HIGH GEAR

01 Feb 2001

Rolex Daytona Review

by theVooner

Having been to Japan over Christmas, I noticed that the Japanese were still obsessed with the Rolex Daytona. There are not only books dedicated to this fine watch, but also monthly magazines (dedicated to Rolex in general, but the Daytona is always the main feature). How many times can you photograph the same watch? I thought we'd investigate if the watch lives up to all the hype.

First let me say one thing about watches. There isn't any other "accessory" that a person can wear that is more noticed than their watch. I cannot stress the importance of having at least one good watch. It's especially true for men, who do not (normally) own/wear the jewelry (diamond earrings, pendants, rings, bracelets, etc.) that women do. Living in Asia, the measure of a man's stature is often determined by his watch. In typical Asian "gold-digging" style, women here seem to be trained to monetize men. Women look for certain things: the type of car, the kind of clothes, the color of the credit card, but normally before a woman has a chance to size any of these things, they check the type of watch. Women here can smell money a mile away, and they'll know the difference between this year's Cartier collection, and last year's limited edition Patek. First impressions are critical. Men do it to each other; woman even more so. These days, you can look as sharp in Armani jeans as you do in Gap. So how do you differentiate the elite geeks from the wannabes? Well, it's the watch. That's one of the first things that gets looked at. Go to shake a hand, check their watch. Ask for the time, check the watch. The tricks are all there. Was that a Franck Muller, Breguet, Rolex? Watches today are the status symbol of the elite geeks - high gear for the modern man. Don't get me wrong, a good G-shock/Baby-G is also an important item to own (but there's a difference between a US$19.99 version and the 2000 Limited Edition Lover's Collection).

The Rolex Daytona is probably the most easily recognized and highly sought after watch. The difficulty in finding one adds to its status. I started looking for a Daytona in 1994. At that time, I managed to find only one place in Hong Kong that had the watch, but the shop was rude and the markup excessive, so I passed it up. What a mistake that would prove to be because it would take me nearly 3 more years before I would eventually get my hands on another one. I searched the globe looking for Daytonas. If you could find one, they were usually so marked up that you just couldn't buy it. So finally, one day in 1997, I was down in Singapore on business and I went into a watch shop and they had it. Not only did they have a Daytona, they had it in both the black and the white face. I sat there for nearly an hour, eyeing both pieces. The shop must have gotten tired of me but I kept looking at each one. In the end, I chose the white face Daytona because that's the classic look but more importantly, I didn't choose the black face because the "rings" around the different dials appeared somewhat gold in color, and I didn't like that. The white face is very "black and white". I eventually walked away with a white face Daytona, for what turned out to be an amazing price.

Form

The Daytona is a beautiful watch. As the only chronograph in the Rolex line-up, the Daytona is striking. It was the largest watch I had ever bought (I have since bought a Panerai Luminor which is much larger, wider, and heavier). I was initially worried it would look too big on my hand, but it turned out to be a good fit. The clasp on the band securely fits the Rolex on your wrist. While I have heard of someone losing a Rolex while water-skiing (they claim the band broke), I have never known or heard of any other problem. The watch is extremely durable. As you can see from the wear, I've put my watch through a lot, and it still looks as good as ever. They will definitely outlive us. It's just a matter of personal preference between the white and the black face. Rolex also just introduced the SS2000 Daytona, a newer, updated version. While I think they are not as nice as previous models, it's still a beautiful watch. Once you put one on your wrist, you'll want one.

Function

A watch is a watch -- it just tells time. The Daytona is no exception. It does not tell time better, it just tells the time. There is no date function on the watch, which some people have complained about, but because I wear several different watches, this actually is an advantage because I don't have to keep resetting the date every time I change the watch. The Daytona is an automatic, which means it doesn't have batteries but "charges" as you wear the watch. Automatics are supposed to be more accurate, but because they require you to continue to wear the watch or else it will stop, changing different watches as I do often proves problematic. The "stopwatch" function is usable, but is there more for appearance than actual function. Rolex has service centers all over the world, and while there are lots of "charges", they do a very good job of servicing, cleaning, and even polishing your Rolex. You should service the watch every 5 to 10 years depending on how often you wear it.

Factor

I love the Daytona, in case you didn't already guess. Everyone obsesses about the watch, and the hype, in Japan for example, is understood. When you get your hands on one, I think you'll understand why I, and so many others have fallen in love with this watch. This is definitely what high gear is about. I think it's a bit crazy the extent of the markup in some places; for example in Tokyo, I found a brand-new Daytona that was quoted by a department store at nearly three times the official list price. Still, as my friend Cliff would say: "Buy it, buy two if you can." Yup, if you can get your hands on one of the most ESSENTIAL pieces of high gear, get it. Finding one will be your biggest challenge. BTW, if you think a fake one will do just as nicely, think again - we know the difference, and yes, we can always tell.

Thanks Mr. Vooner!

All these years I've been stuffing socks down my pants to no avail only to realize now I just have to get a nice watch to attract girls! I don't think I'll be able to afford a Relects in this lifetime but I sure hope I can find someone special who will appreciate a fine watch when they see it!

PS. I know what you mean about a fake one. I use to wear a fake Dunghill watch and the only girls who paid me any attention were these fake girls with fake Pr-ada bags!

This is a joke right?

As someone who has 45 watches, not one over $120.00 I have to hope this article is really a big joke. Watches over $120. Bags over $80. Perfume over $40. Shoes over $100. Dresses over $200. T-Shirts over $20. Sunglasses over $50. These are things that make it easy to understand where the saying "a fool and his money are soon parted" comes from.

My goodness gracious greggman!

Don't u know u'll face exile and abandonment from the editorial axe of danchan if you were to reveal your true opinion on danchan.com? The Vooner is a god-send for generating hits! So please if you will, only words of worship for him! ^_*

Nothing's been axed yet...

...and opinions will never be axed as long as they are revelant. But the time to moderate away some of the detritus is coming.

No Joke!

I wrote this with a bit of "tongue in cheek" in mind, but more or else, its the truth, though I have added in some sarcasm.

Let's put things in perspective for a moment. Using your example, if you have 45 watches at lets say an average 100 bucks each, that's 4500 dollars or more than the list price of the Daytona. So it's actually not that expensive. Still, I know where you are coming from in your comment. But here's my take.

There are two issues here:

1) I am a firm believer that a "good" watch is a valuable and worthy investment. They will likely outlive us and they are beautiful things to admire. Just as you would choose a certain car over another, the same rules apply to watches. You generally tend to own only one car, but if you could only own one watch, would you really choose just a Swatch? I think there are lots of options out there and I like variety too. In Asia (and this is where my sarcasm comes in), we get judged by appearances very quickly, and one of those quick, superficial things is to look at a certain persons watch. You should see the newspapers here -- everyday they identify some celebrity/person, and say how much each item on them cost. The watch is the most easily identifiable. So to sum up, have all the Swatches you want, but you should also have maybe just one nice watch to wear to your next interview, date, wedding, banquet. If I had to pick just one, the Daytona would be at the top or near the top of the list.

2) Ok, now on to the next relevant factor MONEY. The point of theVooner's reviews (and to some extent, High Gear) is too look at things that are within grasp and somewhat cool to own. Money is almost a secondary factor. In fact, I try to keep the two things separate. But hey, it's always there. Even one of our recommendations is "money to burn". But that's the difference! My definition of "money to burn" is not the same as yours or anyone elses. Let's say you're making 30,000 a year and you buy a 3 dollar t-shirt; if you're making 300,000 a year and buy a 30 dollar t-shirt, RELATIVELY speaking, wouldn't that be the same. Now let's say you're making 3 million or 30 million a year. Now do you care? Probably not, you just want the coolest, best t-shirt. That's what I'm trying to say. Ok, none of us are making 3 million a year (not yet anyway ;P), but if you wanted to buy a MD, camera, DVD, PDA, and yes, even a watch, these are my thoughts.

I will admit, that I am an "over-shopper" and I tend to buy a lot of stuff. I do my share to support the economy and I do burn plenty of cash. But I DO understand and know the value of money. If something sucks, it doesn't matter whether you paid 5 or 5000 dollars, it still sucks. There are some things which are "crazy" outrageous, even for me. Try the cost of owning property in Hong Kong, birds nest soup, Caviar, a bottle of Le Pin, anything Hermes, etc.

"A fool and his money are soon parted" only applies if you take "enough" of a person's money, so that it matters to that person. Because we all place different "values" of our own money, this is highly subjective. If you sold Bill Gates a piece of rock for 10 million, most people would say he was a fool. However, Bill Gates probably wouldn't care because he's got billions! Was he a fool? Maybe to you and some other people, but what if he had a machine that could turn the very rock you sold him into a perfect blue diamond.

The things I buy are "valued" by the cost of the item. If it's too much, I don't buy it or I buy something else. But most of time, as long as I don't think its too crazy, I'll probably buy it. Since I'm spending my dough, hey why not review it so others around the world can decide for themselves if its worth their money!

I get it it's just frustrating

I don't buy a $1000 watch because for the same price I could by 10 to 20 other watches and have a varity to pick from. A blue one to match certain clothes, a red one to match different clothes, a funny one to wear when I'm in the mode for that etc. Yea, you could look at 45 watches as one or two nice watches. I look at it as one watch every 2 or 3 months for 10 years instead of one watch that I'm stuck with my whole life even if it goes out of style or no longer matches my clothes. I don't know about you but I couldn't where the same shirt, jacket, shoes, hat, tie etc for 10 years in a row let along 50 or 70 why would a watch be different?

I'm mostly wining because you're mostly right and it's frustrating. I have to keep telling myself that I'm not interested in a woman that would judge me on the price of my watch, shoes, car etc and it's true but I supposed if I did all that I'd have more girlfriends and that's the frustrating part.

There is a part of me that doesn't get it though. $800 for a Prada bag or a Gucci bag that was clearly made for under $10 by some laborer in a warehouse somewhere.

The same for the Rolex. I'm sure more work went into the Rolex than the Swatch but I'd still bet it's not costing them more than $30 bucks a watch to make. For example I find it very hard to believe that a Rolex cost more the make than a VCR, DVD player, PS2, etc.

Of course people are free to spend their money anyway they want. More power to them. The problem I have is them trying to convince me that that thing was actually worth the money.

It's thinking like that that makes inner city people kill for sneakers and Japanese teens become prostitutes to get their fashion expenses.

As for the rich vs not rich person. The richer I get the easier it is to understand it (not that I'm rich yet). My friend Margaret tried to covince me that if I was rich I'd pay for 1st class on my flights, at the time $6K to London. I thought she was crazy. Not only crazy but super irresponsible. My sister could support her and her son for 6 months on $6K and yet Margaret was perfectly willing to throw way that amount of money if she had it to throw away. Even Bill Gates until recently was not willing to do that. I think he upgraded to business class from coach about 4 years ago.

On the otherhand as I do get more money I find it easier to for example, pay for a maid, pay to have my clothes washed and pay for dinners that cost over $40.

I still find it hard though to pay for $300 Oakley Sunglasses that I know cost less than $3 to make and just through marketing they manage to get people to think they are worth $300 even if I think they look way cool.

I guess if I bought a Rolex or similar I'd be buying it knowing full well that I'm paying $XXXX for a watch that cost $XX and I'm only doing it because lots of people have been snowed by the hype and believe the claimed worth and they'll open doors for me that wouldn't otherwise be open because they see me wearing the watch.

Note: I'm not upset or pissed off and I'm not trying to piss off anybody else but more a more funny way of saying this didn't pop into my head.

Where's the Value?

I know where you are coming from and your points are all very valid.

From someone who has half a dozen "nice" watches (for all those occasions you mentioned), I know it's all sounds a bit crazy. But there is one more point that I wanted to add. The value of a good watch should APPRECIATE in time. Already, my Daytona is worth 30-50% more now (even though its used) than what I paid for it. Because there is a new version, it's worth even more. I know that's a rather minor point, but I would treat my watch as an investment that does have future value. I think in the end, many of my pieces will be worth as much if not much more than what I paid for them. Kind of like an antique or a work of art. If you do get bored of it, you can sell it off.

Also, there is a huge scarcity value with some of these items. The value you ultimately put on something is very personal. Instead of thinking that you are paying XXXX for something that cost XX, just think that it is likely to be worth XXXXX. Maybe then it will be a "wiser" purchase decision.

I'm with you though on the other stuff. But, I can't argue with your point because I'm guilty of committing a lot of these purchases. (I admit that I have 3 Oakley's.) Some things are over hyped ... why does a Hermes belt cost over $500? That belt will have ZERO value to anyone else, especially used. So why do it? I don't know, and I wish I could answer you, but I'm probably the worse one to comment because I'm as likely as I am unlikely to go and buy it. Don't ask.

Valuation

That's a good point. If the value goes up then of course there's a good argument to be had that it's worth the money over and above just thinking it's cool.

That's partly what made it easier to buy a BMW. They are fun cars but orignally I was going to get a $26K car and I ended up getting a $36K car but some web calculator claimed that if I kept it for 5 years or more it was actually cheaper to own than the $22K car because of it's resale value.

I supposed that "thinking it's cool" is another issue. I don't personally find most expensive watches to be good looking. There are lots of watches around $120 to $180 that I personally like much better. Even more so for Gucci bags. I think they are damn ugly in fact.

On the otherhand I do like the Oakley's and I did intend to buy them last June when I got my bonus but then I was able to talk myself out of them (fortunately for me since I quit like 4 weeks after I got that bonus)

YAWN~~~~~~

If the two of you were on Survivor, it'll be a hell of a boring show with you guys kissing and making up all the time.

Come on guys, have some conviction!

Vooner, you're a capitalistic snob who degrades women in hope to quantify your own submissive cowardness under the all mighty dollar.

Greggman, quantity does not equal to quality. Shopping cheap and bulk does not justify wasting money either. Nobody in their right mind will have the need for 45 damn watches.

Kill! Kill! Kill! I wanna see some blood!

I didn't get any tongue with that makeup kiss :-(

Your right! I shouldn't have 45 watches or 800 CDs or 250 movies or 4 VCRs, 2 DVD players, 2 portable MD players, 4 boomboxes, 3 TVs, 3 computers, 100+ legit pieces of commercial software, 10+ video game machines, 150+ video games, 80+ stuffed animals, 4 digital still cameras, 2 video cameras, and and and and and.

Can I have a kiss now?

I forgot to add 5 (or is it 6) pairs of wireless headphones

Fortunately they are all compatible so if it's 2am me and 4 friends can all watch a movie and not wake the neighbors.

What Value?

How do you start comparing? About two years ago I shopped all my JPOP CDs from asiacd.com and paid about $15 FREE shipping for brand new CDs two to three weeks after release in Japan - for LEGIT non-copy CDs.

So I am sure no one would pay Yen3000 for a CD, even though the exact CD was sold online for less - much lesser than the Yaohan (Japanese dept. store in the US, charging $32/cd)

But the truth is people would still pay that same amount for 1, 5 or even 10 CDs, simply because that is the local market price.

If there is a supply for soiled panties, there is a demand of sick perverted OJISANs who would buy them all and sniff away all day long in their Toyota President...

I say let this one end once and for all... if there is someone selling a 100" flat screen TV in AKIHABARA for US$20,000 someone (maybe Vooner) would be the first to be in line... some can afford it and some can't, so be it. Maybe I would spend that money to buy 15 sets of 21" TVs all around my house. That does not make me any crazier than the one who bought the 100" TV.

Okay my drunken rant is over. Anyone know what the resale value for soiled Lewis boxer shorts are in Tokyo? I might as well go try to sell them while walking around Kabuki-Cho at 3am tonight... hehe

A Better Choice

Sir,
You obviously know little about watches. It would seem that you regard a watch simply as a penis extension. Every “wannabe” has a Rolex and they say a lot (nothing positive) about the wearer. Yes, admittedly the Daytona has a long waiting list but for no good reason. Like all Rolex’s it is a jewelry watch and the movement, whilst better than other Rolexs admittedly, is an automatic winding ETA 2892-A2. This is rugged and reliable, yes, but for this price it is not justified. It is the same movement found in for instance the Ulysse Nardin Marine chronograph, a better constructed and more elegant sports watch by far and not nearly as expensive as the Daytona (I’ve had one for a while). Rolex simply does not display the date at 5 o’clock, as Rolexs’ only EVER have the date at 3 o’clock and the ETA 2892-A2’s is unfortunately, for Rolex, at the 5 o’clock position.
If you are prepared to spend this sort of cash go for a Breguet Type XX in steel on a bracelet, I’ve got one and they are highly recommended. It is a more discerning choice, true it won’t attract as many ladies, but if you are interested in the sort of bimbo that goes for a Rolex then you are quite frankly welcome to them. Otherwise opt for a Patek Nautilus Jumbo (no chrono functions but a reliable and well constructed piece – and from experience from having just purchased one also accurate with a pretty decent movement). NB the Type XX is also available in an alarm version, although most don’t know this, called the memo-reveil.

Lots of choices

I agree with you, the Breguet is a beautiful watch. I have a Limited Edition Aeronavale. I disagree though that it does not get as much attention as say the Daytona. With the Blue/Purple face, it actually gets MORE attention. Perhaps you are hanging out in the wrong places.

The movement though in a Daytona has never been my arguement for why you would want to buy the watch. Sure, it's a Swatch movement (ETA) but hey, who cares (they own Breguet as well). If you want movements, then buy a Patek or Lange. Perhaps you can justify their prices.

My arguement above remains, if you can buy one at a fair price (close to retail) then you've got an purchase. I agree that the mark-up today is unjustified. And if you can't find one today at a "reasonable" price, I would be just as bitter. But, if you came across one though, at retail price, you are more likely than less likely to jump at the chance to own one.

I tried not to do a comparison review above because the Daytona is a standalone. Besides, I've got so many watches, which one is a fair comparable? I deliberately wrote the review with hints of sarcasm because I too share your disbelief that such a rather simple watch has generated such an "air" about it. But until you actually OWN one, then you probably won't understand what all the hype is about.

The best choice...

I'm filling up my piggy bank for a 5 pound diamond encrusted platinum belt buckle. I like watches and all, but I would like the ladies to focus their attention other than my wrist.

Lol

UN better, lol too funny.

Get real andrew, that watch is just ugly, along with the breguet...furthermore I would take a durable sports watch over an elegant one anyday.

but that is just my opinion

didn't notice the date

oops...guess no one will be reading this :)

I just read the whole thread...

I agree with you Mathew.

One more point... Andrew says:

"Sir,
You obviously know little about watches."

And then goes on to state that the Daytona has an ETA 2892-A2 movement.

It would be funny if it wasn't sad.

It's all about the watch! Period!!!

For the record every word that you wrote regarding the Daytona and the gold digging women is a FACT!!! And don't let anyone tell you otherwise! I live in Los Angeles and I spend alot of time in Beverly Hills. It's all about the watch period! I own a Panerai myself. People actually come up to me and ask me if that really is a Panerai and how in the world did I get and who the heck am I. Not a day goes buy that somebody says, and I quote " Oh my god! What kind of watch is that?" Panerai is probably the hottest watch right now. But, if your wearing a Daytona black face or white face you are level above the rest. Nobody is in your league! I actually have girlfriends who call me from other states when they are traveling to let me know that they met someone who is wearing my watch. My friend just got back from the middle and she was spending time with all the Kings and Prince's out there. She said, anybody who is a somebody is wearing Panerai. It's all about the watch on your wrist these days. If I see a beautiful women and she is with a guy, I'm not even looking at her. I staring at his wrist!

PaneraiKid

The economics of watches

Sir
Twelve years ago I was considering purchasing a Rolex. An Explorer II for $2,300. However, altough the price was well within my reach, I felt very financially astute when I settled for a nice Seiko around $ 500. Since then I have had to replace that watch, repair and clean several others in the same price range, and I still want a Rolex. So, 12 years and five watches later, I am out at least $2,300. I have timepieces rattling around in a drawer that not even a low-rent pawn shop would give me twenty dollars for. Financially astute? Yeah right!

So now I am getting the Daytona. Yes, I will pay the inflated way over retail price. And twelve years from now I will still have a quality time-piece, still worth about what I paid - or more, and not a hunk of worthless scrap metal taking up space in a drawer.

Is it ETA powered. Well, until recently the movement was the famous Zenith caliber El-Primero, now it is a Rolex developed movement. ETA based? Perhaps, but modified beyond recognition. Just an overpriced Swatch? - Is the Bentley Continental R just an overpriced Volkswagen Beetle?
- Volkswagen does after all own Bentley.

As for the female attraction factor - Hey, just a bonus. Especially since I travel to Scandinavia frequently, where the women I meet don't care wether I keep track of time with an instrument that vibrates 64,000 times per second - or by the position of the sun.
(Are the scandinavian women as friendly and beatiful as rumored...? Does it rain in Seattle?)

Happy time-keeping,
Sincerely

Fenris

The Power of a Daytona

Gentleman,

The Daytona is not only a woman magnet, it's also one that attracts men. If you do business in Asia or pretty much anywhere else, and you are wearing a Daytona, you will affirm your status to your clients and competition. By wearing a Daytona, you will convey to the world that you are established financially, cultured, and stylish. True, you will attract gold-diggers, but you will also get the respect of men. For a chunck of gold, it sure does convey lots of mystic and "power". So if you are a business, its a good tool to have.

Phi N.

It's about style

Rolex doesn't use ETA movements (they make all of their own movements in-house now), nor can all Rolexes be considered jewellery watches. All sports Rolexes in stainless steel should be considered 'tool' watches, designed for a specific purpose or profession.

As for the price... When you're talking about luxury goods like these (or sports cars, racing boats, etc.), the last consideration when determining a price is the cost of producing them. Of course, it makes no sense to sell a product for a price that won't cover the cost (direct and indirect) of its production. The idea, however, is that you set your price according to your target market. Since Rolex sells every single watch they produce, they have no incentive to lower prices. Besides, this is a Rolex chrono and the name carries a premium, as well as the fashion factor that chronos represent.

If you're the kind of person who thinks "why should I pay thousands for a watch when I can get a perfectly good Swatch for less than a hundred bucks" then you're not in the target market. Just like people who believe cars costing more than £10,000 are just silly will not be in Aston Martin's target market.

I'm not really a Rolex fan, I prefer Lange & Soehne watches. The only Rolex I like is the Daytona and the only chronograph I prefer to it is the Lange Datograph, although the Patek 5070 isn't too bad either. However, they cost several times more than a Daytona so are in a different league. I still think the Daytona is marvellous in its timeless design and unrivalled durability. This is probably why it gets the most wrist-time in my collection - the darned thing is built like a tank! Plus, it's an automatic unlike the Langes or the Patek, so doesn't require manual winding.

It's not about being a snob or attracting girls. It's about appreciating beautiful design. I live in England where nobody could care less about what you wear on your wrist. Who cares about women who only fancy you because of your watch/car/clothes anyway? Could they be more shallow?

Hey Tony

I didn't even notice that he was insisting that the Daytona was ETA powered, I thought he was referring to his UN (Since the UN is a modified 2892)...if he is referring to the Daytona then he needs to read up a little more.

Here is a personal experience, my father got a new sub in 75 from my mother as a gift, she paid about $700 for it, well he went to a jeweler to see how much it was worth in 2000 (they were divorced), it was appraised at just over $2,000 however personally he could have sold it for more. Sure if he invested the money he might have made more, but he got to wear a quality watch and it became worth more over the years...he still has the watch and it still looks great.

Don't know if anyone is still following this but great reading all of the responses.

I May Be Wrong...

Hi guys,
I just read this entire thread for what it's worth, but is really is great reading. I too am a Daytona fan. Ever since James Bond 9Sean) wore the first submariner in Dr. No, I have been waiting for Rolex to put out a chronograph. Many years later they did and I have been wanting one and batteling myself between pride and price since.

After all this, I have looked at detail on many Daytonas, but I have never seen one with the second hand on the left side of the face. All i've seen have the second hand at the bottom center.

Vooner, I may be wrong, or this model may be earlier than those I've seen, but if I'm right, you either have a very rare one-of-a-kind Rolex, or....

Well a watch is always worth what you want it to be worth right?

I May Be Wrong...

Hi guys,
I just read this entire thread for what it's worth, but is really is great reading. I too am a Daytona fan. Ever since James Bond 9Sean) wore the first submariner in Dr. No, I have been waiting for Rolex to put out a chronograph. Many years later they did and I have been wanting one and batteling myself between pride and price since.

After all this, I have looked at detail on many Daytonas, but I have never seen one with the second hand on the left side of the face. All i've seen have the second hand at the bottom center.

Vooner, I may be wrong, or this model may be earlier than those I've seen, but if I'm right, you either have a very rare one-of-a-kind Rolex, or....

Well a watch is always worth what you want it to be worth right?

Wrong Again!

I stand corrected...or as the case may be, I have proven myself wrong. Upon reviewing some notes on the Daytona, I found that the chronos configurations varied many times. The current configuration is now mostly known as the "Paul Neuman" model and beginning in the early 1970's had the second hand just where yours is.

Different is always better!

Looking to purchase a Daytona, but which one to get?

Hey theVooner, I thoroughly enjoyed reading your Daytona review but moreso the interesting and very funny comments of several members. Everyone has made valid points.

Anyway, I was about to buy a brand new Cartier Roadster Chronograph, but then thought that if I were to spend that amount of money, it should be on the most popular, best watch investment in the market. So it had to be a Rolex. I visited an upscale watch boutique and was told that the Daytona is the most sought after Rolex. And this was affirmed after reading your article.

So now my dilemma: Which Rolex to buy - the stainless steel, black dial or the white gold, black dial with black alligator leather straps? I'd appreciate comments from anyone and/or everyone.

The Same

Hi all

I own an authentic Rolex Submariner. I also own a fake one bought in China for $20. They are both automatic. They both keep perfect time. They look exactly the same. I am a watch aficionado and I'm telling you, there's no difference as far as appearance and, so far, functionality. So, if you're contemplating buying a $3,000 watch, why don't you take a trip to Shanghai, buy a fake, get a trip to China, and save money at the same time. Just looking out for you guys...

Fake Daytona in Article

It's a good fake, but it's a fake. I'm even impressed with the screw-on crown- it has the three little dots which indicate the Triplock seal.

The second hand register and the hours register are improperly switched. The second hand register (which does not perform chronograph function but instead acts as the second hand) should be located on the bottom rather than on the left.

Incidentally, I agree with most of the things written in the article.

Fake Daytona in Article

The registers are also too low on the face. Nasty.

I like such "experts"..

Nikko and Gatsoman you guys just made me laugh...

Fake Daytona. :)

I think that when you post such opinion trying to act as an expert you should know a bit about the thing you write about. Do you anything about different movement used in Daytonas over many years of production? It was even mentioned in some other comment earlier here.

Well i have to tell you that Vooner's Daytona is simply the one with Zenith El Primero movement, that's why seconds are indicated on the dial located on 9 o'clock position. In new Daytonas fitted with Rolex in-house movments it was relocated and now they are indicated at 6 o'clock positioned dial.

Screw down crown surprised you? You can get such crown in a japanese replica for around $100.

I am 100% sure the watch pictured is a real thing.

The closest thing to original are Daytona Replicas Based on Valjoux 7750 movements but there is a problem with small dials allignment. They are to close to the edge of the watch dial. But this is the other story.

I like such "experts"..

Nikko and Gatsoman you guys just made me laugh...

Fake Daytona. :)

I think that when you post such opinion trying to act as an expert you should know a bit about the thing you write about. Do you anything about different movement used in Daytonas over many years of production? It was even mentioned in some other comment earlier here.

Well i have to tell you that Vooner's Daytona is simply the one with Zenith El Primero movement, that's why seconds are indicated on the dial located on 9 o'clock position. In new Daytonas fitted with Rolex in-house movments it was relocated and now they are indicated at 6 o'clock positioned dial.

Screw down crown surprised you? You can get such crown in a japanese replica for around $100.

I am 100% sure the watch pictured is a real thing.

The closest thing to original are Daytona Replicas Based on Valjoux 7750 movements but there is a problem with small dials allignment. They are to close to the edge of the watch dial. But this is the other story.

What Are You Paying for?

When you buy a Rolex you are paying for the marketing they did to make sure that chicks become interested in you upon seeing one on your wrist. The watch itself isn't worth much. If Rolex had put real value in their watch we would be seeing so many replicas out there.

Good point

My friend Rich has had many a bunk-up on the strength of his fake Daytona - even had a couple of them stolen!

Lucky for him they weren't replicas of the Zenith El Primero movement or the girls probably wouldn't have bothered!!!

How do you value the Daytona?

I have a little bit of a dilemma. First, I don't know EXACTLY what year Daytona watch I have. It's a mechanical movement, mid-late 70's Cosmograph, but I have no idea what year. I've seen a watch that looks just about the same being circa-1977, but I'm not sure. It looks just like this watch, but without the black outline around the face.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ROLEX-Oyster-COSMOGRAPH-DAYTONA-Manual-SSteel-MENS_W0QQitemZ5030975057QQcategoryZ31387QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's the background. The watch was given to my late father probably 20 some years ago by a friend of his. How this friend came upon the watch, we never figured out, but, it's a legitimate Rolex Daytona (I had two jewlers ready to slice my throat for it). Anyway, my father never wore the watch and when he passed away, the watch was given to me (about 11 years ago when I was 12).

I am not a watch wearer, nor a collector. Being a recent college grad who is in no place to influence international millionaires and, more in a position to get myself robbed for wearing such a watch, I have kicked the idea around of selling it, but I have no idea what it's worth.

Any of you have some ideas of what it's worth, where I can get it appraised (without the BS that a jewlery store will provide), or where I might be able to sell it?

Serial #'s will give the age of the watch

ROLEX

Try a reputable jeweler for an appraisal.

Serial Numbers by Date of Manufacture.

Serial # ........................Date
21691 .............................1927
23969 .............................1928
24747 .............................1928
28290 .............................1930
29312 .............................1932
29933 .............................1933
30823 .............................1934
35365 .............................1935
37596 .............................1936
40920 .............................1937
43739 .............................1938
71224 .............................1939
99775 .............................194106047 ...........................1941
143509 ...........................1942
230878 ...........................1943
269561 ...........................1944
302459 ...........................1945
387216 ...........................1946
529163 ...........................1947
628840 ...........................1948
710776 ...........................1951
840396 ...........................1952
929426 ......................IV 1953
930879 .........................I 1953
931080 ........................II 1953
937170 .........................I 1954
941699 .........................I 1953
952892 .........................I 1954
955466 ......................IV 1953
964789 ......................IV 1953
973697 ......................IV 1953
973930 ......................III 1953
116578 ......................IV 1953
132562 .......................III 1953
139400 .........................I 1956
139477 .........................I 1956
282632 .......................III 1955
321884 ......................IV 1957
345500 ........................II 1957
360171 .........................I 1958
383893 .........................I 1958
362214 .........................I 1958
385893 ........................II 1958
391528 .......................III 1958
426074 ......................IV 1958
412128 ......................IV 1958
693808 ........................II 1960
763663 ........................II 1962
764754 .........................I 1962
869868 ......................IV 1962
985015 .........................I 1964
1041729 ......................II 1964
1182076 .....................III 1964
1259699 ......................II 1965
1345681 ....................IV 1965
1871000 .........................1966
1994956 .....................III 1966
2163900 .........................1967
2426800 .........................1968
2555384 ......................II 1970
2689700 .........................1969
2952600 .........................1970
3215500 .........................1971
3478400 .........................1972
3741300 .........................1973
4004200 .........................1974
4267100 .........................1975
4538000 .........................1976
5008000 .........................1977
5482000 .........................1978
5958000 .........................1979
6434000 .........................1980
6910000 .........................1981
7386000 .........................1982
7862000 .........................1983
8338000 .........................1984
8614000 .........................1985
9290000 .........................1986
9766000 .........................1987
9999999 ....................1987 1/2
R000001 ....................1987 1/2
R999999 .........................1988
L000001 .........................1989
L999999 ....................1990 1/2
E000001 ....................1990 1/2
E999999 ....................1991 1/2
X000001 ....................1991 1/2
N000001 ..................Nov 1991
C000001 .........................1992
S000001 .........................1993
W000001 .....................1994/5
T000001 .........................1996
U000001 ..................Aug 1997
A000001 ............Nov/Dec 1998
P000001 ....................Jan 2000
K000001 ..................Mid 2001
Y000001 ...................Mid 2002
F000001 ...................Mid 2003
D000001 ...................Early 2005 - NEW

1st Daytona July 2007

Hello out there, it is now 2007, is anyone still around this site? I am a brand new Daytona owner who has wanted a Rolex for years, and now feel great about the Rolex. I agree with both sides of this argument about owning one. Like most things in life there are those who desire things for their own personal reasons and of those folks, price is usually the last thing preventing them from owning a Rolex, if at all. If you want one seriously enough, and you CAN purchase one, chances are you will. Sometimes it make take awhile to satisfy financial concerns, and even then there are those people that wouldn't make the purchase, whether they feel the price is overinflated, or any other reasons I have seen here even though they can afford to. Me, personally, the combination of elegant, timeless beauty, craftsmanship (the darned thing keeps excellent time)and appreciating value made my purchase an investment both monetarily and aesthetically. How are all of you Daytona owners doing after these 6 or 7 years after the last posts?

Lucky SOB!

I am not an expert by any stretch of the imagination nor did I ever think I could justify buying a watch for thousands of dollars. Primarily because I couldn't afford one anyway. Funny thing happened, at 26yrs old I started making a lot more money, eating at nicer restaurants, and hanging out with successful people. All of a sudden I noticed a lot of very nice watches every where I went, so I started asking what made them so expensive or special. Well it wasn't long before I caught the bug myself. Now I had to figure out how much I could set aside for a watch and which one I wanted. I like many novice shoppers walked into a few stores looked at the different Rolex models and started asking a lot of questions. I didn't want just any Rolex but I could spend more then 8K. I wanted one you didn't see everyday on someone elses wrist. Well the young lady working behind the counter says I know just what you need and she proceeds to tell me all these great things about the Daytona, how beautiful it is and how there is a very limited production, so you don't see them all that often and it is in my budget. I said great I'll take one. She laughs and says there is a 3year waiting list. Now I am pissed, because she sold me on a watch I couldn't even buy. That night I was at dinner with good friend, so I am telling him the story. He picks up his phone, calls the owner of the store in Augusta, Ga and introduces the two of us. I go see him the next day and tell him what I want. Well he laughs as well and he offers to put me on the list and give me a great deal on another model that I can where while I wait 3 yrs on the Daytona. Disappointed I call the friend I was having dinner with and thank him for trying to help. A week later I was in Orlando for some business and I get the call. It is the owner of the store in Augusta, they have just got in a white face Daytona and I can buy it at retail if I can get there before the end of the day. I cancel all of my appointments and drive for 6hrs. I have been the proud owner of a Daytona for the last 2years and it always gets a lot of attention.

Rolexes are for Ugly Guys

Fortunately, I don't have all these insecurities like the rest of these foos that need to buy a 5K watch. The watch doesn't make the man, the man makes himself and the watch. You know that's true. Also, I get plenty of ass based on my good looks. I could get one if I wanted to,but it would be a waste. I get plenty of ass as it is. I don't have time for any more ass. I agree with the greggman. Everybody else should spend those 5k on cosmetic surgery. Peace out ugly insecure boyz.

Soccer 5, you sound like a pancy

See what I mean guys, "and it always gets a lot of attention." is what soccer 5 says. Soccer 5 sounds like you're insecure about something because you need some attention. Take a moment to think about this. Why do you need this attention that the watch is giving you? Cuz you lack it just being yourself. Peace out pancy.