AP RO 14790ST or Rolex Daytona 16520?

[jesulaiman]

A simple question: would you choose AP RO 14790ST or Rolex ‘Zenith’ Daytona 16520?

Here’s a bit of description:
14790ST:
- Year 2003, white dial.
- Case diameter 36mm
- Thickness 7.5 mm
- Water resistant 50m
- Caliber: 2225 (28,800 bph, 4 Hz, 40 h power reserve)

16520:
- T series, Year around 1996, white dial
- Case diameter 40mm
- Thickness 12.5 mm
- Water resistant 100m
- Caliber: 4030 Zenith El Primero (28,800 bph, 40 h power reserve)


Here are photos of the two:






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[TunaTuna]

Please see my response in your same thread on the AP forum

[agsstructures]

16520

[2loaded]

16520 everytime.
The "port hole" design of the RO references are tacky. Flathead screws on a bezel?

[jay_kay]

16520

[brucethemanlee]

16520

[thefollandgnat]

The AP looks much nicer and it might come in handy that you can tell what time it is.

[inadeje]

OP here’s my opinion https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=830319

[Pw92676]

I am a daytona and Chrono fan. Here however I would choose the AP.
IMO it is perfectly sized and looks like it was built for your wrist.
And as nice as this Daytona is, i would be hard pressed to say I’d choose this Daytona over other iterations. But I would definitely choose this RO over other iterations.

So, I would add the 14790 and then add a (different) Daytona later.

I am not an AP expert so would defer to the experts in that sub forum but I believe 14790 is more challenging to service due to its 2 piece construction and should be worked on by AP only. So knowing service history would also help. And if my assumptions are incorrect and can be debunked by someone who knows more, then ignore this last paragraph.

[S52]

Might just be the picture but the flat head bezel screw at 2 o'clock position on the AP looks buggered up.

Also in response to your question... I would personally go with the Zenith Daytona.

[KY..]

I’m a new yet returning member that lost access after many years here on RF.
I know variants of both watches all too well.
I have the white day date moonphase 25594ST AP sibling and the black Serti diamond dial 16523.
My wrist is 7 to 7 1/4 inches depending on the temperature.
Although I love the 36.5mm AP’s, the Zenith Daytona is a no brainer for me because of the micro adjustments and long term desirability of Zenith Daytonas.
Good luck...

[OrangeSport]

Honestly, neither

If I had to I would take the Daytona, but I don't like either (or any Genta watches).

[Seddyspaghetti]

Zenith. Not a fan of the short indicies on the ap

[1665fan]

16520 no contest.

[swish77]

That AP is just too plain. I'm generally not a fan of the white Daytona, but it wins this battle.

[Benzsiam]

14790ST is clean and classic. I have 14790BA (YG) and love it so much.

For Daytona, I preferred 116500LN white dial over 16520.

[Gab27]

I don't personally understand the hype around the AP because I do not personally see it as an attractive watch whatsoever. I'd do the Daytona without a second thought.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by Gab27

I don't personally understand the hype around the AP because I do not personally see it as an attractive watch whatsoever. I'd do the Daytona without a second thought.

You're not alone..

[Jonathanhumes]

I'd love a new AP, but looking at pics I'd take the Daytona pal

[ProCoach]

16520, for sure!

[MAINEZX10]

16520, without a doubt.

[huncho]

Originally Posted by Gab27

I don't personally understand the hype around the AP because I do not personally see it as an attractive watch whatsoever. I'd do the Daytona without a second thought.

have you seen one in person?

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by huncho

have you seen one in person?

Sure have. Several friends have various references. The bracelets are light bending good. The Guillochage dials are beautiful, but by God drop the port hole flat-head screws. The octagon bezel takes some getting used to.

[mquarter]

Originally Posted by 2loaded

but by God drop the port hole flat-head screws. The octagon bezel takes some getting used to.

Isn't this the whole point of the AP RO?

It's a real conundrum. Am leaning towards the AP though.

[Gab27]

Originally Posted by huncho

have you seen one in person?

Yes, although not that identical reference 100% (AD sells a lot of used AP). I personally find them even less flattering in person than in photos. I am sure plenty of people would say the same thing about my Sub given how subjective all of this is.

Originally Posted by 2loaded

Sure have. Several friends have various references. The bracelets are light bending good. The Guillochage dials are beautiful, but by God drop the port hole flat-head screws. The octagon bezel takes some getting used to.

Those are things that threw it off for me. Maybe if I wore one for a while I would feel differently (e.g., I hated the color of my 13 Pro at first, but a few weeks after having it I am starting to like it), but the bezel and screws and that winding crown throw me off.

[Meyrin]

Daytona, as I´ve never really liked the AP RO...

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by mquarter

Isn't this the whole point of the AP RO?

It's a real conundrum. Am leaning towards the AP though.

OK but wait to see it in person. Looks like the screw between the 2 and 3 indicies is knackered?

[RotorSelfWinding]

I don't trust AP. VC, PP, Rolex? Sure. AP, nope

[mykii]

Would take an AP any day over a Rolex.

[jesulaiman]

Thanks everyone for sharing your thoughts!


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