The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX


Go Back   Rolex Forums - Rolex Watch Forum > Rolex & Tudor Watch Topics > Rolex Watch Reviews

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 13 June 2016, 01:35 AM   #1
Daytona Dreaming
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 4
Rolex Daytona Black vs. White

The new Daytona is the first Rolex that really caught my interest and I now have the Rolex bug! I'm alternating between getting the black and the white and knowing I can't have both, what do forum members feel are the reasons to own one over the other? Ease of reading the time in all light conditions is important. Do any of you feel one will be more valuable long-term than the other? Are
Production volumes expected to be relatively similar?
Daytona Dreaming is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 June 2016, 07:08 AM   #2
Esoteric
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 169
Hi Daytona Dreaming, great handle btw! I would try on both (if you have that opportunity) and see which you prefer, simple as that. Often watches look very different in the flesh versus photos online or in print so trying one on might help inform your decision.

I have a white on order (but have yet to see one in person), but I saw a black Daytona last week in san Francisco and it looked stunning. I would be happy with either, and I wouldn't unduly worry about legibility, or production volumes, etc. But it is a tough call! My own decision was influenced by the fact that I have several Rolex's with Black Dial and wanted a bit of variety, also all the AD's I spoke with who had seen both watches had expressed a preference for the white dial.

I am relatively new to watch collecting but my one piece of advice to you would be to buy the watch you like and don't think about resale value or what other people like! Best of luck with the decision.
Esoteric is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 June 2016, 08:41 AM   #3
Daytona Dreaming
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 4
Thanks Esoteric. I am not a big watch trader so I'm not looking to buy for appreciation as a primary goal. A watch has to be practical first and foremost. I have a couple of IWC watches. The first I bought a few years ago was a stainless steel Portofino chron and it has a white face with silver hands. I had trouble reading it in many light conditions. My other IWC is the Portugese 7 day automatic that I acquired a couple years ago. It has a white face with blue hands. I can read it in any light condition except darkness....neither hands nor numbers are luminescent. Both have leather straps. I really want a sports watch so the Daytona is a perfect option for me. I like your idea of try I got both on. But I wonder how many dealers have both in stock?
Daytona Dreaming is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 3 August 2016, 08:18 AM   #4
idle spectre
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: sub 114060
Posts: 177
Zing
idle spectre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 August 2016, 02:54 AM   #5
htbilgic
"TRF" Member
 
htbilgic's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Chicago
Watch: Doxa Pro 300 NoT
Posts: 535
You can't really go wrong with a black dial Rolex.

I bought one Explorer II with white dial a few months ago. And I looked both into white and black dials before my purchase. Even though my Explorer II with white dial is an amazing watch, it doesn’t get as much wrist time as my other watches. Still, at the end of the day, it depends completely on your taste.
htbilgic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 August 2016, 04:37 AM   #6
Marcus09
"TRF" Member
 
Marcus09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Batman
Location: Gotham City
Posts: 1,184
Rolex Daytona Black vs. White

I have the non ceramic Daytona with white dial and it's absolutely stunning. I actually still love it over the non ceramic black dial. After visiting the shop for the new daytona launch, I actually preferred the black this time. Is it because I already have the white, or it's actually prettier than the white since I like the combination of the black dial with black ceramic. Also, the new black looks a bit like the purity of the old daytona with the aggressiveness of the GMT/sub C.
Find below the live pictures


Sent from my iPhone using TapatalkIMG_0804.jpgIMG_0807.jpg
__________________
Marcus09 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 August 2016, 11:09 PM   #7
htbilgic
"TRF" Member
 
htbilgic's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2014
Location: Chicago
Watch: Doxa Pro 300 NoT
Posts: 535
Thanks for the pictures, Marcus09. I must say: the new Daytona with white dial and black ceramic bezel looks very sharp. Very nice contrast!
htbilgic is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 8 August 2016, 11:35 PM   #8
mdgrwl
2024 Pledge Member
 
mdgrwl's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: US East Coast
Watch: Dealer
Posts: 13,254
The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.

The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.
mdgrwl is online now   Reply With Quote
Old 9 August 2016, 01:20 AM   #9
Marcus09
"TRF" Member
 
Marcus09's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2009
Real Name: Batman
Location: Gotham City
Posts: 1,184
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdgrwl View Post
The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.



The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.


I felt that too. As I said before, the black looks like a pimped up version of a gmt. The white not so much.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
__________________
Marcus09 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 August 2016, 07:49 AM   #10
strafer_kid
"TRF" Member
 
strafer_kid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Real Name: Kenny
Location: northern ireland
Watch: SDs, Subs & GMTs
Posts: 5,127
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdgrwl View Post
The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.

The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.
Must say I still have some reservations..........some days I think that this would be a nice one to go for then on others I'm not so sure........probably academic in any event given the waiting time though who knows, this might begin to drop off?
strafer_kid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 9 August 2016, 04:14 PM   #11
kwingy
"TRF" Member
 
kwingy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 1,264
I think the white one really pops and would instantly catch someone's eye. The black version is very understated and IMO if I was to get a black daytona I would prefer the original rather then stainless steel one because of the contrast.
kwingy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10 August 2016, 07:04 AM   #12
DawgByte
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Atlanta
Watch: Rolex GMT IIc
Posts: 163
I love almost all things in black... just has a classy and racy look. However, in the case of the Daytona that white face is just amazing looking. The white dial would be my choice, without doubt.
DawgByte is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 August 2016, 11:27 PM   #13
Masteryacht
"TRF" Member
 
Masteryacht's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: USA
Watch: 16622,BLNR,116500
Posts: 968
Quote:
Originally Posted by mdgrwl View Post
The white looks very Un-Rolex like to me... something that Tag Heuer would do with their Formula 1 series line.

The black on the other hand is more classy and elegant IMO.
I agree with you. If you glance at it really quickly it looks like a Tag.
Masteryacht is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 September 2016, 04:58 AM   #14
idle spectre
Banned
 
Join Date: Aug 2016
Real Name: Gary
Location: USA
Watch: sub 114060
Posts: 177
I love the black
idle spectre is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 October 2016, 12:10 PM   #15
SamQue
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Chicago
Posts: 13
Quote:
Originally Posted by strafer_kid View Post
Must say I still have some reservations..........some days I think that this would be a nice one to go for then on others I'm not so sure........probably academic in any event given the waiting time though who knows, this might begin to drop off?
Certainly a long wait time. At a Chicago boutique there are 130+ in line ahead of me.
SamQue is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 October 2016, 10:43 PM   #16
regnant
"TRF" Member
 
regnant's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Close to Rolex AD
Posts: 3,474
I have Rolex Daytona Cerachrom 116500 LN 002. It's black dial model as the number indicates. I love black dial, white dial may become more legible and if one loves so called panda dials that model should be a way to go.
Under sun light, black dial pops and looks very nice to me.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg DSC_2293.jpg (79.0 KB, 3121 views)
__________________
http://s30.postimg.org/eykg4i271/A_Lange_Sohne_Movement.jpg
regnant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 19 November 2016, 06:13 AM   #17
pacific17
"TRF" Member
 
pacific17's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2013
Real Name: Owie
Location: MNL/SFO
Watch: G-Shock DW003
Posts: 1,504
If you were in SF, I would let you try both. You cant go wrong with either dial as they both ROCK!
__________________
pacific17 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 02:04 AM   #18
Psmith
"TRF" Member
 
Psmith's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2008
Real Name: Clive
Location: Exoplanet
Watch: spring-driven
Posts: 38,856
Not a huge Daytona fan, but much prefer the black.

I wonder which the OP decided to get?
__________________
Psmith is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 20 November 2016, 12:15 PM   #19
Daytona Dreaming
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: NJ
Posts: 4
Psmith, thanks for asking. I am on two wait lists for the black. I've been noticing that asking prices have begun to come down on used 116500 black and whites from consistently in the $18K range to now in the $16.5K range to as low as $14.5K. According to the ADs I've spoken with, demand remains strong and wait list estimates range from a long of 30 months (Wempe, NYC) to 12 months. Either way, I'm not so anxious to get one that I am willing pay more than list, so I will wait.
Daytona Dreaming is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22 November 2016, 01:54 AM   #20
stolpioni
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Sweden
Posts: 93
White dial.

Rule of thumb =

If the case and bracelet is in silver, go for White dial.
If the case and bracelet is in gold, go for Black dial.
stolpioni is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 December 2016, 05:03 PM   #21
AntonL
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: Australia
Posts: 12
I am in exactly the same position as you. I have tried both on at the boutique and the decision does not get any easier.

My observations: The white didn't seem as versatile as the black (I was in a grey suit/blue shirt) and thought the black looked better. A white shirt combo would suit both watches equally I think. Casual/jeans look may suit the black face better, but I suppose this depends on your complexion and other factors.
Despite this, the reason I favour white is that all my watches have black faces.

At the end of the day, I decided to leave it to the Watch Gods and have my name down for either the white or the black. Whichever comes in first from Rolex will be the one I buy. I know I'll be happy regardless. I'm number 6 on the list so hopefully won't have to wait too much longer!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg IMG_2168.jpg (75.3 KB, 6468 views)
File Type: jpg IMG_2169.jpg (72.2 KB, 6452 views)
AntonL is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 4 December 2016, 05:47 PM   #22
shay2nak
"TRF" Member
 
shay2nak's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2014
Location: Calipornia
Watch: 116610LN & 311.006
Posts: 586
black dial looks better on you. Easy decision. White looks "cheap".
shay2nak is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 December 2016, 10:13 AM   #23
Investr
Banned
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: Rick
Location: LSU
Watch: Constantly changes
Posts: 3,815
Quote:
Originally Posted by shay2nak View Post
black dial looks better on you. Easy decision. White looks "cheap".
Looks CHEAP!!!! I'm LMAO!!!!!!!
Investr is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 5 December 2016, 10:24 AM   #24
locutus49
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2014
Real Name: John
Location: La Jolla, CA
Watch: Platona
Posts: 12,194
Black looks more hip to me. And I mean hip in a good way. But all Daytonas are A-Okay in my book.
locutus49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 December 2016, 09:06 PM   #25
madgpol
"TRF" Member
 
madgpol's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Real Name: Jason
Location: UK
Posts: 696
White all the way but I do have the black in the previous model.
madgpol is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11 December 2016, 10:29 PM   #26
Bluside
2024 Pledge Member
 
Bluside's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2015
Location: Florida
Posts: 3,054
If I were to get one (I have no plans to), I would go with the black one.
Bluside is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 12 December 2016, 06:15 AM   #27
DPE
"TRF" Member
 
DPE's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2014
Location: uk
Posts: 1,050
The black looks stunning and classy
DPE is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 December 2016, 03:57 AM   #28
GolfPunk
"TRF" Member
 
GolfPunk's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Real Name: Gary
Location: UK
Watch: WG Daytona
Posts: 4,395
I have the black dial. Both are stunning and I was happy to take either white or black whichever was offered to me.

I got offered black and I love it.

IMG_1124.jpg
__________________
♕ Rolex DateJust 1601 Buckley
Birth Year 1972 ♕
Breitling Chronomat 47 mm GMT Limited
GolfPunk is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 17 December 2016, 10:58 PM   #29
TimeOnHand
"TRF" Member
 
TimeOnHand's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2007
Real Name: Kevin
Location: Hong Kong
Watch: Rolex Air-King
Posts: 4,468
I also had a chance to try both at a local AD.... I really liked both... but found the black more to versatile!









But then again I loved the WG BLUE dial the best!


__________________
Instagram: timeonhand1010
TimeOnHand is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 18 December 2016, 03:32 AM   #30
Spacegoat
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2016
Location: London
Posts: 8
Easy
hot country - Black dial
cold country - white dial

I'm sure I don't need to explain!

also I would say the white dial model has better contrast and was the one which caught my eye from the pictures listed above.
To be honest though that WG Blue dial changes the subject, and for good cause!

Last edited by Spacegoat; 18 December 2016 at 03:34 AM.. Reason: side note
Spacegoat is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Takuya Watches

Bobs Watches

Asset Appeal

My Watch LLC

OCWatches

DavidSW Watches

Coronet


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.