116508 Daytona Paul Newman Dial vs Champagne

[MRBolton]

All, I’m curious to get some opinions of the Paul Newman dial (black with yellow subdials) vs the champagne with black subdials, aka the Pikachu or YML dial.

I recently got the PN, but have that dang Pikachu still stuck in my head. I’d love to hear some opinions from those who’ve experienced either or both dial, particularly long term. Thanks in advanced!

[jb335]

I own the 508 PN dial and have for about four years now. I initially went back and forth between deciding between these two dials. I went with the PN and I literally have not regretted it for a moment since.

The PN dial on full bracelet is sportier than the champagne version and I also love its vintage charm with the matte dial and its hint of quirkiness with the red outer ring. Champagne dial is more dressy and probably a bit more formal. If that’s what you want, then go champagne but PN dial if you want the throwback with John Player Special vibes then go PN dial.

Now, on the other hand, if we change the topic to these two dials on the Oysterflex (518), I’m going champagne dial all day long. The PN dial on OF is too dark for me. Black dial, black bezel, black strap etc. the champagne dial in OF is better balanced visually to me then the PN.





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[RyanO]

Own it on OF and absolutely love it, I believe it is the best combo for the Daytona. Did you get OF or bracelet?


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[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by jb335

I own the 508 PN dial and have for about four years now. I initially went back and forth between deciding between these two dials. I went with the PN and I literally have not regretted it for a moment since.

The PN dial on full bracelet is sportier than the champagne version and I also love its vintage charm with the matte dial and its hint of quirkiness with the red outer ring. Champagne dial is more dressy and probably a bit more formal. If that’s what you want, then go champagne but PN dial if you want the throwback with John Player Special vibes then go PN dial.

Now, on the other hand, if we change the topic to these two dials on the Oysterflex (518), I’m going champagne dial all day long. The PN dial on OF is too dark for me. Black dial, black bezel, black strap etc. the champagne dial in OF is better balanced visually to me then the PN.

Agree for sure that the champagne is dressier. I also feel like it may stand the test of time a little better than the PN. However, the PN definitely has a lot more personality, for better or worse. The hands (all of them) are certainly more legible on the PN, but in a lot of lighting situations, the PN's outer minute track doesn't present itself super well to the point that I've found myself several times checking the time on my phone for the minutes since I couldn't precisely tell from my watch; this has been the most surprising and only disappointing part of ownership the last 1.5 weeks.
On OF--I think the PN dial stands up just as well as it does on the bracelet, although I've only seen it in pictures.

Originally Posted by RyanO

Own it on OF and absolutely love it, I believe it is the best combo for the Daytona. Did you get OF or bracelet?

Which do you have on OF, and what made you choose it? I have the PN on bracelet.

[Otto]

I've had this watch the longest of my current watches. You can't go wrong with either dial, but I chose this one. I've had it for about 17 years now with no regrets!

[jb335]

Wow Otto, I had no idea it’s production run has been 17+ years. Yours looks great! The 116528, which is the exact reference that made me fall in love with this Daytona version. I tried one on in Paris and I knew I’d buy one eventually. Took about a year. Ended up getting the 508. Not much difference though.


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[TheHulk]

I have the Newman as well. It’s perfect!!

[MONTANTK]

Paul Newman dial every time

[MRBolton]

No champagne supporters?! Wow!

[Kostas]

PN all the way!

[Kostas]

[jbsmith]

PN every time. My favorite Daytona. I prefer on OF with ceramic bezel for a bit more sportiness and wearability.

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[RollieZ]

I really hate y'all with these PN dial 508 or 518s

[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by Kostas

The gold bluesy is on my short list of dream watches! The Daytona looks great here. Not all pictures of it are flattering, and it very much is in this one!
Everyone seems to say this dial looks better in person, and I definitely agree.
Same for the full bluesy Sub.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

No champagne supporters?! Wow!

Yep. This tells you your gut was right.

Now stop over-thinking your watches and enjoy them!


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[MRBolton]

Originally Posted by jb335

Yep. This tells you your gut was right.

Now stop over-thinking your watches and enjoy them!


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Overthinking got me to the PN in the first place! But it's been a great watch.
All my friends and family (and wife) preferred champagne dial that's really made me doubt myself. I would've gotten the champagne in the first place if the price was even, but I may could work a deal out on one now that's really put a wrench in things.
Getting the PN dial and seeing it in person has turned me onto it even more. I prefer either the PN or champagne over the watches I traded to get it, which is a good thing at least!
I do wonder if the near monotone gold look of the champagne dial with the rest of the full PM bracelet would get old.

[garg]

I personally prefer the champ dial. I went grey with mind and the champ is about 10% more expensive than the pn.

As what others have shared, the champ is more dressy and the pn is more sporty and has a little more vintage vibe.

I was trying to convince myself to get, the cheaper option but ultimately ended up with the champ. As you can see from the pics, the dial looks pretty different in sunlight and dimmer conditions

Both these references are discontinued and I prefer the older versions over the newer ones 20230824_205330.jpg20230819_173850.jpg

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[Masteryacht]

Love that Newman dial.

[HMHM]

Personally I prefer OF over bracelet. I went with champagne dial with black sub dials. I really like the black ceramic bezel and strap contrast against the champagne dial. Full bracelet I think the matte black dial looks slightly better as it has some contrast but both are great pieces.

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[Joearch]

I like this version of tne yellow dial w black sub dials. Looked for one for many years and finally found a great example.

[faimag]

The back PN with yellow subdials and red accents (I think the new PN has no red)

[rdragon]

You can't go wrong with either. I think you are mainly asking between the 2 dials on the bracelet version (508), but since you asked in post #4 for OF version (518) as well...

I don't think you'll find many with actual experience with both dials long term. I have experienced both and slight edge goes to the champagne dial specifically for the OF version. I have not handled the bracelet version for both dials and unable to comment.

As subjective as this is, if friends and family are not "watch" people, they likely made the "right/correct" choice based on wow factor. I find that "watch" people prefer the black dial. It's definitely the more photogenic dial. Have you handled the other dial? If not, best to see in person as I have yet to see pictures that accurately portray this dial.

I also think the champagne dial with black hour markers on OF is much more uncommon since it was made for a short time period - primarily during pandemic years - unlike the other dial with ~ 2 decades in existence.

They are both awesome. But, if you haven't seen the other in person, try to get a hold of one, as you'll likely be wondering for a while. Get it out of your system so you'll be relieved with your choice without this hanging over your head. That way you can fully enjoy the one you have.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by Kostas

PN all the way!

Love mine. Also known as the John Player Special, in addition to PN.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by MRBolton

Overthinking got me to the PN in the first place! But it's been a great watch.
All my friends and family (and wife) preferred champagne dial that's really made me doubt myself.

If you are happy where the over-thinking got you, then therefore, you’re happy with the PN and you have your answer.

Also, be careful of non-WIS opinions. Most will pick a DJ over a Daytona. Lol


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[jb335]

Originally Posted by Robf52

Love mine. Also known as the John Player Special, in addition to PN.

Yes! Let’s re-brand this from PN dial to JPS. It’s actually much more fitting.


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[PenDelicate]

For yellow gold, I love when dial and bezel contrast, so I prefer the black Paul Newman dial with gold bezel and champagne dial with black ceramic bezel.

[jb335]

Originally Posted by PenDelicate

For yellow gold, I love when dial and bezel contrast, so I prefer the black Paul Newman dial with gold bezel and champagne dial with black ceramic bezel.

Exactly my preference

Contrast is good


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[teabags001]

For me personally the Pikachu for oysterflex. For the full yellow enjoy what you have for 6 months. If you still have that itch trade then.


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[travisb]

The Newman dial is the best looking YG Daytona in my eyes.

[onetwo127]

Yep,i prefer the champagne dial. i have a history of not following the crowd though.