I could not read the black dial

Great advice. In the last year my vision is noticeably worse. The only watch I can read without issue is my Explorer II. I call it "the large print edition." Visibility is definitely a consideration.

[42itus]

I think the black looks better in person. I don’t know if there is any data that shows a lower production of the white. I think some people just want the white because everyone says the white is harder to get.


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[HODDS]

I picked white. Just like the look better but both are beautiful!

[WWC]

White not cause production numbers were lower but because there’s a higher contrast between the bezel and the dial. Also the sub registers show a greater contrast as opposed to the black.

[Fat_ninja]

White is harder. Black is prettier :)


I’m so confused

[RHIII]

Originally Posted by Fat_ninja

White is harder. Black is prettier :)


I’m so confused

I agree with this. And from wearing both white and black dial Daytonas - I like the white because there just aren’t many whit dial Rolex professional models - but the black dial is the prettier dial IMHO.


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[watchmework]

If I had to pick I like the white dial better...think it’s looks better but both are too difficult for me to read.

[Rolltide126]

I think the white. Only other Rolex in white is OP or EXPII.

[I.AlOthman]

Originally Posted by Rolltide126

I think the white. Only other Rolex in white is OP or EXPII.

I personally think that Datejusts with white dials are quite stunning ;-)

While I prefer older Daytonas in black, I would have to go with the white dial variant on the ceramic version. I do feel that in black, the Ceramic Daytona is more “under the radar” than the white dial, which presents itself as being a bit more playful.






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[illiguy]

For the 116500 - White Dial. If you were going after the previous generation 116520 - Black Dial.

[ROLEXster]

White dial sings to me more.
Beside, I have too many black dials.

[KrismanX]

Ultimately you should see them both in the flesh. I enjoyed the look of white and black from the web, and I believe I leaned toward the black from photos alone. I was fortunate to sit with both at the AD to decide, and ended up with the white dial. It is absolutely gorgeous in person. It is very classy looking; yet does not command attention from the public. In 5 years I have had ONE person recognize it as a Rolex. It is a very pretty watch so people will admire once they actually stare at it; but it flies very under the radar for me on a daily basis. Hell, I wear it at work when brewing beer every day, and unless they already know what I'm wearing, there isn't a second glance. People always complain about legibility of their white Daytona; but I have worn my white 116520 without issue for 5 years. In my old banking job I would often meet with a client of mine who would wear his black 116520 and although nice looking, I found it a little bland.

I think I'm a sucker for white with red and black splashes because I now have a car with the exact same theme and I can NOT stop staring at it.

Here is a review I made a couple years back! Scroll down for the photo post!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=krismanx

Good luck and enjoy THE HUNT!!!

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by KrismanX

Ultimately you should see them both in the flesh. I enjoyed the look of white and black from the web, and I believe I leaned toward the black from photos alone. I was fortunate to sit with both at the AD to decide, and ended up with the white dial. It is absolutely gorgeous in person. It is very classy looking; yet does not command attention from the public. In 5 years I have had ONE person recognize it as a Rolex. It is a very pretty watch so people will admire once they actually stare at it; but it flies very under the radar for me on a daily basis. Hell, I wear it at work when brewing beer every day, and unless they already know what I'm wearing, there isn't a second glance. People always complain about legibility of their white Daytona; but I have worn my white 116520 without issue for 5 years. In my old banking job I would often meet with a client of mine who would wear his black 116520 and although nice looking, I found it a little bland.

I think I'm a sucker for white with red and black splashes because I now have a car with the exact same theme and I can NOT stop staring at it.

Here is a review I made a couple years back! Scroll down for the photo post!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=krismanx

Good luck and enjoy THE HUNT!!!

I really hope to see them both in person before deciding, but if I get a call and they have either one I'll probably take it. I was lucky on my Pepsi because they called and gave me first choice between the Pepsi and the Batman. Going in I thought for sure Pepsi, but in person it was dang near 50/50.

I tend to agree that there is no wrong answer and probably really no right answer either. I'm sure they are both fantastic.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by KrismanX

Ultimately you should see them both in the flesh. I enjoyed the look of white and black from the web, and I believe I leaned toward the black from photos alone. I was fortunate to sit with both at the AD to decide, and ended up with the white dial. It is absolutely gorgeous in person. It is very classy looking; yet does not command attention from the public. In 5 years I have had ONE person recognize it as a Rolex. It is a very pretty watch so people will admire once they actually stare at it; but it flies very under the radar for me on a daily basis. Hell, I wear it at work when brewing beer every day, and unless they already know what I'm wearing, there isn't a second glance. People always complain about legibility of their white Daytona; but I have worn my white 116520 without issue for 5 years. In my old banking job I would often meet with a client of mine who would wear his black 116520 and although nice looking, I found it a little bland.

I think I'm a sucker for white with red and black splashes because I now have a car with the exact same theme and I can NOT stop staring at it.

Here is a review I made a couple years back! Scroll down for the photo post!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=krismanx

Good luck and enjoy THE HUNT!!!

Just read your linked review Kristopher. Very nice review and I completely get the break in period. I was that way on my Explorer II as well. I wear it for everything except the gym as well.

I have to say, white Daytona with jeans and red Chucks....killer.

[KrismanX]

Originally Posted by chloebear

Just read your linked review Kristopher. Very nice review and I completely get the break in period. I was that way on my Explorer II as well. I wear it for everything except the gym as well.



I have to say, white Daytona with jeans and red Chucks....killer.

Thanks!! I F’n LOVE my Daytona.

[chloebear]

Originally Posted by KrismanX

Thanks!! I F’n LOVE my Daytona.

My philosophy on Rolex is exactly yours; wear them, beat them up, enjoy them and f-ing love them. That's the right answer. Forget trying to make a quick buck.

[KrismanX]

Originally Posted by chloebear

My philosophy on Rolex is exactly yours; wear them, beat them up, enjoy them and f-ing love them. That's the right answer. Forget trying to make a quick buck.

Booyah

[Tavli3]

I liked the black in photo comparisons but I recently actually got to try on both and it was no contest. The white dial wore larger and was more legible. I could not read the black dial and the black insert and the all black dial seamed to meld into a black lagoon. This is simply my perspective and acknowledge others have the opposite take on it. I think age and eyesight play a major role in which you like better. My advice is not to listen to anyone and not to go by Forum pictures. Go to a Grey dealer and try both on, unfortunately you can't do that at an AD but it's the only way to make sure you buy the one that sings to you most.

Waiting on a Daytona from my AD and if offered the black dial I would have to pass.

[Mr. Superlative]

Always bet on black.

[RJRJRJ]

White (which I chose) seems to be more popular because it has the panda look to it, whereas the black has a similar dial to the 116520. They probably make the same of both and that's just a guess, but that goes back to my first point.

[son5]

I am a huge fan of the white Daytona.

[2nastie]

The white variant to the general audience on this particular model offers more contrast compared to it's counterpart. In a way, it brings back a bit of the aesthetics of the more famous Daytona's from the 80s (Paul Newman's,etc) with the Panda-like dial.

Another reason why is lighter/white dials are harder to match on different watches. The Daytona C seems perfect in white. Easier to match a blue or black dial to almost all watches. In collection of multiple watches, some color variations is always nice.

Go white for the 116500. I prefer the black dial for the 116520.