I really want to love my Daytona

[997.2]

Never really been a fan of the spatial decisions they made with the design and I have no use for a chrono so I understand! Iconic look for sure though.


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[subtona]

Agree with your points, it was also a long term grail of mine, eventually got it and ultimately let it go... Twice. Both white then black.

[kentrojan1]

Originally Posted by Tmac478

But I'm not sure I do.

This is the one watch I really wanted to own - my grail watch.

Now that I own it, I'm not sure I love it the way I thought I would.



Pros:

• The Daytona has got serious bling factor. My wife loves the look of this watch.
  
• This sounds self serving but, the history and collectablility of this watch makes owning one pretty cool.
  
• Super comfortable and sits nicely on my wrist
  

Cons:

• The dial has a lot going on in a very small space.
  
• I'm having a hard time telling time. Sometimes it's a struggle for my 58 year old eyes. Maybe there is not enough contrast between dial and hands.
  
• Lume is underwelming
  

I've only had my Daytona for 6 weeks so I'm not ready to chuck it just yet. I'm going to wear it for a while and see if it starts speaking to me but, I'm disappointed that I'm disappointed.

Daytona is not for everyone, I had it for a very short period of time then flipped it , too blingy and dressy for my liking and I also had trouble reading the time on the dial so I don't think it's to do with age as I'm a little bit younger than you lol!


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[murph145]

yea i have never been a huge fan of the daytona. so many other models i would rather have but it is a sought after watch on its own

[versatile1]

Bright side is this
You can trade it for anything else in the Rolex SS lineup without parting with any more money, even if you lose a buck or 2 you will be much happier with the watch you want.

[helson]

I can see that legibility is not the strong point of the Daytona.

[wisguy]

Maybe it's just not for you.

I used to own one and it's the best Rolex IMO.

[bdex75]

Originally Posted by Watch@ddict

Maybe you can flip it for a black faced dial?

This exactly.

I am not a fan of the Daytona by and large but do like the black dial better. I have a speedy that fills the chrono spot in my watch box.


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[slickrick68]

Originally Posted by toneafficianado

I had the same experience this year with a Bluesy Sub..after a few months I realised I didn't love it even though it had been my grail for years. Sold now with no regrets.
A thought for you is the Yachtmaster. It has a case shape similar to the Daytona with the curved sides and thinner lugs but way more legibility, especially the blue dial version.

+1 on the yachtmaster recommendation. the blue dial is very easy to read and has a great feel on the wrist.

[AK797]

Six weeks is long enough, I felt the same about the Daytona until I got one with the ceramic bezel.

[goin camping]

Originally Posted by Tmac478

But I'm not sure I do.
This is the one watch I really wanted to own - my grail watch.
Now that I own it, I'm not sure I love it the way I thought I would.

Pros:

• The Daytona has got serious bling factor. My wife loves the look of this watch.
• This sounds self serving but, the history and collectablility of this watch makes owning one pretty cool.
• Super comfortable and sits nicely on my wrist

Cons:

• The dial has a lot going on in a very small space.
• I'm having a hard time telling time. Sometimes it's a struggle for my 58 year old eyes. Maybe there is not enough contrast between dial and hands.
• Lume is underwelming

I've only had my Daytona for 6 weeks so I'm not ready to chuck it just yet. I'm going to wear it for a while and see if it starts speaking to me but, I'm disappointed that I'm disappointed.

You and I have the same watch and problems reading it. Old age is not for the weak.

My solution was to get black hands for the main hour and minute and red hands for the sub dial and the large second hand.

The contrast of the new hands allows me to read the watch without putting on my reading glasses.

[TK-710]

I think it would be hard to turn around the feelings you're having. I think it might be time to move on. If you continue to wear it just in the hopes you'll like it more you'll run a chance of lowering its resale value. There are a lot of nice watches in that price point. No need having one your not really enjoying.

[goin camping]

Originally Posted by Watch@ddict

Maybe you can flip it for a black faced dial?

I had a black face and it was worse than reading the white face. (See above.) So I traded it in for the white one.

[asleep]

I see your point. A moment of silence for your Daytona...






Now, onto grail hunting!!!

[mps354]

There are plenty of watches I want to like but don't. Sometimes it's just not for you despite being a fan favorite

[Scoobs]

I too had the same problem, exactly the same concerns.

Then I swapped in a Panda Dial which totally transformed the watch for me which is now a definite keeper. Highly recommended mod if you are that way inclined.

[Tmac478]

Thanks all, for understanding and the suggestions:

Originally Posted by toneafficianado

A thought for you is the Yachtmaster. It has a case shape similar to the Daytona with the curved sides and thinner lugs but way more legibility, especially the blue dial version.

I was just looking at some pictures of this watch. Beautiful. I may have to try one on soon.

Originally Posted by Sublover2166

Since your wife happens to love it, how about give it to her to wear? Daytona seems to be the favorite of women as far as a mans watch. My wrist is 7.5 inches and I would probably feel the same way and be unhappy with it. .

Maybe I will give it to her. I'll let her try it on and see how she likes it. I also have a 7.5" wrist.

Originally Posted by jrs146

I had the same conundrum. I always loved the Daytona, and actually I still do. It just doesn't work for me on my wrist. Give it some more time, but I doubt your gut reaction will change. The good news is there are many other choices that could be a better fit. If it doesn't sing, it's gotta go!

Yeah, I'll give it a few more weeks...

Originally Posted by Limestonedan

The Daytona is beautiful watch and with a cool history. I'm the same age as you and unfortunately can have the same issue with reading the time off my watches. Looking at your wrist size you look like you could easily accommodate a larger 42-44mm piece without looking out of place. I've had no issue with telling the time, or size, with my Cameron. But like everything else it's a personal decision with watches, style, size etc. Good luck with whatever you decide.

I recently purchased a Panerai 000 and love it. Totally different from Rolex but so easy to read. Wrist size is 7.5

Originally Posted by WatchinMD

If your wife loves it, give it to her. Otherwise flip

Maybe

Originally Posted by sea-dweller

I had the same concerns early on, about the dial being "busy". Took me a while to get used to it!

True. If your eye site is strong it looks awesome. In low light, I've got to put on reading glasses to tell the time.

Originally Posted by versatile1

Bright side is this
You can trade it for anything else in the Rolex SS lineup without parting with any more money, even if you lose a buck or 2 you will be much happier with the watch you want.

True, thanks

Originally Posted by slickrick68

+1 on the yachtmaster recommendation. the blue dial is very easy to read and has a great feel on the wrist.

Will definitely try one on next time I'm at AD

Originally Posted by asleep

I see your point. A moment of silence for your Daytona...
Now, onto grail hunting!!!

LOL - not quite ready to read the eulogy quite yet. But it may on on life support

[Bluside]

I would have a hard time reading that watch also.

I had a TT Bluesy for 18 yrs. I loved it the 1st year. Then I wore it less and less. It was too flashy for me. It took me a long time to realize I needed to just sell it and get something else.

Finally, about 3 months ago I got rid of it and bought a BLNR and never looked back. Wish I had done years earlier.

That's a lot of money to have into something you don't really like.

[Speed]

Originally Posted by sickened1

Those are the exact same reasons I flipped mine a few months back plus I'm not a huge fan of PCL. Might give it another go but this time with a black dial instead.

All the posts I read on similar threads say the black dial is harder to read than the white.

😭

[sickened1]

Originally Posted by Speed

All the posts I read on similar threads say the black dial is harder to read than the white.

Yeah, I know... just thought I give it another chance. Plus I could always flip it again.

[Brian Page]

Originally Posted by subtona

Agree with your points, it was also a long term grail of mine, eventually got it and ultimately let it go... Twice. Both white then black.

I did the same thing - but I kept the black and love it - but it's not my only watch, wear a sub no date and speedy ...

[theflywrist]

Give it some time.
If you're not feeling it then flip it. Not every popular or sought after watch sings to everyone anyway.
Buy what you love, not others.

[beachbum]

I had a similar experience with my first Daytona but now I really love the Daytona. I was far to wrapped up in all the "Daytona is small" hype and I bought in. In reality it's an awesome watch and perfectly balanced on the wrist. It's a true icon of the brand.

[sgmgolf]

Originally Posted by Micha

try on a Zenith Daytona, nicer sub dials imo...

X2.... This is the route I took and am very happy. Much easier to read for me and I prefer the Zenith White Dial Daytona over the 116520 models.

[Tmac478]

Originally Posted by sgmgolf

X2.... This is the route I took and am very happy. Much easier to read for me and I prefer the Zenith White Dial Daytona over the 116520 models.

This may be an option too. The smaller, black ringed sub dials look like they're much easier to read.

[HiloBeMagical]

OP,

Put me in the "flip it immediately" camp. Life is too short not to wear something you love.
You made a decision with the best information you had at the time. Now that you have more information, you can make a more informed decision. There's no downside to that. Enjoy your new watch. :)

Hilo

[strafer_kid]

Originally Posted by sickened1

Those are the exact same reasons I flipped mine a few months back plus I'm not a huge fan of PCL. Might give it another go but this time with a black dial instead.

Also the exact same reasons I have held off on getting one myself. Love the concept and history etc and have had a few opportunities in the past to pick up nice pre-owned but just could not do it. Even looked at the black dial too! To be honest only the older four digit versions sing out to me............and to many others also!

[josephvman]

I felt the same way when I had one fifteen years ago, around the time I really got into Panerai's. The Daytona was my grail watch then and it sort of underwhelmed me and I didn't keep it long. I've gotten the itch to give it another try many times since but I'm afraid I'm more in love with the idea of having it than the watch itself. I realize it's no Daytona, but I find my Tudor Heritage Chrono has the size and presence I wanted in the Daytona, without the quite the bling. You might consider flipping out of the Daytona and trying the Tudor and buying something else with the difference.

[Tony64]

Your 'cons' seem insurmountable. And from your list, 2 of your 3 "pros" are based on factors other than your own appreciation for the watch.

I can appreciate the Daytona but would never own one myself. I think for many collectors the hype is not equalled by the reality.

[Onikage]

I think I know exactly what you mean. It doesn't have that instant readabilty that to the point dials have. Only nano seconds but slightly irritating after wearing a diver. I still love the Daytona though as all chronographs are like this, and the Daytona is just cool.