Revisiting my views on Rolex Daytona Ceramic Black Dial

[airchitect]

My like for the Daytona is new but I’d never have it over a GMT or even a sub. It’s just not near as functional. I think your feelings are actually rather common.... it’s kind of one of those watches where you either love it for what it is or long for everything it isn’t.....
a better size, more legible, a date, etc....some even begin to wonder why they just didn’t get the SMP......arguably the most important chrono in all of watchdom...for 15k less......

[Paddyh17]

I have the 116520 white dial and the Pepsi - love them both. The Daytona remains my favorite watch in my collection. The white face is much easier to read. Wear what you love.

[remrk]

I have both the BLRO and a white dial ceramic Daytona. To me overall the Daytona is my favorite watch. I like the contrast of the dial, the size and the slimness. However, recently I’ve found the BLRO to be on my wrist more often.

[descartes]

Have a Daytona (116506) and three GMTs (16710, 116710LN and 126710BLRO).

The GMT is a way better and more practical daily watch because of the legibility and date (not to mention the dual time zone). IMO, through the decades, it's been the greatest watch Rolex makes.

[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by MountEverest

Hello everyone,

For the past few months, I have been considering either selling my Rolex Daytona Ceramic Black Dial or my Rolex Pepsi Jubilee. It is so interesting, I have lusted after the Daytona for many years and absolutely loved it the first few months that I owned it. I thought this would be my final grail watch and I would not need another one. Of course, I thought this same thing about the Pepsi watch before the Daytona, but this is another story.

Interestingly enough, over the past 6 months, I have found the black dial not legible on the Daytona in many instances and have only used the chronograph feature one time. Instead, I have been wearing my Pepsi much more often.

I guess my question is, has anyone received their grail watch only to find that this watch really isn't for them and even began to wonder what so many people see in it? Sometimes, I can't believe their is such a demand for a watch that is so difficult to tell the time with and a chronograph feature that I am sure most people never use. However, the fact that it is hard to get and people want it makes is more pleasing to me somehow????

I appreciate any thoughts that you may share?

Thank you.

I feel this way about my ceramic pepsi......wanted it so much as i love my older gmts but having bought 2 .....the first was the pastel coloured bezel followed by the mk 2 ive come to the conclusion that i dont like the jubilee.....i dont ever wear it and still prefer my 16710

[jaisonline]

RH, what did you tell me about my 16520? I mentioned how hard it can be for my 40+ year old eyes to see the time.

“People don’t buy a Daytona to tell time but to show the time.”



Wh

Originally Posted by RHIII

This is not uncommon at all. The ‘hype’ surrounding Daytonas these days truly sets many up for failure at acquisition - and I own many a Daytona - including ceramics.

If I had a dollar for each conversation with friends of mine who had similar feelings when they got theirs - or their Nautilus, or Aquanaut. I’d have a BUNCH of dollars.

It is the travesty of what is and has been going on in the watch world (amongst other markets as well). Individual desire is heightened at the perception of something one cannot ‘have’ or easily acquire. Then, upon acquisition....many are like, “that’s it?”.

The desire for several modern references today is simply that. “I” (whoever that is) want (insert reference here) because it’s hard to acquire. End of story. And that’s why there are so many on the secondary market.

Most things that become super hyped up - rarely live up to that hype upon acquisition. Simply, a checked box and begin the hunt (the true grail for the enthusiast) for whatever is next.

Just my .02


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[csaltphoto]

I think it is a great looking watch. Very "Tool-ish"; like all those dials and buttons ought to be engaged in something important. It photographs brilliantly.

But in person? I just have no need for a postage stamp sized stop watch. It just doesn't do anything I need and the one thing I do need (the time), the busy face makes reading that a bit of chore.

Just to compare that to something like the Day Date. Lots of useful information presented in a highly legible format. Really, everything you need from a watch other than a timing bezel. And while I use the timing bezel all the time on my sub I'm not so senile (yet) that I can't just make a mental note of when the ribs went on and when I should turn them.

[Stevec14]

I had the black ceramic Daytona and initially loved it. Never had any legibility issues, but over time I got a bit bored with it. It became just another black dialed Rolex with a black ceramic bezel. I sold it.

If I had another one, it would for sure be the two tone black dial. Loads of pop and contrast. That said I’m happy with my omega Apollo 11 which scratches the gold itch and is very legible and usable as a chrono.


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[RHIII]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

RH, what did you tell me about my 16520? I mentioned how hard it can be for my 40+ year old eyes to see the time.

“People don’t buy a Daytona to tell time but to show the time.”



Wh

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[johnorpheus]

Never owned, but have tried on a Daytona, the WG black one with the rubber strap. It's a beautiful watch, but as others have said, hard to read and wears quite small, so not for me. My uncle has a SS black face and a BLRO (he's the one who got me into Rolex and watches in general). I've never seen the Daytona on his wrist once, only on his watch stand. He only wears the BLRO. The Daytona is purely a watch he got because it was hard to get.

[maveric]

If it weren't for Paul Newman, the Daytona would see an average demand, at best, relative to other Rolex models.

[sp006]

Originally Posted by Greg 59

Similar to you i have lusted after a Daytona for a long time. One day about 2 years ago i was in the local AD making small talk and after leaving the store i decided to cross the road to one of their competitors (an Omega dealer) as i had an hour or so left on the parking metre.
The way i was greeted and treated was certainly a step up from the experience at the aforementioned Rolex AD and as i browsed the displays sipping on a freshly brewed latte i came across the Speedmaster Racing. I thought how similar it looked to the Daytona i wanted so badly. I tried it on, read all the specs, listened to the manager talk it up and then when he offered me a substantial discount i decided to pull the trigger.
I'm not one for impulse buys but on this occasion i couldn't resist. I've owned Omegas for 30 years so I'm familiar with the brand. It's become my go-to watch. You know... the one you wear when you don't want to scratch anything precious. I cut the grass, climb ladders, wash the car without worrying that i could inadvertently wipe a few thousand dollars off its value if i ding or scraped it. As such it gives me so much joy.
I never think about owning a Daytona anymore. I have other more interesting watches on my wish list now and my Speedmaster Racing is as much a part of my collection as any of my other watches even though it's getting a harder life.
I understand how the OP feels. I think we've all gone through that at one time or another.

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I would definitely consider but I’m worried about it being too big at 44+


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[lamnyc]

I still enjoy wearing my black ceramic Daytona. No issues reading the time ... except in the dark.

[GMT Aviator]

Personally I’m not a chrono fan. The dials are just too busy and difficult to read.
Having said that I do possess some panda dial speedy’s and a 1998 Moonwatch, but I never really wear them. They’re great to look at in the watch box, but not so great to tell the time.
Now the GMT is a whole different kettle of fish. One of the best watches ever made, easy to read AND really useful for tracking more than one time zone at a glance.
Luckily I’ve never lusted after a Daytona and probably never will. It’s such a massively over-hyped watch and in all honesty I think the Speedmaster is the better watch of the two, but like has already been said above, people mostly buy Daytonas to show the time, not tell the time.

[Amochosto]

To be honest, I kind of went the other way, I didn’t want the Daytona, but a friend of mine who is also a collector mad an introduction to his AD and I was offered a black 116500. I bought it on impulse, and for a few days I kinda felt like an idiot dragged in by the by the hype rather than any real desire for the watch, but by the time it was time to rotate to another watch I was in love and really didn’t want to take it off.

[Alan111]

Originally Posted by maveric

If it weren't for Paul Newman, the Daytona would see an average demand, at best, relative to other Rolex models.

Simply not true. Beginning in 2000, the Daytona was never seen in a dealer's showcase. I have never seen one in an AD in 13 years.

[jenedla]

I've had my black Daytona for nearly two years now and still enjoy it very much. It is part of a five-watch rotation and gets a good bit of wrist time. I am also a sucker for a chronograph, not so much for the utility, but for the aesthetics; something about a chrono dial just feels right to me.

Because I also have a Speedmaster FOIS, I have often wished for the white Daytona to make for a great black/white pairing, but am reluctant to make that move. I would definitely add the white, but don't know if I'd swap.

There is no doubt (in my mind, anyway) that the utility of the Daytona chrono is less than perfect. The minutes register is a bit incomplete, the registers are relatively small, and the screw-down pushers make it a bit more cumbersome to quickly deploy, but I consider those to only be minor inconveniences.

[Spartacus]

The sub-dials on the Black Daytona are so striking when hit with light at certain angles. If I could own both I would. Beautiful piece.

[Muxi]

My desire is very specific to certain references and models. Quite a few are hyped but sometimes the hype is for a reason. I like Daytonas so I have them. The 2020 releases, nothing really catches my attention. So I just keep within my list of watches I want to buy.

[MountEverest]

Originally Posted by kieselguhr

Just because it is hard to get and people want it does not mean a watch will fit your ideal. The more people realize that they should get a watch that appeals to them instead of getting something coveted by someone else, the more enjoyment they will get from this hobby.

Thank you for sharing your thoughts and Wisdom. I have given it a lot of thought lately and I am not sure I would even be interested in the Daytona if hadn't tried to obtain it for so many years. I am finding it difficult to figure out why I buy certain watches and it seems I forgot about the importance of finding one that makes my happy :+)

[MountEverest]

Originally Posted by Greg 59

Similar to you i have lusted after a Daytona for a long time. One day about 2 years ago i was in the local AD making small talk and after leaving the store i decided to cross the road to one of their competitors (an Omega dealer) as i had an hour or so left on the parking metre.
The way i was greeted and treated was certainly a step up from the experience at the aforementioned Rolex AD and as i browsed the displays sipping on a freshly brewed latte i came across the Speedmaster Racing. I thought how similar it looked to the Daytona i wanted so badly. I tried it on, read all the specs, listened to the manager talk it up and then when he offered me a substantial discount i decided to pull the trigger.
I'm not one for impulse buys but on this occasion i couldn't resist. I've owned Omegas for 30 years so I'm familiar with the brand. It's become my go-to watch. You know... the one you wear when you don't want to scratch anything precious. I cut the grass, climb ladders, wash the car without worrying that i could inadvertently wipe a few thousand dollars off its value if i ding or scraped it. As such it gives me so much joy.
I never think about owning a Daytona anymore. I have other more interesting watches on my wish list now and my Speedmaster Racing is as much a part of my collection as any of my other watches even though it's getting a harder life.
I understand how the OP feels. I think we've all gone through that at one time or another.

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Thank you for sharing your story. I find it so interesting to hear from people why they actually purchase the watches that they do. Thank you :+)