Rolex Daytona 116515 Review After One Week

[sturgeon123456]

Hello fellow TRF patrons. I would like to offer a brief review of the Rolex Daytona 116515 (Chocolate Daytona).

My initial impression was that the watch had a little bit more weight to it than I expected being a strap watch as opposed to Oyster bracelet. I must admit it was a pleasant surprise.

Overall the fit and finish of the dial, bezel, strap and deployment clasp are top notch as one would expect from Rolex. There is no easy link extension and the adjustments are done the old fashioned way, you have to push the pins in and move the strap about until it fits properly on your wrist. I have small wrists and had to adjust it to the smallest setting (furthest back), the watch still sits a little loose but I prefer it this way.

Everyday wear I would say it is the most comfortable Rolex I have ever had the pleasure of wearing. I also own and frequently wear a Rolex Daytona 116508 (Yellow Gold Oyster Bracelet) and although it is also very comfortable, it just isn't quite as pleasant as the strap on the 116515. The reduced weight, smoothness of the inside of the strap, combined with the low profile of the Daytona make it feel like theres almost nothing on your wrist. It fits under sleeves very well and although it is a solid gold model, I find that the strap gives it a casual side. This watch can be worn with jeans or a suit and it will look and feel great!

The dial does have quite a play in shade of color. It can go from being almost illegibly dark to quite legible based on the lighting conditions you are in. Also the lume is limited to a few indices (3,6,9) and the minute and hour hands. It is pretty weak, but it is there.

I find that the Arabic numerals do make reading the dial a breeze, and I do not have difficulties reading the chronograph subdials.....the aforementioned statement is under adequate lighting conditions only!

The biggest complaint that I have is that the Daytona font on the dial is in red and I personally don't think it matches well, but I understand this is merely my opinion and others may really like the red font

Pros:

Very Comfortable
Beautiful Dial
Low Profile, fits nicely under sleeves and jackets
Ceramic bezel isn't as prone to wear as the standard Daytona bezels
Arabic numerals

Cons:

Dial can be hard to read in low light
Lume is weak and sparse
Red Daytona font on dial

Overall Score 9/10

Pictures are unedited and used to show different play in dial color.

[sea-dweller]

Nice!

[shay2nak]

my fav daytona! thanks for the pics & write up.

[sturgeon123456]

Thanks guys and correction in my write up. The Daytona I am comparing this one to for comfort is 116528

[Fletcher UK]

I love this watch....one day hopefully. Congratulations on buying the best ! Thanks for the review.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by Fletcher UK

I love this watch....one day hopefully. Congratulations on buying the best ! Thanks for the review.

Thank you kindly

[drivenlifestyle]

Great review. Certainly shows theres a Rolex for everyone out there. And I agree about the Daytona in red being out of place.

Good job

[Alexphylactou]

I think the red Daytona gives it a nice touch

[Plastique999]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

my fav daytona! thanks for the pics & write up.

I'm right there with you Ara.
But I have to get my wife the 116505 first.....
Then hopefully soon!


Sent from my 16M

[sturgeon123456]

Thanks again everyone!

I can see how some may like the red Daytona lettering, and others may not....totally a personal preference kind of thing. Overall I still think that Rolex hit the mark with this one!

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by Plastique999

I'm right there with you Ara.
But I have to get my wife the 116505 first.....
Then hopefully soon!


Sent from my 16M

Nice of you to take care of the lady first

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by drivenlifestyle

Great review. Certainly shows theres a Rolex for everyone out there. And I agree about the Daytona in red being out of place.

Good job

Thanks!!! I never thought I would buy a strap watch....and now I want more!

[shay2nak]

Originally Posted by Plastique999

I'm right there with you Ara.
But I have to get my wife the 116505 first.....
Then hopefully soon!


Sent from my 16M

haha she wants one, too, huh?

check this 116505 out:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=370044

Which version does she like?

Originally Posted by sturgeon123456

Thanks again everyone!

I can see how some may like the red Daytona lettering, and others may not....totally a personal preference kind of thing. Overall I still think that Rolex hit the mark with this one!

I don't mind the red "daytona." If I could change anything, it would be to slighlty reduce the black arabic numerals in size. Exactly how it is on the WG non-lume version.

[Plastique999]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

haha she wants one, too, huh?



check this 116505 out:

http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=370044



Which version does she like?









I don't mind the red "daytona." If I could change anything, it would be to slighlty reduce the black arabic numerals in size. Exactly how it is on the WG non-lume version.

Thanks for the tip!
I Love that chocolate dial with Arabic numerals.
She wants the rose gold dial....


Sent from my 16M

[locutus49]

Stunning. Big congrats.

To be honest, I don't read the small dials much, except the minute timer one once in a while. My lume is like yours, adequate but not Sub-like (I'll include a photo below)., Mine is silvery monotone just like yours is chocolate monotone, and that can make any watch a bit harder to read at a quick glance in poor light, but I found that my eyes are becoming trained to the dial, so it is getting much easier to read over time.

Lume photo (in california sun the whole day before, and then in dark for 8 hours while sleeping, and upon awaking at 6 AM.:

[Memcwhirter]

Nice review. I've had my 116515 for about a month now. I opted for the ivory dial. I think the chocolate dial is more eye appealing but I had trouble reading it unless there was direct light on it. I'm still getting used to the strap. I don't find it as comfortable as my bracelets. Love the watch but it has a completely different feel and wrist presence.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by Memcwhirter

Nice review. I've had my 116515 for about a month now. I opted for the ivory dial. I think the chocolate dial is more eye appealing but I had trouble reading it unless there was direct light on it. I'm still getting used to the strap. I don't find it as comfortable as my bracelets. Love the watch but it has a completely different feel and wrist presence.

I love the ivory dial equally as much as the chocolate....I think it actually may be the better choice for the long run.

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by locutus49

Stunning. Big congrats.

To be honest, I don't read the small dials much, except the minute timer one once in a while. My lume is like yours, adequate but not Sub-like (I'll include a photo below)., Mine is silvery monotone just like yours is chocolate monotone, and that can make any watch a bit harder to read at a quick glance in poor light, but I found that my eyes are becoming trained to the dial, so it is getting much easier to read over time.

Lume photo (in california sun the whole day before, and then in dark for 8 hours while sleeping, and upon awaking at 6 AM.:

Thanks for the Lume shot! And I would LOVE that meteorite dial.....your white gold meteor daytona is one heck of a watch....probably the nicest WG rolex out there...actually it IS

Interesting that you find the same difficulties reading it. I haven't quite adjusted yet but I should have disclosed that I do wear glasses for close distance help!

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by shay2nak

haha she wants one, too, huh?

check this 116505 out:
http://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=370044

Which version does she like?




I don't mind the red "daytona." If I could change anything, it would be to slighlty reduce the black arabic numerals in size. Exactly how it is on the WG non-lume version.

To me I LOVE the large numeral size, however its such a matter of personal preference, I have to admit that WG dial is sharp too so

[Jimmy boyle]

Beautiful watch.
Congratulations!

I haven't seen a chocolate dial "on the wrist" before, so thanks for the excellent photos!

[Jimmy boyle]

Beautiful watch.
Congratulations!

I haven't seen a chocolate dial "on the wrist" before, so thanks for the excellent photos!

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by Jimmy boyle

Beautiful watch.
Congratulations!

I haven't seen a chocolate dial "on the wrist" before, so thanks for the excellent photos!

You bet no problem!!!!

[wrxsti]

awesome pick up hows the clasp does it sit center on the wrist for you?

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by wrxsti

awesome pick up hows the clasp does it sit center on the wrist for you?

Thanks!

I have a 6.5" wrist and it is flat, not rounded. The strap was adjusted to the smallest setting and the clasp is centred very nicely on my wrist.

I must mention that I do find the clasp to be rather large though and I would have been okay with a buckle instead.

[cashking]

I love mine!!! It's timeless!

[sturgeon123456]

Originally Posted by cashking

I love mine!!! It's timeless!

Couldn't agree more

[frescarosa]

great watch...but 116505 also...

[Plastique999]

I know this is about the 116505 but what are opinions on a similar style Breguet Type XX?



Sent from my 16M

[domrusso10]

Great pictures!

[Psmith]

Good review and pics