Shades of Grey - SS Daytona or DD40

[LPan]

I was having an interesting debate from a pal of mine who is in the grey market for a Rolex.

He's in the fortunate position of having £25kish ($30kish) to spend on a watch and he's torn between a couple of models. He can either get a 126500LN (indifferent on the dial) or a PM piece like a DD40 or RG GMT.

He's not interested in buying a couple of steels for the money and wants to spend it all on one special watch. It will be his daily, wear on all occasions and his one nice watch.

I honestly couldnt give him an answer one way or the other so interested to hear what you watch fans think...?

[brandrea]

These are such different references I’m not sure I can help much.

I guess about all I have to say is that for me, if it were an only and only I’d want a Stainless Steel reference for comfort on the wrist with some adjustability in the bracelet

[JSolution]

If he likes both he will end up getting both anyway :)

[Cru Jones]

I would never spend grey asking prices on the Daytona, so, the DD or GMT would be my choice.

[travisb]

I'd never pay that kind of money for a SS Daytona. PM Sub or GMT would be my choice.

[RoRoRo]

DD without a question.

[LPan]

So for me a couple of points here that I thrashed out with him:
1) He's not going to play the whole AD game so RRP is out of the question
2) I put the SS Daytona in the same league as a PM watch for a number of reasons including grey price, status, availability etc.

Even though the 126500 is a SS watch, it is not the same as a Sub or GMT. Anyone who gets one from their AD has spent the grey money equivalent indirectly. Furthermore, if someone likes the watch and cannot get one from their AD then you are buying a £25K watch, you are not buying a £13k watch + premium. The reason I say that is because if you were to sell it in 6 months (assuming market is unchanged), you'll get your money back. You wont be selling it for £13K. So personally, I struggle with the comments 'I'd never pay grey money for a Daytona' because for me you are buying an unobtainable watch at current market value that holds its money...

[BriansRolex]

Getting a DD40 for $30k is gonna be tough

[AK797]

Originally Posted by travisb

I'd never pay that kind of money for a SS Daytona. PM Sub or GMT would be my choice.

If he prefers SS get a AP RO.

[rmlovett1]

If buying from a grey dealer, I don’t believe you’ll find a DD40 or full PM GMT for $30k.

[Eyas]

Originally Posted by brandrea

These are such different references I’m not sure I can help much.

I guess about all I have to say is that for me, if it were an only and only I’d want a Stainless Steel reference for comfort on the wrist with some adjustability in the bracelet

+1
They are so different that I think the only way is for him to actually try them on.

Personally I find my Daytonas can be a bit fussy dial wise for an every day (but that may be because of my past 50 eyesight!) and my PM pieces a bit too prone to collecting scratches so I don't use any of them as daily drivers. I tend to use a Sea Dweller, GMT or other steel piece as a daily. Also in my line of work I try and avoid wearing anything that draws too much attention from clients!

[tramplejericho]

Assuming he has already got access to the watches at this price, I would 100% go for the PM option, having had the GMT Rose it’s “a lot” to wear as a daily. The day date wears smaller and is actually a great all rounder. I’d say a WG or Rose DD is the best option, but if he can get one for $30k I’d like to know where!


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[ol' Rex]

Originally Posted by LPan

Even though the 126500 is a SS watch, it is not the same as a Sub or GMT. Anyone who gets one from their AD has spent the grey money equivalent indirectly. Furthermore, if someone likes the watch and cannot get one from their AD then you are buying a £25K watch, you are not buying a £13k watch + premium. The reason I say that is because if you were to sell it in 6 months (assuming market is unchanged), you'll get your money back. You wont be selling it for £13K. So personally, I struggle with the comments 'I'd never pay grey money for a Daytona' because for me you are buying an unobtainable watch at current market value that holds its money...

I find these arguments typical for this forum, but nevertheless unconvincing.

On the one hand, you claim: "Anyone who gets one from their AD has spent the grey money equivalent indirectly."

That may in some cases be true, but the money spent at the AD was for products, while the equivalent markup given to the used-watch dealer is merely that, i.e. a markup on one watch. For example:

Oyster Perpetual (6,000) + Submariner (9,000) + Daytona = 3 watches

15,000 + Daytona = 1 watch for the same price

Even if one were to argue that a person might need to purchase a few more watches before getting a Daytona, it still holds true that the money is in fact for watches and not for nothing.

As to your comment that a person who buys from a used-watch dealer would be able to "get the money back" in six months, that is simply not true: It is common knowledge that these dealers charge more for the watches than they pay. That is how they make their money.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by ol' rex

i find these arguments typical for this forum, but nevertheless unconvincing.

On the one hand, you claim: "anyone who gets one from their ad has spent the grey money equivalent indirectly."

that may in some cases be true, but the money spent at the ad was for products, while the equivalent markup given to the used-watch dealer is merely that, i.e. A markup on one watch. For example:

Oyster perpetual (6,000) + submariner (9,000) + daytona = 3 watches

15,000 + daytona = 1 watch for the same price

even if one were to argue that a person might need to purchase a few more watches before getting a daytona, it still holds true that the money is in fact for watches and not for nothing.

As to your comment that a person who buys from a used-watch dealer would be able to "get the money back" in six months, that is simply not true: It is common knowledge that these dealers charge more for the watches than they pay. That is how they make their money.

+1.

[karleone]

At retail price no brainer I would get the SS Daytona
At grey prices no brainer as well I would get a DD / Full PM
Money better spent!

[karleone]

At retail price no brainer I would get the SS Daytona
At grey prices no brainer as well I would get a DD / Full PM
Money better spent!

[Actor07]

For USD 30k, I would go for a PM Daytona from an AD. A PM Daytona is a much shorter list than the SS Daytona. You would pay the same money for a PM Daytona at MSRP as you would for a SS Daytona. Plus the Oysterflex on a PM Daytona is comfortable and the whole package in White Gold on Oysterflex is so under the radar.

[joli160]

I’d pick a DD over a Daytona any day

[~JJ]

Sounds like your friend needs to spend some time trying on watches and building some familiarity with the models to make an informed decision based on their own taste and priorities. Try finding local greys that have inventory to look at. Good luck and have fun with the adventure.

[1William]

The devil is in the details, as always. I am a PM fan but to one and only one for all circumstances does not work for me or may others I assume. I like the SS option not only for the metal and look but for the utility. I have owned all of the Daytona's from the prior generations in all of the metals and I appreciate them and the history but they are not for me. I would look at a SS Sky-Dweller, on Jubilee. If he is looking for the flex then go blue dial, if not then black or white work great. If the Sky-Dweller is too large for him then I would look at prior generations SS Daytona's. Let us know what he decides.

[jtorrebl]

Originally Posted by Actor07

For USD 30k, I would go for a PM Daytona from an AD. A PM Daytona is a much shorter list than the SS Daytona. You would pay the same money for a PM Daytona at MSRP as you would for a SS Daytona. Plus the Oysterflex on a PM Daytona is comfortable and the whole package in White Gold on Oysterflex is so under the radar.

Yes best way to spend $30k. For that price his only option would be a black dial 126500LN. Can’t get the white dial or dd40 at that price grey.

[hojlund]

at £25k, you can definitely get the white dial 126500ln, but not a DD.

[Bazil]

Daytona .. 116500 .. white dial, there - I said it …

[Chute]

Why not combine them and get a PM Daytona like a 116528 or 16528. They can be had around that price.

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by Cru Jones

I would never spend grey asking prices on the Daytona, so, the DD or GMT would be my choice.

^^
this

[downtorock]

DD all day.


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[PenDelicate]

Daytona.

[Cambo]

Understanding that this is a debate with a friend, anyone that can afford these kinds of baubles yet can’t make their own decision should probably invest in a GIC and stay out of the bauble game. Chances are they will be disappointed whatever they do.