A look at the Rolex Daytona 116520 pre-ceramic in 2017

[@zetoch]

💯 I couldn’t agree more. The 116520, late production with chromalight dial is the best Daytona ever made. Everyone is going crazy for the ceramic models, but this is the real deal. More true to history with a SS bezel, and more aesthetically pleasing and well balanced. I have a slight preference for the white dial for its improved legibility over the black dial.

[@1bobola]

I agree, last two years with blue chromalight are the ones to have! 👍

[@bartversteijnen1084]

The steel Bezel and the sub dial rings play the light and this is what is so great about the 116520- I have a 2017 last piece Indonesia white dial and it is absolutely stunning

[@WatchHobbyist]

Great choice Bart, very good taste ;-)

[@andivalentinus2912]

I remembered this model were on displayed on every rolex authorized boutique in Jakarta, Indonesia during the last of its life cycle. So regret not buying more than a piece of it.

[@mattshafran1415]

I have a 2001 116520 black dial and a newer 116500 panda. Love them both. I see the ceramic model as more of a sporty watch and the steel bezel versions as more of a dressier option. Both fantastic, classic, perfect timepieces

[@dereks66]

Love this watch! I like both the ceramic and steel. Both black and white dials are excellent!

[@nigelkibble]

Great looking watch I think I prefer this to the ceramic

[@WatchHobbyist]

Thanks Nigel, yeah there's something about the steel bezel that just works so well.

[@craiglloyd1441]

Watch Hobbyist I had the white dial back in 2007. Absolutely gorgeous, but scratched so easily. Hold onto this one, one of my biggest regrets is selling mine even if the scratches on the bezel drove me mad.

[@WatchHobbyist]

Thanks Craig, yeah doubt this one will be going anywhere soon. Hope you get another

[@craiglloyd1441]

Watch Hobbyist I was on the waiting list for the same model as you have in the video for about three years, but sadly it coincided with the release of the ceramic model. I have a ceramic no-date Submariner at the moment which I'd rather cool too, but am looking forward to getting another Daytona sometime.

[@WatchHobbyist]

Well good to see you're happy with what you have :-)

[@akent46]

Some great points raised mate, currently debating parting with my 116610 for one, very tough decision as the Sub suits my lifestyle better yet my heart screams the Daytona and I'm always jealous when I spot one on someone's wrist.

[@Ivy_Robins]

I had the 124060 and was in the exact same spot with you. But I did pull the trigger and now I own the 116520 SS APH black dial 2014 box and papers. I missed my sub. For two days I was constantly thinking I made the wrong decision. But it passed and now I know it is the best decision I ‘ve ever made! I love my Daytona and I am literally sleeping with it on my wrist. It is that comfortable. I couldn’t with my sub. The sub was sold to a friend so I at least see it every now and then. But the Daytona is so beautiful and I see it more rare on people wrists. I cannot say the same for the submariner :)

[@akent46]

@@Ivy_Robins good to hear 👍🏼 the comfort is a point I often think about also... still have my sub for now

[@nicholasalonso4648]

I own the white dial 116520 ... and to me, it has better legibility than the black dial version. Although, I like them both.

[@saedshalabi3959]

Thank you for the great review. It helped me make the jump and bought a beautiful (almost) never used black dial 116520. Gets a lot of attention!

[@WatchHobbyist]

Very glad to hear you got sorted out. Lovely choice, enjoy

[@m3sixspeed824]

Excellent review. Your review of 116600 SD4K helped persuade me to pull the trigger. Love that watch. Now in the market for a late 116520 chromalight black (exactly like yours). Thank You!

[@dapperd8485]

they stopped making these in 2016 with 2016 models having scrambled serials if I am not mistaken. The ceramics came out late 2016...

[@kongzone9000]

Curious how is the black dial 116520 easier to read than the black dial 116500? The bezels are different but the dials and hands are almost identical.

[@lonewolf30531]

Nice review thank you . Also, what you are experiencing is called the Placebo affect. This happens when you pay $8-20 k for a watch. Everything must sound a lot better than something basic like a TUDOR.

[@ajdhill]

Another nice review. I have an early 2015 116520 with a white face and find it very comfortable and out of all my watches it gets the most wrist time. When I finally get the call for the ceramic model, I think it will be very difficult to chose between them but I have a feeling I'll be drawn towards the 116520.

[@WatchHobbyist]

I think the Ceramic is great, but it has a very modern feel. The 116520 is now a classic, and it will only gain popularity as the last, non-ceramic Daytona with some real character to it

[@bobfrombrisbane1831]

Great video, the waiting list here in Australia for a ceramic Daytona is indefinite more than seven years. The new Sea Dweller has a five year waiting list. Any Daytona is a great watch to have. Enjoy wearing it .🍾🍸⌚️

[@WatchHobbyist]

I know, it's crazy right?! All this supply and demand has gone crazy

[@Justin-yb6mf]

I can't even get on a waiting list in Sydney because the ADs don't get stock hence no list

[@kcmo208]

Stunning! I'm female and wear a white 116520. Definitely prefer the 116520 to the new 116500. Enjoy yours!

[@WatchHobbyist]

Thank you for the compliment. Ohhhh, you meant the watch! :-D No I agree with you, it's a great design that instantly became a classic with the advent of the ceramic model.

[@samadrid6321]

If I met a woman,in person, wearing a Daytona I'd be speechless. I am positive it looks stunning on you. My twenty year old daughter wears my 2002 SeaDweller once in a while. It won't fit her with the bracelet, so I put it on a black NATO. She looks great in that watch, and she says people will give her a kind word about it but have no clue it's a Rolex.

[@kcmo208]

ryvr madduck Appreciate the compliment! I adore it, and I do get compliments. I've been a watch gal since I was young. Worn a Submariner, Pepsi GMT, Explorer 2, DJs, YM......went through quite a few to get to my beloved Daytona.....it's my favorite of them all! Hubby has worn a 16610 for ten years and loves that I rock the larger pieces. To me, it's just normal. I'm sure your daughter looks awesome wearing your SD. What a classic!

[@samadrid6321]

The other day she was goofing around with my Daytona, and when I looked could tell if I took out just one link it would fit her. Uh oh, can't go there yet, can't bring myself to let her wear my precious (reference Gollum here).

[@WatchHobbyist]

:-D :-D hide it, quick!

[@lucassungjinmoon]

Thank you very much for the wonderful reveiw! I was wondering compared to 116520, how big is the lug-to-lug for 116500LN?

[@edotedy]

My pick would be 2009 2010 116520 black, old dial, new hands, green lume, new clasp. This later one has the disco subdials which I dislike. Good watch nonetheless

[@joa2944]

Thank you very much for a great review, the Rolex Daytona is a very reliable solid time piece. I am on the waiting list for a white ceramic dial. You have a nice collection. I really appreciate your great reviews.

[@WatchHobbyist]

Thank you very much Jo. You're right, they're incredibly robust for their diminutive size.

[@JulienHUSN]

Very clean and useful review

[@Teymurphell2]

You’re using the WatchBox music?

[@samadrid6321]

Oh my my my, I just traded for one of these babies. The watches I traded I remember when I bought them I had a flash of doubt with each. With the Daytona, WOW, absolutely no doubt. Love it. It is a bit hard to read and kind of busy in the dial. I love the busyness, but can be a distraction. I got a G series from 2010, so the bracelet is the highest level still used in the ceramic Daytonas. Damn I really like this watch. It took two watches to trade to get the Daytona, and one of the traded watches was the blue dial YachtMaster which my son liked to wear, but I had grown out of love. I liked the YachtMaster, but decided it was a dress watch disguised as a diver, and I have come to prefer sport watches. My son prefers dress watches and was a bit sad to see the YachtMaster go.

[@WatchHobbyist]

Great choice. I'm really glad you like it so much; it's one of the few supply and demand watches that really deserve their status.

[@samadrid6321]

Maybe the timing of your video and my purchase/trade is karma.

[@WatchHobbyist]

Could well be :-)

[@ArfanHussain1989]

Another fantastic perspective. How much was this piece please? I've been offered mint 2014 for £9500 so just wanted a price point. Thanks

[@WatchHobbyist]

Thanks Arfan. I think that's a great price if a full set. That's not far off what a dealer would pay, so if you can get it down a little bit more I doubt you'd have any worries financially with it.

[@Iron-Father]

Watch Hobbyist far more today.. same scenario as yours. A friend wants to sell his. We are still unsure about the price but I’m not really willing to pay more than £13000 b&p good condition. What do you think about prices buying off a friend? Very best

[@dereks66]

This watch is balls hot right now. The pre ceramic Daytona.

[@Freethinkers19849]

What year is this?

[@bobmarley3377]

what year the blue lume start ? thanks

[@petemorbius3936]

black over white?

[@msbrownbeast]

This is a much more attractive model compared to the current ceramic Daytona. A Daytona (IMHO) is more appropriate with a black dial. But the combination of a black dial with a black ceramic bezel makes the current model ugly, no contrast between the dial and bezel. And trying to offset the colors of the two with a polar dial does not quite make it, because the polar dial is in itself an ugly dial. Would like to see a Daytona with a black dial and silver-colored ceramic bezel.

[@bshulman5113]

Helpful video

[@WatchHobbyist]

Glad to hear :-)

[@unclejonga]

What sort of money should I be looking to pay for one of these on the pre-owned market?

[@986C]

Jonathan Spencer all of it.

[@WatchHobbyist]

Apologies for the delay. I hope you've got sorted but values are all over the place depending on age, condition, and what's included

[@marcodevian9536]

The best daytona ever made !!!

[@tyngshen28]

Do you still have the vintage Daytona?

[@WatchHobbyist]

No that was a short ownership experience. A friend persuaded me to sell it and I didn't mind as I was so worried about wearing it.

[@SM-wi1js]

With Rolex their marketing strategy to limit the number of their key watches including the ceramic Daytona are what makes their brand hold their value. They have a vault full of these but limit distribution. The "Rolex" way!

[@WatchHobbyist]

Well I hear things like that a lot, but I'd only trust it if somebody from Rolex ever told me it. Otherwise there's just too many rumours about things like this.

[@SM-wi1js]

Watch Hobbyist . A Rolex AD owner told me of a recent visit to Geneva and a tour of the Rolex facility where the vault holding Daytonas revealed thousands of watches held back for the simple reason of controlling the number in the market. AD's could sell a great deal more of professional watches if Rolex would release them.

[@WatchHobbyist]

+Steve Merrick Would they though? If they were as available as any other watch in the common market, the demand wouldn’t be the same. We’re just two people in the world chatting about the brand. Only the higher tiers of rolex know the real workings. We can only assume and speculate.

[@vadimdon]

If there is a watch that everybody knows about is the rolex submariner. Then the rolex daytona.

[@EK-fy5yy]

Simple the Best

[@jjlad5037]

Of my 12-watch collection, my Daytona 116520 gets the least wrist time. I literally hate the watch! Made a big mistake purchasing the black dial version.

[@WatchHobbyist]

First time I've ever heard that. As long as you paid the right money though, it's not a mistake; just a bad choice. I doubt you'll lose out.

[@jjlad5037]

Monetarily, I've done well with it.... but it brings me no joy.

[@WatchHobbyist]

+jj lad ah what a shame. Well we all have different tastes. Maybe go for a Patek or something if you haven’t already? Total cut above anything else

[@salangchoi02]

You can always sell with a profit

[@lovethemetals5164]

Maybe an Apple Watch is more your speed

[@terrybrigden7605]

No date ... crazy price ..... Means meh

[@dereks66]

Not everybody can own a Daytona.

[@apowers7783]

Meh... I think I'll keep my 16600/16710 for the same price.

[@WatchHobbyist]

I very much doubt they're the same price currently

[@apowers7783]

Watch Hobbyist I'd rather have both a SD and a GMT than a Daytona that requires you to have glasses to tell the time

[@WatchHobbyist]

Oh sorry you mean both for the same money vs one watch. I get you. Yes that does make a lot of sense, but I find the dial of this daytona series very easy to read. You have two fantastic watches though, and the get is rising like crazy in value so make sure you have insurance.

[@apowers7783]

To me the Daytona is more of a "modern Rolex", i.e. meant to be flashy and expensive whereas although the GMT or the SD are expensive they have stayed true to their roots and are still essentially the same as their 1960s ancestors plus a few minor improvements