Zenith Daytona or Panna / Cream Dial Daytona

[russellg]

Hi Guys,

Need some advice which watch to buy.

Option 1: 116520 Panna/ Cream dial Daytona. BOX ONLY in very Good Condition. Y serial. The dial is off white , faint cream when compared to hour markers.

OR

Option 2: Zenith Daytona, with BOX N PAPERS. Needs a service n Crystal replacement. Costs 4,000€ more than the 116520 and needs polishing due to number of scratches

Love wearing both. Wonder which one will hold better value or grow with time.

What would you guys choose?

Thanks





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[Anton911]

Both great watches.I personally think the panna 116520 is the sweet spot,discontinued like the 16520 however more rare and sought after with the off white panna dial.Only a certain finite amount of these panna versions exist.
I have a p serial panna dial 116520,would never part with that watch.

You could get the 116520 serviced by Rolex which would then give total authentication and Rolex service papers.

[travisb]

Zenith



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[Anton911]

Originally Posted by travisb

Zenith



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Great pair of watches.
From the pics it looks like the sub dials on the black 16520 have also turned an off white.


Very nice.

[russellg]

Originally Posted by Anton911

Both great watches.I personally think the panna 116520 is the sweet spot,discontinued like the 16520 however more rare and sought after with the off white panna dial.Only a certain finite amount of these panna versions exist.
I have a p serial panna dial 116520,would never part with that watch.

You could get the 116520 serviced by Rolex which would then give total authentication and Rolex service papers.

Thanks. I love the Panna dial watch a lot.

Just that it doesn’t have papers. Also it’s nearly 20 years old and still the dial is just faint Cream. The dial is darker than the white on the hour markers. So was wondering if that’s it or will the colour still change with time.

Do you have a pic of your watch?


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[russellg]

Originally Posted by travisb

Zenith



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Those watches look Fab . Love the Zenith as Rolex will never ever do a watch with outside movement again


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[travisb]

Originally Posted by Anton911

Great pair of watches.
From the pics it looks like the sub dials on the black 16520 have also turned an off white.


Very nice.

Thank you! Yes, the black one has gained some nice patina on the sundials.


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[travisb]

Originally Posted by russellg

Those watches look Fab . Love the Zenith as Rolex will never ever do a watch with outside movement again


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I agree. These will never leave my collection.


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[KY..]

For me this is a no-brainer.
Zenith Daytona with box and papers all day everyday and twice on Sunday of course…
Almost like someone thinking 30 years ago if they should buy a Paul Newman Daytona with box and papers or a newer 1991 Zenith Daytona…

[russellg]

Originally Posted by KY..

For me this is a no-brainer.
Zenith Daytona with box and papers all day everyday and twice on Sunday of course…
Almost like someone thinking 30 years ago if they should buy a Paul Newman Daytona with box and papers or a newer 1991 Zenith Daytona…

Thanks, that an amazing point of view. Hard to compare the value as the Panna dials are rare too. But yes having the Full Set is a big plus


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[inadeje]

I would go with the zenith. However I’m biased since I have two.

[karleone]

I would buy the one in the best condition. If the zenith is unpolished with scratches I will keep it unpolished.

[indianmachine]

what dial color is the zenith? inverted 6 or straight?

If a black inverted 6 I'd definitely take the Zenith. Otherwise I'd probably also take the Zenith (but it's closer).

[russellg]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I would go with the zenith. However I’m biased since I have two.

Amazing watches and even amazing view


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[russellg]

Originally Posted by karleone

I would buy the one in the best condition. If the zenith is unpolished with scratches I will keep it unpolished.

The 116520 is in better condition. This is the watch




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[russellg]

Originally Posted by indianmachine

what dial color is the zenith? inverted 6 or straight?

If a black inverted 6 I'd definitely take the Zenith. Otherwise I'd probably also take the Zenith (but it's closer).

The Zenith is a white dial with a straight 6




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[1665fan]

I would probably go with the zenith, we’ll worn but I still wouldn’t polish it….looks like a good bath would help it for sure….that’s an honest watch id leave it….it should be a year 1999-2000 zenith the luminova dial…

[russellg]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

I would probably go with the zenith, we’ll worn but I still wouldn’t polish it….looks like a good bath would help it for sure….that’s an honest watch id leave it

These are the watches







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[inadeje]

Originally Posted by russellg

Amazing watches and even amazing view


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[1665fan]

16520 w papers for me…

[KY..]

No major dings or polish on a Zenith Daytona with honest wear and box and papers..
Easy choice for me..
If you don’t buy it please let me know how to contact the seller as I would be a customer..

Originally Posted by russellg

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by russellg

These are the watches







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Russ, I’m not a purist. As such I’d never wear that decrepit bashed up first watch. I know that we have polar opposite viewpoints on this forum about this, so I won’t poke the bear, however, that watch looks completely unpolished, which means that it’s a blank canvas on which RSC could work, bringing it back to brand new status with minimal invasive work (they will simply replace the bezel 200-300 bucks). Sometimes a disastrously looking unpolished piece is far better than a lovely shiny example that has had several polishes. It’s all logic really, the first polish will keep the tight lines of the case true, whereas several will void those lines, which on this forum is generalized under the term over polished.

[russellg]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Russ, I’m not a purist. As such I’d never wear that decrepit bashed up first watch. I know that we have polar opposite viewpoints on this forum about this, so I won’t poke the bear, however, that watch looks completely unpolished, which means that it’s a blank canvas on which RSC could work, bringing it back to brand new status with minimal invasive work (they will simply replace the bezel 200-300 bucks). Sometimes a disastrously looking unpolished piece is far better than a lovely shiny example that has had several polishes. It’s all logic really, the first polish will keep the tight lines of the case true, whereas several will void those lines, which on this forum is generalized under the term over polished.

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not a purist as well. Would defo get it polished a bit if I end up buying it. It needs to go to RSC anyways as it needs a service and crystal change.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by russellg

Appreciate the feedback. I'm not a purist as well. Would defo get it polished a bit if I end up buying it. It needs to go to RSC anyways as it needs a service and crystal change.

I have experience with the zenith and RSC.

Crown and pushers are all service items and will be replaced at no cost.
Crystal will be an extra charge but cheap
Bezel will be extra at around 200-300 usd (I’ve seen as low as 178 usd)
Polish is included in the service
I can’t see if the bracelet is worn, but if it is they’ll tell you and you choose to either polish and leave as is, or replace. They’re sold “per side” during service. I’ve had one service where only one side was replaced at my cost.

Hope that helps

[russellg]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I have experience with the zenith and RSC.

Crown and pushers are all service items and will be replaced at no cost.
Crystal will be an extra charge but cheap
Bezel will be extra at around 200-300 usd (I’ve seen as low as 178 usd)
Polish is included in the service
I can’t see if the bracelet is worn, but if it is they’ll tell you and you choose to either polish and leave as is, or replace. They’re sold “per side” during service. I’ve had one service where only one side was replaced at my cost.

Hope that helps

Thank you so much for the details about servicing at RSC. This is very Helpful.


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[1665fan]

Originally Posted by inadeje

I have experience with the zenith and RSC.

Crown and pushers are all service items and will be replaced at no cost.
Crystal will be an extra charge but cheap
Bezel will be extra at around 200-300 usd (I’ve seen as low as 178 usd)
Polish is included in the service
I can’t see if the bracelet is worn, but if it is they’ll tell you and you choose to either polish and leave as is, or replace. They’re sold “per side” during service. I’ve had one service where only one side was replaced at my cost.

Hope that helps

A new bezel will be the newer version…..they do not have that bezel in stock anymore, you will get a 116520 bezel essentially…..

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

A new bezel will be the newer version…..they do not have that bezel in stock anymore, you will get a 116520 bezel essentially…..

Here’s a brand new bezel installed in 2021 by RSC. Let me know which discernible differences there are between it and the above OEM OP example.

Font? Distance marketing’s? Layout? Maybe units per hour slightly wider spaced?

My eyesight isn’t the best but I have analyzed side by side and cannot see differences.

[1665fan]

Distance in font….your bezel is like the cream 116520 and not like the 16520…..

[Chute]

I would probably go panna as I love the 116520 more.

If you send the 116520 to get serviced, ask not to polish case nor bracelet.
They will send it back with "papers" in your name.

If you go for the 16520, I can't blame you, B&P is a smart thing to have, but as to service, I would ask a watchmaker to remove the bezel and bracelet and then send just the case in for service, polish (or not) and a pay for a new bracelet and bezel. Then you'd have B&P plus papers in your name and original parts which would make the whole set worth more.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by 1665fan

Distance in font….your bezel is like the cream 116520 and not like the 16520…..

Thanks, I did include the eyesight disclaimer