Daytona Lug Issue

[Mikebucare]

Hi guys,

A couple of days ago, I watched a video made by Crowns & Calibers, he brought about an issue with SS Daytonas that the lugs are asymmetric from left to right, the lugs of the pusher side is thiner than the other side. After a little bit of research, I found that this happens with the SS and YG daytonas with a bracelet, and other bracelet PM version(WG, RG and PT) as well as all daytonas with Oysterflex strap do not have this “problem”. On the other hand, I found another thing, that for all the daytonas with a bracelet, only the SS and YG version have the same lug-endlink curvature, for the other versions, the curve of the lugs are not the same with that of the endlink, that is because the shape of the lugs are not the same through out the whole product line, the SS and YG have the same shape, and other PM daytonas share another shape. Again, this do not happen on the Oysterflex version because they all share the same lug shape and endlink. In other words, the case shape of the WG and RG are the same whether they have a bracelet or an Oysterflex, and this shape is also the same with the PT, but for the YG, it is a bit complex, the bracelet and Oysterflex version do not share the same case shape. I don’t know why is the case, does anyone have a clue? PS. This is not a big issue, but for an obsessive man like me, the only choice would be the Oysterflex daytonas, because they don’t have the “asymmetric” and “lug curvature” issue.

Bests,
Mikebucare

[rambo99]

i like the lug curvature on the daytona oysterflex(also on some yacht master), dont know why Rolex do not use the same lug design on 116500.

[iTreelex]

Why is it an issue? Honest question.

[EEpro]

It is by design so I wouldn't call it an issue.

The oysterflex being a black rubber band between the lugs likely ruins the effect they are trying to achieve with the bracelet and lug widths offsetting the pushers. With the bracelet the effect is quite good. In real life it isn't something that is noticed on the wrist.

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by rambo99

i like the lug curvature on the daytona oysterflex(also on some yacht master), dont know why Rolex do not use the same lug design on 116500.

Yes me too, I don't know why the 116500 and 116508 don't have the same desigh, also, I don't know why Rolex doesn't design the endlink curvature accordingly.

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by iTreelex

Why is it an issue? Honest question.

Sorry I am not a native English speaker so I may used a inappropriate word

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by EEpro

It is by design so I wouldn't call it an issue.

The oysterflex being a black rubber band between the lugs likely ruins the effect they are trying to achieve with the bracelet and lug widths offsetting the pushers. With the bracelet the effect is quite good. In real life it isn't something that is noticed on the wrist.

I agree it is by design, but I just don't see the reson for the inconsistency of the design, why they use different design for different materials, even with the same material-YG, they use different lug shape with bracelet and oysterflex.
Moreover, I do think the different lug-endlink curvature is a design flaw, because the previous version of 116600 and 116660 sea-dweller and deepsea had the same issue, but Rolex fixed it on the new 126600 and 126660.

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by EEpro

It is by design so I wouldn't call it an issue.

The oysterflex being a black rubber band between the lugs likely ruins the effect they are trying to achieve with the bracelet and lug widths offsetting the pushers. With the bracelet the effect is quite good. In real life it isn't something that is noticed on the wrist.

I agree it is by design, but I just don't see the reson for the inconsistency of the design, why they use different design for different materials, even with the same material-YG, they use different lug shape with bracelet and oysterflex.
Moreover, I do think the different lug-endlink curvature is a design flaw, because the previous version of 116600 and 116660 sea-dweller and deepsea had the same issue, but Rolex fixed it on the new 126600 and 126660.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by Mikebucare

I agree it is by design, but I just don't see the reson for the inconsistency of the design, why they use different design for different materials, even with the same material-YG, they use different lug shape with bracelet and oysterflex.
Moreover, I do think the different lug-endlink curvature is a design flaw, because the previous version of 116600 and 116660 sea-dweller and deepsea had the same issue, but Rolex fixed it on the new 126600 and 126660.

I think it's to prevent user customization on any specific daytona model.

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by rambo99

I think it's to prevent user customization on any specific daytona model.

That might be a reson though

[padi56]

Not only the Daytona but on most all of the sports models over the past 50 years lugs on the crown side has been slightly thinner. so not something new.

[saxo3]

Unequal lugs is nothing to worry about.
The design reason is aesthetic balance.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by saxo3

Unequal lugs is nothing to worry about.
The design reason is aesthetic balance.

but this daytona looks unbalanced to me!

[Andad]

I don’t think Rolex will change the design.

They have sold a few.

[saxo3]

Originally Posted by Andad

I don’t think Rolex will change the design.
They have sold a few.

+1

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by padi56

Not only the Daytona but on most all of the sports models over the past 50 years lugs on the crown side has been slightly thinner. so not something new.

Sure, but this is not what I am trying to say, my question is why Rolex uses thinner crown side lugs only for SS and YG brecelet daytona, not for other materials, including the YG oysterflex version?

Besides, why the curvature of the lugs are not the same with that of the endlinks for WG, RG and PT? My answer is that they use the same endlink for different lug types for cost reason, but why they developed two different lug shapes in the first place? Confused....

[Mikebucare]

Yes, but why not apply the same aesthetic balance rule for the materials other than SS and YG.

[brucethemanlee]

No one really knows why they do this except Rolex.

Obviously Rolex knows about this inconsistency and have purposely done it this way

It is what it is. Your question(s) are valid. If you do a searching this forum the same question comes up almost every few month in one way shape or form so it is a well known inconsistency.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

No one really knows why they do this except Rolex.

Obviously Rolex knows about this inconsistency and have purposely done it this way

It is what it is. Your question(s) are valid. If you do a searching this forum the same question comes up almost every few month in one way shape or form so it is a well known inconsistency.

First it's not a inconsistency it's simply a design thats been the same as on most all of the sports watches in mainly the SS Subs, GMTs, Daytona,etc for the past 50 plus years the design was mainly to keep case symmetry .

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by brucethemanlee

No one really knows why they do this except Rolex.

Obviously Rolex knows about this inconsistency and have purposely done it this way

It is what it is. Your question(s) are valid. If you do a searching this forum the same question comes up almost every few month in one way shape or form so it is a well known inconsistency.

Yes, I saw some discussions on the "thinner lug", and I get the "aesthetic balance" saying, but I don't understand why WG, RG and PT do not need the "aesthetic balance".

What's more, I don't see discussions on the "lug-endlink curvature" discussion, maybe I didn't use the search function properly as a new "TRF" Member

[DaveTheWatchGuy]

Originally Posted by Mikebucare

Yes, I saw some discussions on the "thinner lug", and I get the "aesthetic balance" saying, but I don't understand why WG, RG and PT do not need the "aesthetic balance".



What's more, I don't see discussions on the "lug-endlink curvature" discussion, maybe I didn't use the search function properly as a new "TRF" Member

I definitely see your point....seems pretty random to apply this thinner pusher lug design to only ss and yg Daytona but not to the wg or rg Daytonas. That’s weird to me too.

As for the different case shape for the oysterflex models, I think that just comes down to a totally different look that is required to make the oysterflex strap look more seamless - vs how it may look with a bracelet.

As a proud owner of a 116519 and 116500, I definitely prefer the case design of the wg over the ss. I get that Rolex has been doing the uneven lug thing for 50 years in the name of “symmetry”, but to my ocd eyes, it actually achieves the opposite effect. Still love the watch though!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

I definitely see your point....seems pretty random to apply this thinner pusher lug design to only ss and yg Daytona but not to the wg or rg Daytonas. That’s weird to me too.

As for the different case shape for the oysterflex models, I think that just comes down to a totally different look that is required to make the oysterflex strap look more seamless - vs how it may look with a bracelet.

As a proud owner of a 116519 and 116500, I definitely prefer the case design of the wg over the ss. I get that Rolex has been doing the uneven lug thing for 50 years in the name of “symmetry”, but to my ocd eyes, it actually achieves the opposite effect. Still love the watch though!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Exactly, what confuse me is the randomness.

As for the oysterflex, I totally agree with you and I think the design is perfect.

As for your 116519 and 116500, both are very adorable watches and I too like the wg case design more, and if the endlinks matches perfectly with the lug, it would be awesome!

[IamJacky]

It's interesting, never noticed it until people pointed it out, but it doesn't bother me at all.

[rambo99]

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

I definitely see your point....seems pretty random to apply this thinner pusher lug design to only ss and yg Daytona but not to the wg or rg Daytonas. That’s weird to me too.

As for the different case shape for the oysterflex models, I think that just comes down to a totally different look that is required to make the oysterflex strap look more seamless - vs how it may look with a bracelet.

As a proud owner of a 116519 and 116500, I definitely prefer the case design of the wg over the ss. I get that Rolex has been doing the uneven lug thing for 50 years in the name of “symmetry”, but to my ocd eyes, it actually achieves the opposite effect. Still love the watch though!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

but the oysterflex and new full gold daytona have the same lug shape which are different from the ss daytona.

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by IamJacky

It's interesting, never noticed it until people pointed it out, but it doesn't bother me at all.

Yes it is a trivial point and shouldn't be a bother, I am just curious about it and trying to find out what is the Rolex's logic behind all this

[ofelas]

Good grief y'all.

May I suggest a Casio G-Shock for perfect aesthetic lug symmetry; also it won't lose/gain seconds per day, it's strap won't rattle & you don't have to baby that precious Rolex to prevent scratches.

Also, you don't have to smell the Casio box or use loupes/equipment to find out amplitude/flaws.

Originally Posted by Mikebucare

Yes, I saw some discussions on the "thinner lug", and I get the "aesthetic balance" saying, but I don't understand why WG, RG and PT do not need the "aesthetic balance".

What's more, I don't see discussions on the "lug-endlink curvature" discussion, maybe I didn't use the search function properly as a new "TRF" Member

Originally Posted by DaveTheWatchGuy

I definitely see your point....seems pretty random to apply this thinner pusher lug design to only ss and yg Daytona but not to the wg or rg Daytonas. That’s weird to me too.

As for the different case shape for the oysterflex models, I think that just comes down to a totally different look that is required to make the oysterflex strap look more seamless - vs how it may look with a bracelet.

As a proud owner of a 116519 and 116500, I definitely prefer the case design of the wg over the ss. I get that Rolex has been doing the uneven lug thing for 50 years in the name of “symmetry”, but to my ocd eyes, it actually achieves the opposite effect. Still love the watch though!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Originally Posted by rambo99

but the oysterflex and new full gold daytona have the same lug shape which are different from the ss daytona.

[NYG1121]

It is one of those rolex quirks that no one knows the answer to. The crowd that says it is to allow more symmetry with the pushers immediately loses argument since other inproduction daytonas with different metals dont have this. Beats me

[77T]

I’ve read over the years, perhaps a thousand times, the various theories about the lug width differences on the Daytona.

One thing that also varies is the curvature in the case where the pushers are located.

Here are some simple screen shots from the current website. And note how the arc of that curve is made for different models. Some with an increased radius and others with a decreased radius. You can use the bezel as a visual reference. See where the arc of the curve meets visually.

Note how the Platona has the smoothest arc of all.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk Pro

[Mikebucare]

Originally Posted by rambo99

but the oysterflex and new full gold daytona have the same lug shape which are different from the ss daytona.

Not only "different from the ss daytona", but also the solid yellow gold ones, and this confuses me the most, because I can understand why ss is different from the PM, but why the YG is an exception?

[m j b]

I can't help but think: a good polish will balance those out for you. LOL