Two really dumb questions about Daytona

[Apalachicola]

I'm somewhat mathematically and mechanically challenged, so this may be common sense to you...

I'm in the market for a new daily wear watch, and am considering a Daytona, but I don't understand it much. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube. Two reasons why it might be suitable for me:

I watch live bike races, as well as horse races, and sometimes time laps. I live on a street where races are frequent, and am a cyclist myself as well. Am I correct that the bezel isn't useful for calculating speed of laps that last over a minute? Cyclists always do, as do all but legendary horses.

Second, can I use this effectively as a stop watch? I use timers to cook, nearly daily, and like to count up rather than down. Explain it like I'm five: where will the hands be on the two chronograph dials after fifteen minutes, 90 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours?

Thank goodness for the anonymity of the internet. These questions are ones I'd be embarrassed to ask a dealer. Have a pleasant day.

[padi56]

Well that's the main function of the Daytona to time things and act as a stop watch.You press the top button to start the chrono function large second hand starts to time as a stop watch.Press the top button button again to stop it timing, the three mini sub dial registers on the main dial.The top two sub dials start recording the elapsed hours and minutes respectively press bottom stop the chronograph function press bottom button again to reset and stop the chronograph function.The third mini register sub-dial is not a part of the stopwatch function that constantly measures the seconds.

[travisb]

If possible, head into a dealer and have a look at one of their chronographs (assuming they don't have a Daytona). Take some time to play around with it and have them show you first hand how it works. I think it would be much easier to understand it this way.
All in all, sounds like the Daytona would be a useful choice for you.

[Cabaiguan]

I hate to say this because I really like the Daytona...but if you're actually intending to use the chronograph functions, the legibility of the Rolex isn't great. Take a look at the Speedmaster if you want a useful chronograph. JMHO.

[Submariner2015]

Originally Posted by Apalachicola

I'm somewhat mathematically and mechanically challenged, so this may be common sense to you...

I'm in the market for a new daily wear watch, and am considering a Daytona, but I don't understand it much. I watched a couple of videos on YouTube. Two reasons why it might be suitable for me:

I watch live bike races, as well as horse races, and sometimes time laps. I live on a street where races are frequent, and am a cyclist myself as well. Am I correct that the bezel isn't useful for calculating speed of laps that last over a minute? Cyclists always do, as do all but legendary horses.

Second, can I use this effectively as a stop watch? I use timers to cook, nearly daily, and like to count up rather than down. Explain it like I'm five: where will the hands be on the two chronograph dials after fifteen minutes, 90 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours?

Thank goodness for the anonymity of the internet. These questions are ones I'd be embarrassed to ask a dealer. Have a pleasant day.

TBH, I don't know anyone who owns a Daytona for the chrono or actually uses that function very often--if you want a Rolex and a daily wearer go with a sub or dj2 imo, get a stopwatch from the dollar store if you want a chrono

[zama]

The Daytona is an effective stop watch and while mine is not on my wrist it certainly gives you up to 12 hours from memory, although surely by then when it starts the next 12 hours you know you are already 12 hours in.

[Oyster99]

Originally Posted by Submariner2015

TBH, I don't know anyone who owns a Daytona for the chrono or actually uses that function very often--if you want a Rolex and a daily wearer go with a sub or dj2 imo, get a stopwatch from the dollar store if you want a chrono

He likes the daytona and needs a daily watch, also he can use the function.. So why not go for the daytona? Its perfect to daily just like a submariner or datejust for example.

[Submariner2015]

Originally Posted by Oyster99

He likes the daytona and needs a daily watch, also he can use the function.. So why not go for the daytona? Its perfect to daily just like a submariner or datejust for example.

Just my opinion as I stated...he can choose whichever path he wants

[watchwatcher]

Sounds like a good watch for you (heck it's a great watch)...but I wouldn't buy it without going to an AD and playing around with the functions and see if they work for you. As Peter said, it's really pretty simple.

As for dumb questions, don't be absurd. Any dealer would be happy to show you all the functions. If they wouldn't, you don't need to be buying a watch from them.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by watchwatcher

Sounds like a good watch for you (heck it's a great watch)...but I wouldn't buy it without going to an AD and playing around with the functions and see if they work for you. As Peter said, it's really pretty simple.

As for dumb questions, don't be absurd. Any dealer would be happy to show you all the functions. If they wouldn't, you don't need to be buying a watch from them.

Yes, Peter explained it but do go into a dealers and ask him to show you how it works, I'm sure if you dress up nice that day you will get royal treatment too and a glass of something.

[locutus49]

Daytona is a very effective stopwatch. It also looks good. The internal mechanism is tried and true.

[mjclark32]

You're better off with a stop watch for horse racing, trust me.

All the best!

[Brandon(phila)]

Yeah those tiny sub dials are very hard to read. Don't be fooled by the close up pics.

If you are hard on watches then not the best daily wearer, the bezel looks like hell when it's all scratched up.

If you are normal on your watches....occasional bump here and there, it could be a daily watch

[landroverking]

Originally Posted by Submariner2015

TBH, I don't know anyone who owns a Daytona for the chrono or actually uses that function very often--if you want a Rolex and a daily wearer go with a sub or dj2 imo, get a stopwatch from the dollar store if you want a chrono

I use a Daytona or other chronographs daily as a broadcaster.
You will see many talking heads/newsmen on TV wearing Daytonas.

It's not just for looks.

[Submariner2015]

Originally Posted by landroverking

I use a Daytona or other chronographs daily as a broadcaster.
You will see many talking heads/newsmen on TV wearing Daytonas.

It's not just for looks.

[liuk3]

What I want to know is has anyone actually ever used the bezel function of the Daytona or even know how to use it? It's just a bunch of gobbly gook to me.

[Tools]

Originally Posted by Apalachicola

I'm somewhat mathematically and mechanically challenged, so this may be common sense to you...

. . .

I watch live bike races, as well as horse races, and sometimes time laps. I live on a street where races are frequent, and am a cyclist myself as well. Am I correct that the bezel isn't useful for calculating speed of laps that last over a minute? Cyclists always do, as do all but legendary horses.

Second, can I use this effectively as a stop watch? I use timers to cook, nearly daily, and like to count up rather than down. Explain it like I'm five: where will the hands be on the two chronograph dials after fifteen minutes, 90 minutes, 8 hours, 16 hours?

. . .

Chances are the Dealer wouldn't have a clue..

A Daytona is a stopwatch, that's what it does.

The bezel has nothing to do with timing over a minute for anything.. It directly shows speed over a measured mile or units per hour. If you are measuring speed of something slow, like a bicycle, time over 1/4 mile and then divide the bezel reading by 4, etc.

I have a tutorial in the Omega Board.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=36345

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by Tools

Chances are the Dealer wouldn't have a clue..

A Daytona is a stopwatch, that's what it does.

The bezel has nothing to do with timing over a minute for anything.. It directly shows speed over a measured mile or units per hour.

I have a tutorial in the Omega Board.

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=36345

Thanks for the info. Very helpful. Now that I know how to use it, I wonder how many have actually used the bezel for its intended purpose?

[ratty]

Originally Posted by liuk3

What I want to know is has anyone actually ever used the bezel function of the Daytona or even know how to use it? It's just a bunch of gobbly gook to me.

I used to use the bezel to calibrate speedometers over a measured mile or kilometre.

I love Daytonas, I currently have three and I'm looking at two more, but I do not find them an easy watch to use for accurate measurement of speed. For a start the vehicle has to be travelling at at least 60 mph to effectively use the bezel. It would be better if the lowest graduation was lower, like it used to be! I do not see the point in the graduations going up so high. It would be more effective for me if they went down to about 30 and up to about 130, (although this might look a bit strange in reality!), but different people will use it for different reasons.

[liuk3]

Originally Posted by ratty

I used to use the bezel to calibrate speedometers over a measured mile or kilometre.

I love Daytonas, I currently have three and I'm looking at two more, but I do not find them an easy watch to use for accurate measurement of speed. For a start the vehicle has to be travelling at at least 60 mph to effectively use the bezel. It would be better if the lowest graduation was lower, like it used to be! I do not see the point in the graduations going up so high. It would be more effective for me if they went down to about 30 and up to about 130, (although this might look a bit strange in reality!), but different people will use it for different reasons.

Interesting. Thanks.

[Time Exposure]

Use the bezel to time a repetitive, identical procedure (that is completed in less than 60 seconds) from beginning to the beginning of the next.
If it takes 30 seconds to make one fusilli (pasta) then we'll have 120 in an hour, 60 in a half hour, etc.
A simple example you could have figured out in your head, but you get the idea.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by Submariner2015

TBH, I don't know anyone who owns a Daytona for the chrono or actually uses that function very often--if you want a Rolex and a daily wearer go with a sub or dj2 imo, get a stopwatch from the dollar store if you want a chrono

Well we need to meet or you need to go to a race track where lots of Daytonas being used for what they are made for

[KBM]

Originally Posted by tkerrmd

Well we need to meet or you need to go to a race track where lots of Daytonas being used for what they are made for

Great pics as usual, Tom.

[kwang]

I think the chrono function is useful on the Daytona, but agree with others that there are other brand's dial more easier to read.

[BLACKHORSE 6]

As stated by others, the Daytona is a stopwatch and it performs that function very well. While I'm not really into racing, I find myself using the chronograph function to time things frequently. Drive times, cooking times, preparing comments for a speaking engagement, timing my wife on how long it takes her to get ready for an evening out (only did that once as it got me in trouble).

Other chronographs may be a little easier to read, but I was always interested in the Daytona because of the movement (regarded as one of, if not the, best chronograph movements) and the overall quality and looks. I do have a Speedmaster that is a little easier to read, but I don't think that any chronograph can really be read at a glance. In the end, you're still looking at a small sub-dial and counting tiny hash marks. I have pretty good eyesight, so it's never been an issue for me to read my Daytona in good lighting.

Good luck, and be sure to post when you make your decision.

[AS1]

Totally fair question OP!

If legibility is the primary concern, then honestly a digital stopwatch will be the easiest. But how boring is that... go for the Daytona in my opinion and you will be one of the few people to use it for something like its intended purpose! Myself, I use my chrono to time naps.

[tkerrmd]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Great pics as usual, Tom.

[Apalachicola]

Whoah. Thanks for all the responses. I heard a mention or two of the Speedmaster, but I already have a couple of Omegas. In fact, I'm retiring my daily wear Seamaster to beater status, and have decided to stop replacing parts for cosmetic reasons when serviced. My area (Colorado) is trenchantly informal: I live downtown and honestly believe I've gone over a calendar year without seeing a tie and jacket. I want something sporty or quirky without yellow or red gold, and not a dive watch. No fluted bezel, either, as it strikes me as a little too formal. I've tried on the blue Milgauss and DJIIs, but for some reason didn't ever put on a Daytona. Rest assured, I will put it through the paces at the AD.

(For what it's worth, I'm also going to get a Tudor Heritage Ranger. I do a lot of travel in the third world, and wouldn't feel all that comfortable wearing an iconic Rolex in some of the places I go.)

Ratty: Perhaps Rolex should design a custom bezel and movement for those of use who are really slow. I'd like to able to track my naps per day, beers per hour, etc. There just aren't a lot of activities I engage in with more than 60 repetitions per hour. ;)

Thanks for the responses. Sorry for the rambling. However, I bet most of you have experienced something similar when choosing watches.

[Old Expat Beast]

Originally Posted by Apalachicola

Whoah. Thanks for all the responses. I heard a mention or two of the Speedmaster, but I already have a couple of Omegas. In fact, I'm retiring my daily wear Seamaster to beater status, and have decided to stop replacing parts for cosmetic reasons when serviced. My area (Colorado) is trenchantly informal: I live downtown and honestly believe I've gone over a calendar year without seeing a tie and jacket. I want something sporty or quirky without yellow or red gold, and not a dive watch. No fluted bezel, either, as it strikes me as a little too formal. I've tried on the blue Milgauss and DJIIs, but for some reason didn't ever put on a Daytona. Rest assured, I will put it through the paces at the AD.

(For what it's worth, I'm also going to get a Tudor Heritage Ranger. I do a lot of travel in the third world, and wouldn't feel all that comfortable wearing an iconic Rolex in some of the places I go.)

Ratty: Perhaps Rolex should design a custom bezel and movement for those of use who are really slow. I'd like to able to track my naps per day, beers per hour, etc. There just aren't a lot of activities I engage in with more than 60 repetitions per hour. ;)

Thanks for the responses. Sorry for the rambling. However, I bet most of you have experienced something similar when choosing watches.

If you're getting a Tudor Ranger, and travel a lot, maybe also consider a Tudor Chrono, which uses the rotating bezel to track a second timezone. That might suit your needs overseas, too. You can still use it as a stopwatch, but with no tachymetre, and it has a date, too. It's less than 1/3 of the price of a Daytona, and is the most functionally versatile watch currently offered by Rolex or Tudor (except for the Iconaut).