Two things I'd change on the Daytona

[ecdc]

I'm a big Daytona fan. I wear mine more than all my other watches, combined. But still there are two small, presumably easy and inexpensive things that could be done to it to make it better.

1. Anti-reflective coating on the underside of the crystal. Why hide the beautiful dial in glare? Topside AR smudges too much, so I'd prefer only underside. It's frankly embarrassing for a five-figure watch not to have AR coating these days. Especially when the dial is glossy; sometimes the dial or hands will reflect off the underside of the crystal, onto the glossy dial, back onto the underside of the crystal, back onto the dial...it's like a funhouse mirror effect.

2. Re-do the ticks between the minute markers.There are 5 ticks per minute marker. But the Daytona ticks 8x/second. Let's have four ticks per minute marker, so the chrono second hand, you know, can actually be read to its 1/8 second capability.

This is really just an academic exercise, because Rolex does what Rolex wants. But these two changes would make the Daytona perfect.

Thoughts?

[htrap2294]

AR coating cracks/wears over time, I think that's why Rolex refrains from using it whilst it's competitors don't. Rolexes make watches that last a lifetime.

[SDRider]

That's a pretty cool pic. I love the 1 second exposure to capture the points of movement of the second hand. Did you shoot that pic? If so, kudos. It's a fantastic shot.

3) I would add that it is a little on the small size. I've tried on the Daytona and always find it just looks small on my wrist. I love the chronograph movement but I would prefer that it had just a little more presence on the wrist.

[rossi46]

Originally Posted by SDRider

I also agree with you on the size. I've tried on the Daytona and always find it just looks small on my wrist. I love the chronograph movement but would I prefer that it had just a little more presence on the wrist.

Does the OP mention size?

As someone with smaller wrists (6.5") I actually love the size of the Daytona and wouldn't want it to ever change! AR coating on the underside of the crystal would be nice.

One more change I'll add (but truly would never happen): sapphire crystal caseback. I want to see that 4130!

[SDRider]

Originally Posted by rossi46

Does the OP mention size?

As someone with smaller wrists (6.5") I actually love the size of the Daytona and wouldn't want it to ever change! AR coating on the underside of the crystal would be nice.

One more change I'll add (but truly would never happen): sapphire crystal caseback. I want to see that 4130!

My bad, I skimmed through and thought he mentioned the size in his first paragraph.

But still there are two small,

For some reason I read that as, "but still they are too small." Now that I've re-read it I see my reading comprehension error.

Fixed my post.

[Chiboy]

Originally Posted by SDRider

That's a pretty cool pic. I love the 1 second exposure to capture the points of movement of the second hand. Did you shoot that pic? If so, kudos. It's a fantastic shot.

Damn, I didn't even notice that. That is very cool!!!

[Tony64]

How about removing a little of the unnecessary text? Top of the dial reads like a novel.

[richard371]

I think the size ins perfect IMHO I hope they don't change it.

[breitlings]

the 1/4 resolution makes quite a bit of sense. great pic!

[BiH115]

Originally Posted by SDRider

That's a pretty cool pic. I love the 1 second exposure to capture the points of movement of the second hand. Did you shoot that pic? If so, kudos. It's a fantastic shot.

Curious about this too.

[KrismanX]

I LOVE my '520.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Tony64

How about removing a little of the unnecessary text? Top of the dial reads like a novel.

I agree, could lose a line.

[Syed117]

Originally Posted by htrap2294

AR coating cracks/wears over time, I think that's why Rolex refrains from using it whilst it's competitors don't. Rolexes make watches that last a lifetime.

That's not a good reason at all.

Crystals are not expensive to replace and modern coatings are very good.

AR coating makes a world of difference when it comes to legibility.

I would remove the words "superlative chronometer officially certified"

Just "chronometer" is fine. The other three words are an exercise in excess.

[CYKBC]

I like the glare.

[johnnyjazz]

It is a beautiful watch but i wish Rolex would pay more attention to their dial printing.
Not being picky here but the sub dials printing is all over the place. The black numerals and lines are too far over to the right, it is something that should be correct. But it is still a beauty.

[ecdc]

Originally Posted by CYKBC

I like the glare.

OK, I have to ask -- what do you like about it? It hides the dial, makes it harder to read, and generally is at odds with the purpose of a sport wristwatch or chronograph. If you like shine and bling, isn't the polished case and bracelet enough?

[Tmac478]

I owned a Daytona for a few months but flipped it because it was too small and almost illegible (at 60, my eyesight is not the greatest)
I'd change a few things:
I created this picture a few months ago and posted it on a concept thread.
This would be my ideal Daytona.
I'd also like to increase the size and lose some of the text but also darken and thicken the hands and indices. I added a red tip and lightened the sub-dials too.
The date wheel is probably blasphemous, but, hey, why not?

[Etschell]

Id change the price and availability. Otherwise i think its perect.

Date complication isnt needed on a watch.

[lord91]

I'd get rid of the tachy bezel

[Fiddich]

Daytona to me is the perfect watch at any price point. I wouldn't change a thing. Although I do prefer it without the ceramic bezel. It will be a very sad day for me if they increase the size of it. A very sad day.

[AK797]

Originally Posted by Etschell

Id change the price and availability.

Increase the one and you get the other... the UK dilemma on many models now.

[Etschell]

Originally Posted by AK797

Increase the one and you get the other... the UK dilemma on many models now.

How much was the tudor increae??

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[CRM114]

Agree with adding an AR coating (for all Rolex), less text, and especially increase overall legibility of hands and subdials.

Some Daytona subdial hands are so invisible it's like the designers at Rolex completely ignored the notion of contrast or that someone might actually want to use the chrono feature it's built around. Perhaps they're running a psychological test to see if people will still buy a watch you can't read, seeing how far they can take it? I sold my 116520 because I got tired of having to look for the time (somewhere underneath the glare) instead of being able to tell what time it was at a glance. Ended up with a 116509 with silver racing dial/red subdial hands for that very reason; a Daytona I can actually tell time with at a glance. Yay, too bad had to go gold to get it (but even then no AR) Never had that problem with any Speedy Pro.

[Tmac478]

Originally Posted by CRM114

Agree with adding an AR coating (for all Rolex), less text, and especially increase overall legibility of hands and subdials.

Some Daytona subdial hands are so invisible it's like the designers at Rolex completely ignored the notion of contrast or that someone might actually want to use the chrono feature it's built around. Perhaps they're running a psychological test to see if people will still buy a watch you can't read, seeing how far they can take it? I sold my 116520 because I got tired of having to look for the time (somewhere underneath the glare) instead of being able to tell what time it was at a glance. Ended up with a 116509 with silver racing dial/red subdial hands for that very reason; a Daytona I can actually tell time with at a glance. Yay, too bad had to go gold to get it (but even then no AR) Never had that problem with any Speedy Pro.

Agree. White hands against a white dial background? Did the idea of contrast ever cross their minds? I flipped mine for this very reason. In certain lighting, I literally could not look down at my $10k+ watch and tell you what time it was. I don't have this problem with my Panerai, or Speedy or the Yachtmaster blue dial that I flipped it for.

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[ejvette]

Originally Posted by Tony64

How about removing a little of the unnecessary text? Top of the dial reads like a novel.

Agreed!

[oldsalt]

Originally Posted by Tmac478

Agree. White hands against a white dial background? Did the idea of contrast ever cross their minds? I flipped mine for this very reason. In certain lighting, I literally could not look down at my $10k+ watch and tell you what time it was. I don't have this problem with my Panerai, or Speedy or the Yachtmaster blue dial that I flipped it for.

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I got rid of mine for just that reason too.... I've moved on and I'm happy....

[mfer]

If they did the 4 ticks instead of 5 imagine all the posts people would make here showing how their second hand doesn't always perfectly line up with the 1/4 second markers.

[CRM114]

Originally Posted by Tmac478

Agree. White hands against a white dial background? Did the idea of contrast ever cross their minds? I flipped mine for this very reason. In certain lighting, I literally could not look down at my $10k+ watch and tell you what time it was. I don't have this problem with my Panerai, or Speedy or the Yachtmaster blue dial that I flipped it for.

Exactly! Once that realization hit I knew it had to go, and soured me a bit on Daytonas in general because so many variations have the same problem. I think I got the 116509 to prove to myself I'm not a quitter and because I like chronos, but now it feels a bit empty and joyless, getting little wrist time even though I can tell the time using this particular one. It'll probably be sold.

[exador]

Wait, people buy Daytonas to actually tell the time?

/s

[bobby81]

I have the Daytona 116503 White Dial with Gold Sub Dials & I love it. I very rarely wear my Sub 116613LB at all since I bought the Daytona. I agree with you it is a bit small by today's trends for big Watches but the only thing I would get rid of my Daytona for is for a full Gold Daytona which I hope to have next year. Sorry no pics I don't know how to upload them yet