Considering this 116520 - should I go for it?

[fizz]

Some background - I am a vintage guy. The closest thing I own to a modern Rolex is a 16570 Polar white from 91. The rest are 16030, 5513, and 1675.

I've always felt a Daytona was missing from the collection but I've given up any thoughts of even owning a 4/5 serial no reference because they really are ridiculously priced now (and have been for years).

Recently (the past few months), I've been mulling around with the idea of owning a modern Daytona because I have a 10 year work anniversary coming up. The AD won't even put me on their list because I have no purchase history (other than servicing) and no "connections" (sigh, Dubai....) so I've been looking at the 116520 which just happens to be the "least desirable" version of the watch (i.e. not a ceramic and not the Zenith movement either).

Today, for the first time ever, I tried it out. It is being offered for sale by a local seller at what I think is well below market price (I'll get to that later). I thought I might not be smitten by it (I've tried the Ceramic and was ho-hum about it), but this felt like magic - the right size for my small 6.3-inch wrist with a heft that screams wrist presence. I was immediately captivated. The seller is a collector and has every modern Rolex under the sun (his entire family regularly buys) but the catch is the watch (see pics) is sold without box or papers. Never been polished or serviced (so I am sure a service is due very soon for about 1500 USD or so).

I am no expert but checked/verified the following:

- D serial no and has fat hands
- Solid bracelet, not hollow links.
- Green lume
- No Rehaut engraving
- 3 piece SEL (Solid end link)
- Chronograph works and reset properly and accurately.

Pics below (click to see FULL-size versions).



















The price....a very firm and fixed 19k USD after all the haggling, pleasantries and watch talk. That's way, way, WAY more money than I've ever spent on something for the wrist (my most expensive purchase before this was my beloved birth year 5513 for 9k USD 6 years ago...oh, how time flies!).

Question for you good folk - should I go for it?

Thought, ideas, and considerations welcome....