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Old 11 November 2017, 12:26 PM   #1
Chadridv
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Incoming Daytona Grail - Mini-review & Comparison

I'm a weak weak man my friends lol.

However... I am so so SOOOO happy to announce that I received my first white gold Rolex today. I decided after much deliberation to trade my recently acquired 116655 +cash from me, towards the super hot Rolex White Gold Daytona 116519 on Oysterflex with Rhodium Dial and black sub dials.

There was never a doubt that this was the watch for me. I fell in love from the first second it was released at Basel World. My only reservation was the price. When I acquired the RG YM I kind of knew it was a holdover until the price came down on this Daytona.

Well Obviously I broke down and made a move. Here's why...

1. I couldn't get a perfect fit with the YM. Despite the OF (oyster flex) being extremely comfortable, it was a little too snug in the loosest position. Yes, I tried every combo of OF strap and couldn't get the perfect fit. The main issue is lack of EZ Link in the clasp. Bummer.

2. Thanh Do (Takuya) had a pre-owned mint example 116519 (they haven't been coming up that often) and if there's a chance to make a deal with Thanh Do, I jump at it. He's just incredible to work with so that made the decision easier.

My Weakness

I strongly suspect the price of this watch will come down within the next few years. Obviously it's super hot right now with not much room to play either direct from the AD or preowned. So I splurged, like I said I'm weak lol.

The other most common negative perception of this watch is that you're paying for full precious metal pricing, with no precious metal bracelet. BUT, this is why that didn't matter to me, here's why it made sense for me and why I was happy to splurge here...

1. Aside from the Platona (which is freakin awesome) there is no Daytona with Ceramic bezel (which is a must) on full precious metal bracelet. I really only wanted a ceramic bezel daytona. Since the Platona was not in the budget, there's no option there anyway.

2. I've tried PCLs numerous times, and it's not a great fit for my style and lifestyle. A full gold bracelet wouldn't get wrist time. If I'm being realistic that means I would sell or trade a full PM bracelet watch within the first 3-6 months of ownership.

The 116519 White Gold Daytona on Oysterflex

This watch is simply incredible. The dial is mesmerizing. It's clean, it's modern while clearly maintaining the heritage and history of classic vintage Daytona dials. The Rhodium sunburst gray is more like a silver in strong light which makes the contrast between silver and black similar to that of a panda dial, but even better IMO because of the varying shades the sunburst dial produces in different light.

Overall the 116519 is a grail of mine. There will always be others, but there's never been a watch I wanted more than this one, and I can't remember being as happy with a watch since I bought my LVC, (which is the first I ever bought).

Compared to 116500 Steel Daytona on Oysterflex

As you can see and as many of you know, I've converted (non permanent) my 116500 to a SS Oysterflex Daytona, the first that I know of. It had previously crept up to being one of, if not my favorite watches. I initially thought If I could figure out a way to get the 116519 I would certainly have no need for the 116500, but I'm quickly realizing they can both easily coexist. The differences are significant to me.

The 6519 case is bigger, heavier, thicker in the lugs and crown guards. Yet subtle, the warm tone is quite noticeable. And of course the dial! The dial is the true crown of this watch. The two together make a great pair for me as my 116519 will never be a hard use watch. Not that I abuse my SS Daytona, but it's easily worn daily without reserve. The White Gold Daytona will be worn for nights out, non-work days, special occasions, etc.

The Only Negative (Aside form the price tag of course)

I hate to say it but the Oysterflex Bracelet lends itself better to a SS Case and Clasp. There's no issue with my 116519. It's super comfortable and I love everything about it, but I've had the rare opportunity to wear a SS Daytona on the oyster flex for extended periods of time, and the weight of the watch is frankly better suited for this rubber strap. The extra weight of the white gold Daytona makes it so the watch must be worn snug. Not a big deal right, most of us like a snug watch. But some here like it a little loose and some like to go back and forth. The SS Daytona on OF can easily be worn tight or loose. If you try to wear the White Gold Daytona loose, it flops all around the wrist cause the case is so heavy.

Again, this is almost a positive for my SS as opposed to a negative on the 116519, and there's not much anyone can do with this information, but if Rolex is reading, please... make some SS watches on OF. The combo would be killer.

That's it folks! Here are the pics. I tried to do some comparison shots with my 116500 to tell the whole story.

Thank you all in advance for the support! Enjoy.

























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Old 11 November 2017, 12:34 PM   #2
sensui
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Beautiful choice....I don't call that weakness...seems like a good calculated decision. I think the watch is hot. Probably my next after 116506 in modern side..nothing else I don't own speaks to me.
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:34 PM   #3
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Great writeup, Chadri. Even as someone who has little interest in 6-digit watches, Daytonas and precious metal ...this watch's siren call has been there for me since it was first shown. Rolex really knocked this design out of the park. I love it.
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:35 PM   #4
Seaswirl
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Big congrats! Beautiful watch and perfect dial.
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:35 PM   #5
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Congrats on that awesome watch! That's my grail watch for now. I've seen and tried YG & RG OF, but not the WG.
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:36 PM   #6
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Super watch! Congratulations
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:38 PM   #7
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Great write-up and congrats Chadri. That WG Daytona is something else!
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:39 PM   #8
RW16610
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Stunning watch! Congrats
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:42 PM   #9
watchwatcher
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Man, that's some serious Daytona porn.

Congrats!
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Old 11 November 2017, 12:46 PM   #10
kauffee
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Great photos and write-up. Surprising to me how much more metal is on the PM Daytona... side-by-side there's really a significant difference in the lugs, crown guards, and overall thickness.
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Old 11 November 2017, 01:25 PM   #11
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Grats!
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Old 11 November 2017, 01:30 PM   #12
keschete
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I love that silver dial. Not a fan of the oysterflex. Beautiful!
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Old 11 November 2017, 01:48 PM   #13
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Excellent and well thought out review with some amazing pictures! Those pictures really show off how much difference there is in the case shape and size between metals!

The new WG Oysterflex Daytona has been on my radar too given my woes around getting a 116500. Tried it on a few times and I love the dial. Not so certain I can live with rubber in the long-term though, as every time I've thrown a Rolex onto rubber, I've always ended up changing back to the Oyster bracelet within days. I'm also concerned with its price being a bit high at the moment because it's still a pretty hot piece.
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Old 11 November 2017, 02:10 PM   #14
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You may be weak ..lol but truthfully you really think things out it is a beautiful piece and your decision to go ahead was well thought out not a careless spur of the moment move that you would probably regret the next day. That being said Big Congrats its a beauty for sure.
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Old 11 November 2017, 02:15 PM   #15
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Wow so nice. Congrats! It’s going to be hard to choose between those two Daytona’s!


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Old 11 November 2017, 02:20 PM   #16
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Wow, that's about all I can say..awesome writeup, reasoning, and most important, the watcb.congrads chad, you are my hero

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Old 11 November 2017, 02:24 PM   #17
TheRolexKingofLV
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Stunning Daytona Chadri

Great write up as well...thanks
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Old 11 November 2017, 02:25 PM   #18
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Looks amazing. Congrats on a superb incoming. Btw which rubber strap are you using on the 116500 - the fit looks perfect.
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Old 11 November 2017, 03:00 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Oryx View Post
Looks amazing. Congrats on a superb incoming. Btw which rubber strap are you using on the 116500 - the fit looks perfect.
If you look at one of the picture you'll notice they're both are Oysterflex.
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Old 11 November 2017, 03:06 PM   #20
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Absolutely love it and stunning pair
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Old 11 November 2017, 04:13 PM   #21
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Thanks for sharing your impressions
Nothing is like picking up a grail
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Old 11 November 2017, 04:17 PM   #22
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I know you wrote something but the pictures are phenomenal. Love that dial. What a beauty!!!
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Old 11 November 2017, 07:55 PM   #23
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It looks very good. Thank you for the review as well!
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:16 PM   #24
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Fantastic post, especially since it's hard to find an AD that would have both to compare and I've been toying with the idea of stretching to a 116519.
Congratulations on the purchase and thank you for going to the trouble of sharing.
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:26 PM   #25
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Just an amazing watch! Congrats and thanks for the write up.
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:31 PM   #26
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Congrats buddy!
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:33 PM   #27
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Hat is a stunner. I'm not a daytona fan at all. BUT that one watch is a hard one to not seriously consider! Congrats Chadri, enjoy it!
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:45 PM   #28
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Great choice love it!
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:47 PM   #29
tyler1980
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i love it

It's the only daytona i would buy
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Old 11 November 2017, 08:50 PM   #30
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Great choice congrats...

For some reason I can't see the write up on tapatalk
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