Don't understand the popularity of the Zenith SS Daytona

[lobo58]

I could be wrong about this, but my assumption was that the profit margin was higher on the precious metals and the TT so more of those were made. I'm a neophyte in these forums, but I've been reading about the S/S Daytonas and it seems they weren't particularly popular out of the gate.

[Singslinger]

Originally Posted by Otto

It may be the gold when it comes to the "Zenith" Daytona (no comment on the "bling" comment), but I think for a different reason than "street cred." I suspect Rolex makes a larger profit on Daytona watches with gold content, so they make more of them; so there are fewer SS Daytonas made and sold; and since they are no longer making the "Zentih" Daytona, prices rise. I'm guessing, because maybe the sales volume for SS watches levels the playing field when it comes to gold content watches that are priced higher and maybe sell less frequently. Who knows? Rolex knows.

As for the "Zenith" SS Daytona, the white dial version is still IMO one of the best if not the best looking Daytonas around and it is slowly disappearing from the affordable (at least for me) market, maybe because it has been discontinued and there aren't that many around compared to other watches of the same period.

You could be right Otto and yes, I agree that the S/S Zenith white dial is arguably more attractive than the present white version (i like the black borders on the subdials more than gold).

[ajmarton]

I have the TT with champagne dial with the Zenith movement. The Zenith movement is a highly regarded movement and provide a good story about the watch. Also like the 2 tone sub-dials on the champagne dial.

[Imtiaz]

The 16250 is the Zenith movement model. Even in Japan this carries a premium. Mostly for the A serials and the P serials. These are the last of the Zenith movements.

Compared to the 116250 the 16250 costs about 25% more. Today around US$13,000 for a clean used watch with books, box, warranty card and history.

Personally I think the Rolex in-house movement is far superior and I read an article in a Japanese Watch mag. that clearly stated that the current movement is far more accurate than the Zenith.

33,000 beats per second throttled to 28,000 for the 116250.

[Atomant]

Originally Posted by Otto

It may be the gold when it comes to the "Zenith" Daytona (no comment on the "bling" comment), but I think for a different reason than "street cred." I suspect Rolex makes a larger profit on Daytona watches with gold content, so they make more of them; so there are fewer SS Daytonas made and sold; and since they are no longer making the "Zentih" Daytona, prices rise. I'm guessing, because maybe the sales volume for SS watches levels the playing field when it comes to gold content watches that are priced higher and maybe sell less frequently. Who knows? Rolex knows.

As for the "Zenith" SS Daytona, the white dial version is still IMO one of the best if not the best looking Daytonas around and it is slowly disappearing from the affordable (at least for me) market, maybe because it has been discontinued and there aren't that many around compared to other watches of the same period.

Originally Posted by Singslinger

You could be right Otto and yes, I agree that the S/S Zenith white dial is arguably more attractive than the present white version (i like the black borders on the subdials more than gold).

Well I would consider myself a newbie in the world of Daytonas. So I'll go for what appeals to my eye and that would be the white arabic dialed 116509.

[roach7]

the p-series would be awesome

[mike]

Sometimes a chart can help.