A monthly journal of trying to get a Daytona 116500

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by jaisonline

March 2023 Update Part A:

It's time for my irregular check-in. Then my posts were written every few months before settling at once per year. Anyway, I'm sure everyone read about the new 126500 Daytona model.



Background :

It's been 1,713 days since i created this thread in July 2018. I then stated , "...why not document my many unsuccessful attempts at acquiring my “grail” watch, a white dial Daytona 116510 white dial.



I started this hunt in Feb. 2018. At that time, secondary prices (white dial) were around $19K but decided to NOT pay above MSRP. I watched (no pun) pre-owned prices increase from $22K in 2019 to $28K in early 2021. Then things got really nutty in 2021 (saw preowned prices as high as $47K for white dials). For most of 2022, prices started declining which continued into 2023. From Jan to March 2023 , prices ranged between $26k and $34k. Mere hours after the 60th anniversary WoW announcement, prices increased 10% (or listings on many sites were removed) from what I observed. Currently, prices for white dial 116500s are in the mid-$30s.


Frankly, It has been a frustrating First World problem trying to be this watch from an AD since I began in early 2018. I learned a ton of info about AD allocation, reseller processes, relationships, empty promises, how outside people (mainly social media) w/ events (COVID, stocks, crypto) influence demand and secondary market prices.

March 2023 Update Part B:

My gut told me a new Daytona was coming for the 60th anniversary. I wasn't sure a redesign would only for precious metals or across the board. I do like the new model (reminds me if the 6263, 16520 & 116500 were put in a bag and shaken together). News of the 126500 also pushed up 116500 prices.



So with my gut feeling about a new Daytona announcement for WoW, I spoke w/ the wife last month. Needed her to be onboard. Then decreased my watch collection rather quickly and picked up a pre-owned 116500 for a very fair Feb. 2023 price.



Thanks to everyone who followed this thread and my journey since 2018.

Ironic, how my 116500 journey ended how I should have began it with buying a nice pre-owned full set model.

Congratulations Job, you’ve certainly got patience

I hope you enjoy it, great post