A monthly journal of trying to get a Daytona 116500

[braaad17]

Thanks for the update and congrats on your lates acquisition! Wear it in good health!

[goodolejr]

Congrats, brother! Hope you’ll cherish it forever.


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[SS Oyster]

Now three dealers will call you for the 116500


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[arcampado]

Congrats! This is a real life example of the definition of YOLO “you only live once.” You can’t take the money that you make now with you so why not add the watch to your collection now rather than later. Buy the watch that you want when you want it and enjoy & wear it in good health

[Dawgprint]

Congrats! While I’m new to the site, a great read!
I know it was worth the effort!

[ArtNouveau]

Congrats, I’m happy for you. It’s worth noting too that the MSRP climbed from $12400 when you started your quest to $15100 for the new release. Rolex prices have always outpaced inflation, even this past year’s numbers.
I am content with my black dial 116500 acquired in November 2019 after a 9 month wait. Not enough difference for me to seek another. Enjoy.

[Solo118]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

March 2023 Update Part A:

It's time for my irregular check-in. Then my posts were written every few months before settling at once per year. Anyway, I'm sure everyone read about the new 126500 Daytona model.



Background :

It's been 1,713 days since i created this thread in July 2018. I then stated , "...why not document my many unsuccessful attempts at acquiring my “grail” watch, a white dial Daytona 116510 white dial.



I started this hunt in Feb. 2018. At that time, secondary prices (white dial) were around $19K but decided to NOT pay above MSRP. I watched (no pun) pre-owned prices increase from $22K in 2019 to $28K in early 2021. Then things got really nutty in 2021 (saw preowned prices as high as $47K for white dials). For most of 2022, prices started declining which continued into 2023. From Jan to March 2023 , prices ranged between $26k and $34k. Mere hours after the 60th anniversary WoW announcement, prices increased 10% (or listings on many sites were removed) from what I observed. Currently, prices for white dial 116500s are in the mid-$30s.


Frankly, It has been a frustrating First World problem trying to be this watch from an AD since I began in early 2018. I learned a ton of info about AD allocation, reseller processes, relationships, empty promises, how outside people (mainly social media) w/ events (COVID, stocks, crypto) influence demand and secondary market prices.

March 2023 Update Part B:

My gut told me a new Daytona was coming for the 60th anniversary. I wasn't sure a redesign would only for precious metals or across the board. I do like the new model (reminds me if the 6263, 16520 & 116500 were put in a bag and shaken together). News of the 126500 also pushed up 116500 prices.



So with my gut feeling about a new Daytona announcement for WoW, I spoke w/ the wife last month. Needed her to be onboard. Then decreased my watch collection rather quickly and picked up a pre-owned 116500 for a very fair Feb. 2023 price.



Thanks to everyone who followed this thread and my journey since 2018.

Ironic, how my 116500 journey ended how I should have began it with buying a nice pre-owned full set model.

You did well, enjoy in best of health

[huba01]

Congrats

[Wilsdorfs Shoe]

Sounds like a smart conclusion. Well done.

[atm08]

Congrats!

[Seddyspaghetti]

Enjoy

[Cracker123A]

Congratulations

[Carguy87]

Congrats OP! Sorry you had to party market pricing but it sounds like you’ll truly love it so who cares about paying a premium? Can’t take it with you. Cheers and wear it in the best of health!

[perf0rmance]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

Congrats, I’m happy for you. It’s worth noting too that the MSRP climbed from $12400 when you started your quest to $15100 for the new release. Rolex prices have always outpaced inflation, even this past year’s numbers.
I am content with my black dial 116500 acquired in November 2019 after a 9 month wait. Not enough difference for me to seek another. Enjoy.

9 months - that’s stellar!

[bigbaddom3]

Interesting read.. Good luck.

[Cauhauna]

congrats, OP!
my story was similar to yours: in 2018, i got a sub and got on "the list" for a white daytona. years later, my AD lost their AD status in Auburn, AL. I should have just paid the 19K for a white one in 2018.

I bought in March 2022 in peak mania from David. I've worn my daytona nearly every day since. my only regret is not buying it sooner!

[1William]

Congratulations.

[SS Oyster]

I waited 13 years for a Daytona 116500 (originally asking for 116520), but it did finally come true.

[AJMarcus]

Sincere Congratulations!. You made the right choice.

[Jay_O]

Congratulations!

I do have one question for you.... Was it worth the wait? Now that you have one in your hands, is it living up to the idea you had in your head for the last five years? I hope it is.

[bp1000]

Congrats! Now just watch one of those AD's contact you with a surprise incoming!

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by SS Oyster

I waited 13 years for a Daytona 116500 (originally asking for 116520), but it did finally come true.

Very nice. What year did you acquire the 116500 ? Did your original AD (from 13 years prior) sell it to you?

[sski]

my SA told me last year they delivered a Black Daytona to a customer after a nearly 7 year wait. i believe her, but that's a long wait!

[ikincooper]

Great to scan through this thread earlier today and to follow your journey OP. So please that you’ve finally got the watch you’ve been after.

Here’s my journey which started with a request for a Daytona made in 2016/17. First purchase from the AD followed in May 2017 (a birth month/year BLNR celebrating my youngest son’s birth). Bought 2 more watches in 2021 (DJ 36 and Explorer 36). Asked seriously about a Daytona for my 40th in 2022 and told spend history wasn’t enough. Bought a Yacht Master 37 rose gold on oysterflex in Nov ‘22 for a family member and then got a call out of the blue offering me a Daytona earlier this year. I think I sent an email asking if it would be an impossibility to score a Daytona before I turned 41 towards the end of 2022.

For what it’s worth my interest was registered for a white dial all along, but I got offered a black which I’m still super enjoying.


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[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by Jay_O

Congratulations!

I do have one question for you.... Was it worth the wait? Now that you have one in your hands, is it living up to the idea you had in your head for the last five years? I hope it is.

Thanks Jay. Was it worth the wait? Good question. I have a long answer 2-part answer. In short, YES it was but...


1. While I never tried on the 116500, I'm familiar w/ the 116520 (essentially the same watch w/ a diff bezel and dial) and the 16520. Additionally, I know the clasp from other models. Thus, I had a solid idea about fit and size on the wrist.
The 116500 that's now in my collection is exactly what was in my head since 2018. on the watch itself. It's still an overhyped watch nevertheless (just my honest opinion).

2. The time and money wasted while waiting 5 years is what's still bothering me; I'll get over it (a lesson learnt). Like most people, I dislike wasting money, time, and opportunity costs.
So essentially, the opportunity cost (risk / reward) of waiting to pay MSRP is the key disappointment. If I bought the watch in 2018, the leftover money saved would have been allocated to something else / another hobby item (maybe a mid-grade 1951 Bowman Willie Mays; it was far less expensive in 2018 than current prices which happen to be currently declining). Plus, I could have been wearing the 116500 for the last 4-5 years wearing admiring the Mays :)

[jaisonline]

Originally Posted by Cauhauna

congrats, OP!
my story was similar to yours: in 2018, i got a sub and got on "the list" for a white daytona. years later, my AD lost their AD status in Auburn, AL. I should have just paid the 19K for a white one in 2018.

I bought in March 2022 in peak mania from David. I've worn my daytona nearly every day since. my only regret is not buying it sooner!

Very similar story. Nearly identical w/o AD losing their status. My ADs had other issues mainly Rolex applying pressure to conduct biz “the Rolex Way”. They made demands to at least these ADs. Then again, Rolex probably would have pulled their AD status of they didn’t comply w/ the demands.

I’m happy you ended up buying the watch. Did you buy it outright or partial trade?

I could have made a trade for a 2020 dated 116500 (ironically w/ the same business I ended up buying it from) in Jan. 2022). They wanted $45K in trade but were offering me really good trade-in values for my watches. I just didn’t want to part w/ those particular models from my collection.

[Mystro]

You have earned it.

[Cauhauna]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

Very similar story. Nearly identical w/o AD losing their status. My ADs had other issues mainly Rolex applying pressure to conduct biz “the Rolex Way”. They made demands to at least these ADs. Then again, Rolex probably would have pulled their AD status of they didn’t comply w/ the demands.

I’m happy you ended up buying the watch. Did you buy it outright or partial trade?

I could have made a trade for a 2020 dated 116500 (ironically w/ the same business I ended up buying it from) in Jan. 2022). They wanted $45K in trade but were offering me really good trade-in values for my watches. I just didn’t want to part w/ those particular models from my collection.

i bought it outright. since then, the rest of my collection has mostly sat.
i can't express enough how much i love the daytona. it's a blessing and a curse; blessing because when i think i want a watch, i can now honestly ask myself "will i ever actually wear that over my daytona?" the answer, so far, has always been no. and, a curse becauseare you really a watch collector if you just wear one watch, all the time? ha!

[Mathematoxic]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

March 2023 Update Part A:

It's time for my irregular check-in. Then my posts were written every few months before settling at once per year. Anyway, I'm sure everyone read about the new 126500 Daytona model.



Background :

It's been 1,713 days since i created this thread in July 2018. I then stated , "...why not document my many unsuccessful attempts at acquiring my “grail” watch, a white dial Daytona 116510 white dial.



I started this hunt in Feb. 2018. At that time, secondary prices (white dial) were around $19K but decided to NOT pay above MSRP. I watched (no pun) pre-owned prices increase from $22K in 2019 to $28K in early 2021. Then things got really nutty in 2021 (saw preowned prices as high as $47K for white dials). For most of 2022, prices started declining which continued into 2023. From Jan to March 2023 , prices ranged between $26k and $34k. Mere hours after the 60th anniversary WoW announcement, prices increased 10% (or listings on many sites were removed) from what I observed. Currently, prices for white dial 116500s are in the mid-$30s.


Frankly, It has been a frustrating First World problem trying to be this watch from an AD since I began in early 2018. I learned a ton of info about AD allocation, reseller processes, relationships, empty promises, how outside people (mainly social media) w/ events (COVID, stocks, crypto) influence demand and secondary market prices.

March 2023 Update Part B:

My gut told me a new Daytona was coming for the 60th anniversary. I wasn't sure a redesign would only for precious metals or across the board. I do like the new model (reminds me if the 6263, 16520 & 116500 were put in a bag and shaken together). News of the 126500 also pushed up 116500 prices.



So with my gut feeling about a new Daytona announcement for WoW, I spoke w/ the wife last month. Needed her to be onboard. Then decreased my watch collection rather quickly and picked up a pre-owned 116500 for a very fair Feb. 2023 price.



Thanks to everyone who followed this thread and my journey since 2018.

Ironic, how my 116500 journey ended how I should have began it with buying a nice pre-owned full set model.

Congrats man! One of the best thread I read on TRF. Enjoy and wear your watch in good health!

[rolexnyc718]

Congrats!

For the folks who are on the “list” why not go grey while you’re waiting and if it ever comes in, then you can sell the other. Understand some folks dont have 30k to spend for one, but for the ones who do and REALLY want it.