126500LN or 116500LN? I went for…

[rolexboy66]

Originally Posted by noshame

Congrats, OP! I think any one of the 4 options would have been a winner!

Agree! 🤘🏼

[Wingman244]

I just purchased a 116 Black dial - got it yesterday. Thankfully I missed this thread before purchasing it - it would have driven me off the deep end. Such a great looking watch and a 126 would have been great also.

[rolexboy66]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

I just purchased a 116 Black dial - got it yesterday. Thankfully I missed this thread before purchasing it - it would have driven me off the deep end. Such a great looking watch and a 126 would have been great also.

Congrats! Great looking piece! Enjoy it!

[Edonechnr]

Having owned 116500 both white and black and owning now the black 126500: no question that the new one is better, nicer, more sophisticated and more ‘’slick’’, despite wearing a bit larger.
The steel ring, the double AR, the subdials,… everything is better.
The only disadvantage (to me) is that a jubilee (superjubilee or modern GMT jubilee) is impossible on the 126500. I tried it and not possible.
I really liked the superjubilee option on the 116. But also the optical smaller wear due to the uneven lugs.
Conclusion: have both

[Jezz0]

It's definitely a good buy, 11 series would have also been my choice.
Congratulations! wear it in good health.

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by Edonechnr

Having owned 116500 both white and black and owning now the black 126500: no question that the new one is better, nicer, more sophisticated and more ‘’slick’’, despite wearing a bit larger.
The steel ring, the double AR, the subdials,… everything is better.
The only disadvantage (to me) is that a jubilee (superjubilee or modern GMT jubilee) is impossible on the 126500. I tried it and not possible.
I really liked the superjubilee option on the 116. But also the optical smaller wear due to the uneven lugs.
Conclusion: have both

There is no double AR. It has the same single AR under the glass that the 116500LN had since 2016 when it was introduced. We have both 116 and 126 as well. The LEC shows the same double circle indicating single lume on both sets of watches

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by rolexboy66

Lugs are 1mm smaller, and the case size, some say is same size, some say is 1mm smaller too.. I’m not sure but comparing both size by size, it’s looks pretty much same to me

They do wear similar but the 126 case is as wide as the overhang of the bezel. On the 116 the bezel overhangs beyond the case. Hence the new case is slightly wider

[rolexboy66]

Originally Posted by Jezz0

It's definitely a good buy, 11 series would have also been my choice.
Congratulations! wear it in good health.

Thank you 🫡

[rockysw]

great choice. its an awesome watch. enjoy!

[Reinhard in SA]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

I just purchased a 116 Black dial - got it yesterday. Thankfully I missed this thread before purchasing it - it would have driven me off the deep end. Such a great looking watch and a 126 would have been great also.

I have the panda 11 series and would have loved the black as well before it was discontinued. The pusher/crown side of the 11 series just looked more balanced. That being said, maybe I get lucky and I'll be able to add a black 12 series.

[rolexboy66]

Originally Posted by Reinhard in SA

I have the panda 11 series and would have loved the black as well before it was discontinued. The pusher/crown side of the 11 series just looked more balanced. That being said, maybe I get lucky and I'll be able to add a black 12 series.

Wish you best of luck!

[rolesor2022]

Originally Posted by Edonechnr

Having owned 116500 both white and black and owning now the black 126500: no question that the new one is better, nicer, more sophisticated and more ‘’slick’’, despite wearing a bit larger.
The steel ring, the double AR, the subdials,… everything is better.
The only disadvantage (to me) is that a jubilee (superjubilee or modern GMT jubilee) is impossible on the 126500. I tried it and not possible.
I really liked the superjubilee option on the 116. But also the optical smaller wear due to the uneven lugs.
Conclusion: have both

agreed. I own the 116500 white currently but just received the 126500ln black. I love wearing the 126500Ln more. It has more of a presence. I always felt the 116500ln was a tab bit too small for my liking

[rolesor2022]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Wow, there is something that I have not noticed with the case back. It appears the 12 series Daytona has a more domed case back???? That was one of the huge factors why the 11 series Daytona is so comfortable with its large flat case back that spreads its weight over a larger surface area on your wrist.

I understand your reasons for loving the 116500ln more than the 126500ln. Trust me, i do. I love my 116500ln, it will stay in my collection forever. But I highly suggest you go and spend a week with the 126500ln (black preferably). It's honestly just as amazing, if not, more. The increase case size is perfect. Rolex increased it by a small amount and it is absolutely sublime.

[Tensai]

People always like what they own best, so enjoy it!

Interestingly, on several past threads, the 116500 black dial seemed to win the popularity contest.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by Mystro

Wow, there is something that I have not noticed with the case back. It appears the 12 series Daytona has a more domed case back???? That was one of the huge factors why the 11 series Daytona is so comfortable with its large flat case back that spreads its weight over a larger surface area on your wrist.

That's not a 12 series in steel and there are differences for PM vs steel in the distances these pics are calling out.

Actual apples to apples:

[Duke10]

Originally Posted by rolesor2022

I understand your reasons for loving the 116500ln more than the 126500ln. Trust me, i do. I love my 116500ln, it will stay in my collection forever. But I highly suggest you go and spend a week with the 126500ln (black preferably). It's honestly just as amazing, if not, more. The increase case size is perfect. Rolex increased it by a small amount and it is absolutely sublime.

I hope to get that chance! Getting my 116500 white tomorrow and cannot wait.
Plenty of room to love both watches! For me, the bezel and thicker sub dials is what made me go with the 116500. But the case shape of the 12 is much more satisfying to my OCD lol. I don’t like that the 12 sub dials make it look so much like the zenith but not a deal breaker. Honestly just grateful to be able to own any Rolex. They are great watches and have so many cool options my wish list just keeps getting longer. Hope you all stay well and enjoy your watches with gratitude


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by rolesor2022

agreed. I own the 116500 white currently but just received the 126500ln black. I love wearing the 126500Ln more. It has more of a presence. I always felt the 116500ln was a tab bit too small for my liking

You got the best of both worlds, the Panda 116500, and black 126500. Congrats.

[Reinhard in SA]

Originally Posted by Wingman244

I just purchased a 116 Black dial - got it yesterday. Thankfully I missed this thread before purchasing it - it would have driven me off the deep end. Such a great looking watch and a 126 would have been great also.

I think I would have chosen like you did.

[rolesor2022]

Originally Posted by APPRF

You got the best of both worlds, the Panda 116500, and black 126500. Congrats.

Thanks buddy! Truly lucky and grateful to own both. 15202 or 16202 is next

[rolesor2022]

Originally Posted by karleone

Nope you’re the one insisting on your « winning combo » of 116500 white and 126500 black. Be open minded man. It’s just a hobby not a big deal!

Oh really?

[karleone]

I am not wasting more time with you. Please unfollow me on IG as well. Thank you

[LPan]

Ive just agreed on a swap with my black dial 126 for a white dial 116. Its dated Jun 23 so got me wondering how late into 2023 were they still selling 116 Pandas?

[rolesor2022]

Originally Posted by karleone

I am not wasting more time with you. Please unfollow me on IG as well. Thank you

Hahaha you mad cus I called you out and proved you wrong

[rolexboy66]

Originally Posted by LPan

Ive just agreed on a swap with my black dial 126 for a white dial 116. Its dated Jun 23 so got me wondering how late into 2023 were they still selling 116 Pandas?

You made a really smart (and brave) decision! Good choice, congrats.

Yeah late 23 prob the last batch I reckon .. I’m assuming u did this grey? How much was this selling for if I may ask?

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by LPan

Ive just agreed on a swap with my black dial 126 for a white dial 116. Its dated Jun 23 so got me wondering how late into 2023 were they still selling 116 Pandas?

Mine is dated mid August 2023, but there will be some that are even later than that, if the AD’s had some models in the back.

And congratulations with the swap! To me the white 116500 is the best looking Daytona since the 4 digits.

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by rolexboy66

You made a really smart (and brave) decision! Good choice, congrats.

Yeah late 23 prob the last batch I reckon .. I’m assuming u did this grey? How much was this selling for if I may ask?

We may still see them well into 2025/26 judging from other discontinued models. I saw Hulks, black GMTs, and SD43 Mk1 cards dated 3 years after discontinuation.

[APPRF]

Originally Posted by Deppe

Mine is dated mid August 2023, but there will be some that are even later than that, if the AD’s had some models in the back.

And congratulations with the swap! To me the white 116500 is the best looking Daytona since the 4 digits.

Agree the 116500 white dial Panda will be a sought after reference.

[Oytun]

Originally Posted by APPRF

Agree the 116500 white dial Panda will be a sought after reference.

I doubt that, i own 116500 both black and white, i can get 126500 anytime i want, i also tried both of them but i still prefer 116500 for both black and white.

From photos alone, people go for 116. But most of them prefer 126500 when they see it in real life.

Both perfect watches, both will keep their values

[rolexboy66]

Originally Posted by Oytun

I doubt that, i own 116500 both black and white, i can get 126500 anytime i want, i also tried both of them but i still prefer 116500 for both black and white.

From photos alone, people go for 116. But most of them prefer 126500 when they see it in real life.

Both perfect watches, both will keep their values

Hi Oytun thank you for your comments. Just to share, for me it’s the other way round actually haha. From pics I preferred 126(just coz the case is 1mm wider), but when I saw both side by side, I immediately knew 116 is for me with its stronger looks (even though I prefer bigger watches).

But of coz I agree both are gorgeous and being able to own either is a blessing. Cheers

[Deppe]

Originally Posted by Oytun

I doubt that, i own 116500 both black and white, i can get 126500 anytime i want, i also tried both of them but i still prefer 116500 for both black and white.

From photos alone, people go for 116. But most of them prefer 126500 when they see it in real life.

Both perfect watches, both will keep their values

Njarh, I think it swings both ways about what people prefer when seeing it in real life, so I don’t think that any general conclusions can be made on that.

With regard to if it is gonna be sought after, I can see the case for it, with its short production time, and especially if the design language of the Daytona have now shifted for good towards that of the 126500. However in the short term I agree and in the long term (30-40 years?) who the hell cares?