Is the 116500 the perfect steel Daytona?

[Fserial]

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

[Tanuki]

I think it may be at least for while. I don’t like things on the new model but of course I have yet to see the new one in the metal.

[Frank McKay]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

Great question and comments. Imho I believe so. The watch from a size, fit, dimension perspective is perfect. Black or white dial. Both iconic and will stand the test of time.


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[Agamemnon]

It could be, yes.

[HMHM]

In terms of build quality, movement accuracy, no doubt the 116500 is the best.
However, in terms of pure aesthetic, the 6263 is almost unrivalled. There’s a reason why the new LeMan anniversary Daytona resembles the 6263, especially the black dial, Big Red variant.

[alex.cicollo]

Yes. Full stop.

[Wssszsss]

I have both black and white 116500, but I like the 126500 much more, they have more vintage looking just like an update after 16520 directly. (But I will need to wait to see on hand for sure)
The 116500s on the other hand, the design language are softer and rounder, just like how 2010s cars, it feels ‘modern’, I still think they will remain icons that represent this decade after many years looking back.

[omar-rye]

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

[padi56]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona,well speaking for myself not a fan of the modern day Daytona.It must be the most hyped Rolex watch ever,yes it has a great movement.But if it was not the fact of hype and always been hard to get at retail I would doubt if it would have the status today.Today hype sells watches as many buy to wear the hype and today most of the sports line have become little more than ££$$€€ objects and little more.Take my Daytona 6263 when my father bought his way back in the 1980s ADs could not give them away.They even gave him a discount of £25, he went to buy a Sub but the Daytona was over a hundred pound cheaper. But today most everyone would like to own a Daytona 6263 but now bringing crazy money and no mine is not for sale at any price..

[Gazoak]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

I actually believe the Porsche 991.1 was peak 911. Naturally aspirated as the 997, better interior than the 997 and better looking at the back. On the rest of your comments, I concur.

[ROLEX*]

I think submariner is 16610LV, followed by 116610LV

Agreed Daytona is 116500LN

[Rushne]

Originally Posted by Gazoak

I actually believe the Porsche 991.1 was peak 911. Naturally aspirated as the 997, better interior than the 997 and better looking at the back. On the rest of your comments, I concur.

Exact thought I had reading that. I do love the 997 as well of course, but the 991.1 is just that tad more perfect I think.

[Rushne]

Originally Posted by padi56

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona,well speaking for myself not a fan of the modern day Daytona.It must be the most hyped Rolex watch ever,yes it has a great movement.But if it was not the fact of hype and always been hard to get at retail I would doubt if it would have the status today.Today hype sells watches as many buy to wear the hype and today most of the sports line have become little more than ££$$€€ objects and little more.Take my Daytona 6263 when my father bought his way back in the 1980s ADs could not give them away.They even gave him a discount of £25, he went to buy a Sub but the Daytona was over a hundred pound cheaper. But today most everyone would like to own a Daytona 6263 but now bringing crazy money and no mine is not for sale at any price..

Wow! The most toned down and relaxed Padi post I have seen :)
But as usual, completely correct. I love my 116500 but I didn't pay a cent over retail and the reason for buying it was a personal goal I set myself first year out of high school... almost 20 years ago.
But in general... it's sold by hype.

However, Padi, could contributing factors also be, there isn't really an equal to the Daytona.
By that I mean, Automatic, 100m WR , slim and 39ish mm?
And of course, "reasonably priced", this side of 20k

The Zenith is the closest but, a bigger watch...

But... hype does still add more demand than any other factor.... by far I guess.

[KY..]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

No,
The original 4 digit Paul Newman is hands down the #1 Daytona, and the original 6263/6265 Big Red is #2 IMO.

[Driver8]

Obviously this is completely subjective, but no I personally I don't think the 116500LN is the "perfect" Daytona.

The reason I say that is because by the OP's yardstick of "every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula", the new 126500LN doesn't really deviate from the formula at all IMO (despite what some may say). In reality it's a VERY gentle evolution of the 116500LN, not an earth shattering revolution which leaves the 116500LN standing as some beacon of perfection.

Plus (and this is a personal thing) by any measure, the asymmetrical lugs on the outgoing SS Daytonas are arguably not really "peak design" from an aesthetic standpoint....which is no doubt one reason why Rolex have changed it.

Was the 116500LN a milestone? Yes of course it was, as it was the first ceramic bezel SS Daytona. Is it the perfect iteration? No, not IMO. For me the 126500LN is already a demonstrable improvement. JMO and YMMV.

[watchwatcher]

It's a great watch, to be sure, but...

Really, time will ultimately tell. Until then, I think it's all pretty much speculation, and, if I were to speculate,I don't know how you'd make the claim any 5 (or even 6) digit series is the peak when there are so many great 4 digit watches. And speaking of 4 digit watches, the Paul Newman would be a pretty tough one for any modern Daytona to surpass.

But, hey, since we're just spitballing here, I'll throw one out: I think the greatest iteration of the EXP2 is the 1655.

[APPRF]

Yes and Yes 100% you are correct. As Padi said nobody wanted the 6263 it was sold at discount and grey dealers even refused to buy them. It's just hyped because of the Paul Newman factor and charity auction, not sure if the buyer was revealed, it may be Rolex itself. The 6263 is actually the most hyped Daytona not the 116500.

[ol' Rex]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

Nice!

I really like the look of the ring around the bezel.

[Ravager135]

I really like the look of the newest Daytona. I can take or leave the metal ring around the ceramic bezel. I can easily understand why many don't like it and thus prefer the previous generation model. I still feel all the other changes are for the better on the newest model.

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

For the new 126500 Daytona the sought after model will be the black in my opinion. The white Panda 116500 will always be the iconic face for the Daytona for years to come, they ruined the Panda look on the new white 126500.

[swish77]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

Subjective indeed. The 6263 Big Red was the peak Daytona, IMHO. (And the last air-cooled Porsche 911 (993) was the peak.)

[ArtNouveau]

I’ve had four SS Daytonas from three generations. My black dial 116500 is my favorite and the incremental changes to the 12 series aren’t enough to make me want to change.
Oh, and 991.1 911 for me too.

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Rushne

Exact thought I had reading that. I do love the 997 as well of course, but the 991.1 is just that tad more perfect I think.

The 116500 Daytona will go down as the pinnacle of the modern Daytona.
As far as the 911 and owning every model over the last 30+ years.
The ultimate modern 911 would be the 991.2 from my perspective.
991.2 was perfection in build quality, materials, design and performance. Everything was just dialed in and the torque was significantly stronger from low rpm’s all the way up. You had all the tech with out it dominating the interior design and the build options were at the very top without Covid compromise.
I sold my 992 and searched for a for a top 991.2 Exclusive Manufaktur model.

On a side note: TRF is such a fun place for so many reasons besides watches as many of us have so many similar passions outside of our time pieces..

[CarlOver]

Originally Posted by Mystro

The 116500 Daytona will go down as the pinnacle of the modern Daytona.
As far as the 911 and owning every model over the last 30+ years.
The ultimate modern 911 would be the 991.2 from my perspective.
991.2 was perfection in build quality, materials, design and performance. Everything was just dialed in and the torque was significantly stronger from low rpm’s all the way up. You had all the tech with out it dominating the interior design and the build options were at the very top without Covid compromise.
I sold my 992 and searched for a for a top 991.2 Exclusive Manufaktur model.

On a side note: TRF is such a fun place for so many reasons besides watches as many of us have so many similar passions outside of our time pieces..

The 991.2 is very, very good. The GTS is the sweet spot for those. I agree with you.

[PenDelicate]

Originally Posted by APPRF

For the new 126500 Daytona the sought after model will be the black in my opinion. The white Panda 116500 will always be the iconic face for the Daytona for years to come, they ruined the Panda look on the new white 126500.

For me (obviously only from photos), the new rim around the ceramic of the 12-series has taken-on the appearance of a frame around a painting. I really like it.

[Ruud Van Driver]

The best, perfect steel Daytona is the one the wearer owns and enjoys wearing the most.

[Cassidyanne]

Aestheticcally speaking, nothing has ever matched these two beauties!!!!

And the 16520....still better looking than the 116500!!

[JSolution]

Meh give me gold over steel :)

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by Gazoak

I actually believe the Porsche 991.1 was peak 911. Naturally aspirated as the 997, better interior than the 997 and better looking at the back. On the rest of your comments, I concur.

991 was definitely peak Porsche 911 - it was actually lighter in weight than the 997 and has the most perfect Porsche shape to date.

[Hurricane]

Originally Posted by CarlOver

The 991.2 is very, very good. The GTS is the sweet spot for those. I agree with you.

^ this