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Old 8 January 2020, 08:16 AM   #1
chloebear
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Black vs White Daytona

Gents,

I feel quite good that I'm going to be getting a SS Daytona from my local AD in 2020. I like black and white about the same and would love some thoughts and insight from the community as to which dial color you prefer and why. I know the white is slightly more valuable but I'm not concerned about that part. I'm buying one to wear and enjoy.

Is the white dial more sought after because they make fewer of them? Or is it because there aren't as many white dial options? Or do people prefer the look of the white dial?

Thanks,

Mike
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:16 AM   #2
beshannon
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I chose white because I could not read the black dial
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:17 AM   #3
42itus
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I think the black looks better in person. I don’t know if there is any data that shows a lower production of the white. I think some people just want the white because everyone says the white is harder to get.


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Old 8 January 2020, 08:18 AM   #4
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I picked white. Just like the look better but both are beautiful!
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:18 AM   #5
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I chose white because I could not read the black dial
Same. I love how the black looks overall but it's illegible. White mostly solved that.

White also added diversity in dial colors. Black is just another black watch.
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:33 AM   #6
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White not cause production numbers were lower but because there’s a higher contrast between the bezel and the dial. Also the sub registers show a greater contrast as opposed to the black.
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:34 AM   #7
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White is harder. Black is prettier :)


I’m so confused
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:42 AM   #8
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If I had to pick I like the white dial better...think it’s looks better but both are too difficult for me to read.
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:48 AM   #9
Rolltide126
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I think the white. Only other Rolex in white is OP or EXPII.
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:51 AM   #10
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For the 116500 - White Dial. If you were going after the previous generation 116520 - Black Dial.
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Old 8 January 2020, 08:57 AM   #11
ROLEXster
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White dial sings to me more.
Beside, I have too many black dials.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:09 AM   #12
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Ultimately you should see them both in the flesh. I enjoyed the look of white and black from the web, and I believe I leaned toward the black from photos alone. I was fortunate to sit with both at the AD to decide, and ended up with the white dial. It is absolutely gorgeous in person. It is very classy looking; yet does not command attention from the public. In 5 years I have had ONE person recognize it as a Rolex. It is a very pretty watch so people will admire once they actually stare at it; but it flies very under the radar for me on a daily basis. Hell, I wear it at work when brewing beer every day, and unless they already know what I'm wearing, there isn't a second glance. People always complain about legibility of their white Daytona; but I have worn my white 116520 without issue for 5 years. In my old banking job I would often meet with a client of mine who would wear his black 116520 and although nice looking, I found it a little bland.

I think I'm a sucker for white with red and black splashes because I now have a car with the exact same theme and I can NOT stop staring at it.

Here is a review I made a couple years back! Scroll down for the photo post!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=krismanx

Good luck and enjoy THE HUNT!!!
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:10 AM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Rolltide126 View Post
I think the white. Only other Rolex in white is OP or EXPII.


I personally think that Datejusts with white dials are quite stunning ;-)

While I prefer older Daytonas in black, I would have to go with the white dial variant on the ceramic version. I do feel that in black, the Ceramic Daytona is more “under the radar” than the white dial, which presents itself as being a bit more playful.






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Old 8 January 2020, 09:13 AM   #14
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Always bet on black.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:22 AM   #15
RJRJRJ
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White (which I chose) seems to be more popular because it has the panda look to it, whereas the black has a similar dial to the 116520. They probably make the same of both and that's just a guess, but that goes back to my first point.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:26 AM   #16
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I am a huge fan of the white Daytona.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:29 AM   #17
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The white variant to the general audience on this particular model offers more contrast compared to it's counterpart. In a way, it brings back a bit of the aesthetics of the more famous Daytona's from the 80s (Paul Newman's,etc) with the Panda-like dial.

Another reason why is lighter/white dials are harder to match on different watches. The Daytona C seems perfect in white. Easier to match a blue or black dial to almost all watches. In collection of multiple watches, some color variations is always nice.

Go white for the 116500. I prefer the black dial for the 116520.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:30 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by chloebear View Post
Gents,



I feel quite good that I'm going to be getting a SS Daytona from my local AD in 2020. I like black and white about the same and would love some thoughts and insight from the community as to which dial color you prefer and why. I know the white is slightly more valuable but I'm not concerned about that part. I'm buying one to wear and enjoy.



Is the white dial more sought after because they make fewer of them? Or is it because there aren't as many white dial options? Or do people prefer the look of the white dial?



Thanks,



Mike


I think the white is prettier and the black is sleeker/sexier.

I was on the list for a white but when my AD offered me a black after only 58 days, I took it. It truly is a stunning piece (as in sure the white is stunning too).




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Old 8 January 2020, 09:30 AM   #19
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It’s hard to choose on this. Any which way and I would feel I’m missing out on the other. But black for me is the prettier one. There are days though when I feel the need to wear the white, especially when I wear light colored shirts.

But people say they prefer the white.

I have no problem reading the time with either.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:33 AM   #20
ninjin
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The white looks better in photos but wears small. The black wears bigger in the flesh with the black dial extending into the black bezel.

White dials owners will love the white dial..... Black dial owners will love the black dial.

White is currently the one to go for (social media helping no end) but black will always be the classic. With the pre ceramic Daytona, the black dial was at a premium to the white......

There is no winner.

But I went for black.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:42 AM   #21
subtona
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Prefer the black by a mile over the white.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:51 AM   #22
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Prefer the black by a mile over the white.
Me too. I’ve owned both.
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Old 8 January 2020, 09:52 AM   #23
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Fat_ninja View Post
White is harder. Black is prettier :)


I’m so confused


I agree with this. And from wearing both white and black dial Daytonas - I like the white because there just aren’t many whit dial Rolex professional models - but the black dial is the prettier dial IMHO.


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Old 8 January 2020, 10:09 AM   #24
lcs77
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Prefer the black


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Old 8 January 2020, 10:13 AM   #25
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I prefer white. Like the contrast and think the red Daytona pops more



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Old 8 January 2020, 10:25 AM   #26
chloebear
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Originally Posted by KrismanX View Post
Ultimately you should see them both in the flesh. I enjoyed the look of white and black from the web, and I believe I leaned toward the black from photos alone. I was fortunate to sit with both at the AD to decide, and ended up with the white dial. It is absolutely gorgeous in person. It is very classy looking; yet does not command attention from the public. In 5 years I have had ONE person recognize it as a Rolex. It is a very pretty watch so people will admire once they actually stare at it; but it flies very under the radar for me on a daily basis. Hell, I wear it at work when brewing beer every day, and unless they already know what I'm wearing, there isn't a second glance. People always complain about legibility of their white Daytona; but I have worn my white 116520 without issue for 5 years. In my old banking job I would often meet with a client of mine who would wear his black 116520 and although nice looking, I found it a little bland.

I think I'm a sucker for white with red and black splashes because I now have a car with the exact same theme and I can NOT stop staring at it.

Here is a review I made a couple years back! Scroll down for the photo post!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=krismanx

Good luck and enjoy THE HUNT!!!
I really hope to see them both in person before deciding, but if I get a call and they have either one I'll probably take it. I was lucky on my Pepsi because they called and gave me first choice between the Pepsi and the Batman. Going in I thought for sure Pepsi, but in person it was dang near 50/50.

I tend to agree that there is no wrong answer and probably really no right answer either. I'm sure they are both fantastic.
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Old 8 January 2020, 10:28 AM   #27
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I chose white because I could not read the black dial
Exactly this for me too Brian
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Old 8 January 2020, 10:30 AM   #28
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The black dial just works better in person imho
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Old 8 January 2020, 10:30 AM   #29
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White is easier on the eyes
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Old 8 January 2020, 10:31 AM   #30
chloebear
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Originally Posted by KrismanX View Post
Ultimately you should see them both in the flesh. I enjoyed the look of white and black from the web, and I believe I leaned toward the black from photos alone. I was fortunate to sit with both at the AD to decide, and ended up with the white dial. It is absolutely gorgeous in person. It is very classy looking; yet does not command attention from the public. In 5 years I have had ONE person recognize it as a Rolex. It is a very pretty watch so people will admire once they actually stare at it; but it flies very under the radar for me on a daily basis. Hell, I wear it at work when brewing beer every day, and unless they already know what I'm wearing, there isn't a second glance. People always complain about legibility of their white Daytona; but I have worn my white 116520 without issue for 5 years. In my old banking job I would often meet with a client of mine who would wear his black 116520 and although nice looking, I found it a little bland.

I think I'm a sucker for white with red and black splashes because I now have a car with the exact same theme and I can NOT stop staring at it.

Here is a review I made a couple years back! Scroll down for the photo post!

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthre...light=krismanx

Good luck and enjoy THE HUNT!!!
Just read your linked review Kristopher. Very nice review and I completely get the break in period. I was that way on my Explorer II as well. I wear it for everything except the gym as well.

I have to say, white Daytona with jeans and red Chucks....killer.
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