Is the 116500 the perfect steel Daytona?

[jb335]

At least the 116500 has an argument , but I still can’t get over listing a 16610, 16710 or a 997 as the best versions….

Should be a 5513, 16750 (matte dial) and I don’t know enough about Porsche to say but I know I wouldn’t trade my 991.1 for a 997.


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[sinbad]

Originally Posted by Ruud Van Driver

The best, perfect steel Daytona is the one the wearer owns and enjoys wearing the most.

100% agree

[Fserial]

Originally Posted by jb335

At least the 116500 has an argument , but I still can’t get over listing a 16610, 16710 or a 997 as the best versions….

Should be a 5513, 16750 (matte dial) and I don’t know enough about Porsche to say but I know I wouldn’t trade my 991.1 for a 997.


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I don’t think it’s about being technically superior, better looking or more valuable.
In terms of product evolution for steel sub and gmt, every generation until 116710/116610 with their “super cases”, improved on the previous one while staying true to the original formula.
For the 911, move from 997.2 to 991.1 was essentially a move from the traditional rear engine sports car to a (superior but different) GT car.

[Fserial]

Just came across this article from 2016 and copied below relevant quote. Haven’t seen anyone discussing the 126500 in that manner:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/be...he-new-daytona

BC:I think I'll still love it. This is the watch I've been waiting for for years, and I really mean that. I said when I wrote the Inside Rolex story that I wanted an modern Rolex to buy, wear, and keep the rest of my life, and this is it. It's definitely a fun footnote that I got the watch early, but that's all that it is. It stands on its own.

You know, I don't often buy modern watches, so I do try to tie them to something going on my life. But this one, I think it's a just-the-initials watch. I really think this one is going to be part of the foundation of my collection potentially for the rest of my life. What about you?

JM:I'd engrave "FIRST" with an exclamation point. Kidding. I think it's totally a "JCM" and the year type of watch. It's the perfect pair of Levi's – so neutral, and goes with everything. It's going to live on my wrist for a really long time. It's so rare that you add a watch to the base of a collection and you can feel it right away. When you add something to the very top of the collection, it's a big deal. But this one is instantly there, right at the core of the collection. It's so good it's like I'm not even wearing a watch. Better, it's like a fan's digital rendering brought to life!

I almost wish this were my first Daytona, because I feel like it would just open up the door to a whole new world to me. It's such a gateway watch.

[jcdevoe26]

Love this thread…but I am TT daytona fan :-) and I think the 116503 white dial is going to age like fine wine…

[Straphanger]

I have both 116 and 126 in panda i would say that while it is an iconic watch with superbe wearability , it is not the most readable watch.
The fact you know you were lucky enough to be considered for one is a big part of the Mystic !
The real icon for me are the 6265 or the Le Mans with the open case back.

[hojlund]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Ablogtowatch dot com: “The asymmetrical design, the delicate shape of the lugs, case profile, and hour markers, the monoblock and unframed ceramic bezel, the perfect overall proportions of the steel Daytona — not one of these are watch design elements that happen by chance, not at this level, anyway. And yet, all of these deliberate and calculated elements of refinement have been undone without any historical or practical justification.”

totally agree! i bet rolex will get rid of the steel bezel ring on the daytona next year.

[richard371]

Dang that looks tiny.

Originally Posted by Andad

I like this one:

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Just came across this article from 2016 and copied below relevant quote. Haven’t seen anyone discussing the 126500 in that manner:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/be...he-new-daytona

BC:I think I'll still love it. This is the watch I've been waiting for for years, and I really mean that. I said when I wrote the Inside Rolex story that I wanted an modern Rolex to buy, wear, and keep the rest of my life, and this is it. It's definitely a fun footnote that I got the watch early, but that's all that it is. It stands on its own.

You know, I don't often buy modern watches, so I do try to tie them to something going on my life. But this one, I think it's a just-the-initials watch. I really think this one is going to be part of the foundation of my collection potentially for the rest of my life. What about you?

JM:I'd engrave "FIRST" with an exclamation point. Kidding. I think it's totally a "JCM" and the year type of watch. It's the perfect pair of Levi's – so neutral, and goes with everything. It's going to live on my wrist for a really long time. It's so rare that you add a watch to the base of a collection and you can feel it right away. When you add something to the very top of the collection, it's a big deal. But this one is instantly there, right at the core of the collection. It's so good it's like I'm not even wearing a watch. Better, it's like a fan's digital rendering brought to life!

I almost wish this were my first Daytona, because I feel like it would just open up the door to a whole new world to me. It's such a gateway watch.

That’s a good interview/ article. It does reiterate how much more significant the 11 series ss Daytona was in 2016 compared to the 12 series this year. The hype and gushing of desirability and significance was at a completely new level never seen before with a Rolex model. It started its life as THE Rolex model and you can only be the first one time and the 11 series Daytona was/is the Rock Star from day one..

[Chacobell]

Originally Posted by swish77

Subjective indeed. The 6263 Big Red was the peak Daytona, IMHO. (And the last air-cooled Porsche 911 (993) was the peak.)

Correct on both counts.

[time_and_cars]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

For the 12 series is the one …. Symmetrical case, refined dial, better movement… as usual in the rolex world people that have the discontinued model would say this is the best model …. As for example the batman gmt (blnr) the discontinued model is the better and so on

[Mr. Superlative]

The 116500 - black or white variation - is ‘the’ Daytona. It’s a “forever” watch, and that is not a title to give to just any timepiece.

[Frank McKay]

116500


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[Joearch]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

I’m in this camp. Hope to add one soon.

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by time_and_cars

For the 12 series is the one …. Symmetrical case, refined dial, better movement… as usual in the rolex world people that have the discontinued model would say this is the best model …. As for example the batman gmt (blnr) the discontinued model is the better and so on

And as usual in the Rolex world, people with the new model, will say "newer is better"

I don't think it makes sense to talk about "better", as this all comes down to preference. The 126500 may be better if you prefer the changes to the watch - the 116500 may be better if you don't like the changes to the watch.

With regard to the movement, the new one may objetively be "better", but me personally feel the same way about this as I do when Apple puts out a new iPhone with a "better camera" - it may be better, but I simply do not have the skills to see it, and my usecase it not in professional photography, so it does not bring any value-add to me, as long as what I already had did its job, and the 4130 did that to perfection. I also have a 16710 and a 1680 and I have never caught myself thinking "If only it had the newer movement". Other peoples preference may differ.

For me, the old 6263 with silver dial and black subdials was the "perfect" Daytona (or the one I prefer the most). After that I prefer the 116500 due to the case and the more sporty look, but I can totally appreciate why people prefer the 126500.

[2loaded]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

Agree 100% 126 is cresting perfection

[KKholiday77]

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[goldboy]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

With photography skills that fantastic, I think you could make the 116500 look even better

[goldboy]

Originally Posted by ArtNouveau

I’ve had four SS Daytonas from three generations. My black dial 116500 is my favorite and the incremental changes to the 12 series aren’t enough to make me want to change.
Oh, and 991.1 911 for me too.

I also own the 116500 in black and love it, it's staying in the collection for life. But to be fair, the changes on the 12 series are not incremental, they're actually quite prominent with the bezel ring and case shape plus all the other small details - Rolex usually does less than this on new iterations.

[WatchMySix]

Ive been wearing a watch everyday for about 19 years. Anything from a Casio, Suunto, Tag, Rolex, Timex, Luminox, Omega, and Garmin. On combat deployments, mountaineering, range days, hiking, dinner dates, weddings, desk diving, sky diving, hanging with the kids, weight lifting, running, and relaxing. Nothing has ever compared to the 116500LN, from the moment I put it on, it felt totally different. Theres a lot that goes into this watch other than its craftsmanship and I'm aware of it but somehow all of that "specialness" works its way into the tactile feel of how it sits on your wrist. I didn't believe it either, I had "daily-ed" plenty of chronos in the past, Rolexes, but I'm completely captivated by the 116500LN and at the same time it disappears on your wrist.... It's hard to articulate.

Im excited to get my hands on a 12 series Daytona, but the 11 series never leaves the collection, ever.


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[time_and_cars]

Originally Posted by Deppe

And as usual in the Rolex world, people with the new model, will say "newer is better"

I don't think it makes sense to talk about "better", as this all comes down to preference. The 126500 may be better if you prefer the changes to the watch - the 116500 may be better if you don't like the changes to the watch.

With regard to the movement, the new one may objetively be "better", but me personally feel the same way about this as I do when Apple puts out a new iPhone with a "better camera" - it may be better, but I simply do not have the skills to see it, and my usecase it not in professional photography, so it does not bring any value-add to me, as long as what I already had did its job, and the 4130 did that to perfection. I also have a 16710 and a 1680 and I have never caught myself thinking "If only it had the newer movement". Other peoples preference may differ.

For me, the old 6263 with silver dial and black subdials was the "perfect" Daytona (or the one I prefer the most). After that I prefer the 116500 due to the case and the more sporty look, but I can totally appreciate why people prefer the 126500.

Basically there is not correct or final answer … its just what you like more

[Mystro]

Originally Posted by WatchMySix

Ive been wearing a watch everyday for about 19 years. Anything from a Casio, Suunto, Tag, Rolex, Timex, Luminox, Omega, and Garmin. On combat deployments, mountaineering, range days, hiking, dinner dates, weddings, desk diving, sky diving, hanging with the kids, weight lifting, running, and relaxing. Nothing has ever compared to the 116500LN, from the moment I put it on, it felt totally different. Theres a lot that goes into this watch other than its craftsmanship and I'm aware of it but somehow all of that "specialness" works its way into the tactile feel of how it sits on your wrist. I didn't believe it either, I had "daily-ed" plenty of chronos in the past, Rolexes, but I'm completely captivated by the 116500LN and at the same time it disappears on your wrist.... It's hard to articulate.

Im excited to get my hands on a 12 series Daytona, but the 11 series never leaves the collection, ever.


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Outstanding pic….

[PepsiBezel]

Originally Posted by ROLEX*

I think submariner is 16610LV, followed by 116610LV

Agreed Daytona is 116500LN

I think the 16610LV is the peak Submariner Date; the peak Submariner is probably the 5513 followed closely by both the 14060M and 124060.

Agree that the 16710 is the peak GMT Master II, and the 116500 is the peak Daytona.

[favx]

Yes, that's all.

[rockysw]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Ablogtowatch dot com: “The asymmetrical design, the delicate shape of the lugs, case profile, and hour markers, the monoblock and unframed ceramic bezel, the perfect overall proportions of the steel Daytona — not one of these are watch design elements that happen by chance, not at this level, anyway. And yet, all of these deliberate and calculated elements of refinement have been undone without any historical or practical justification.”

This. 126500 is fantastic watch but its all the little things mentioned above are what make 116500 more interesting and perhaps a bit different.

[illiguy]

Really like the 12, but the 116500LN White will be seen as the flagship modern steel Daytona.

[Nico81]

Originally Posted by Fserial

Now this is very subjective but every iconic product evolution arguably reaches its peak when every element is just right and after which further developments are actually deviation from the original formula.
For the Porsche 911 it was the 997 generation.
For the steel Submariner it was 16610.
For the steel GMT-Master it was 16710.

Will the 116500 be remembered as peak iteration for the steel Daytona?

I disagree that 997 was best 911 (992 is)
I disagree that 16610 was best Submariner (5512)
I disagree that 16710 is best gmt (1675 runs circles around it)
And i disagree that 116500 is best daytona126500


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[Nico81]

Originally Posted by omar-rye

I think we can end the discussion now, once and for all

Yep


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[RollingInTheDeep]

11 white / 12 black

[GY82]

12 series for me.