The 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex Watch Review

The 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex Watch Review

The 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex Watch Review

Let’s get straight to the stage

The 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex Watch Review

I never felt really drawn to the Rolex Daytona. Because the presentation from the automatic version in 1989 (in those days operated by a Zenith-based movement), and before the 2016 Steel/Ceramic 116500LN version, my curiosity about the Daytona was negligable. In my experience it symbolized type of an representational watch that, on the personal level, never attracted me. So, what could possibly be the reason I’ve switched so rapidly from hate to like, when seeing the brand new 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex (the brand new references 116515LN, 116518LN and 116519LN)?

Why such bad feelings in regards to a watch that's, in the end, probably the most legendary and many searched for-after timepieces from the entire industry, regardless of the era? To reply to you (and I know a number of you'll recognize yourself during these words), there are lots of watches which i personally won’t buy, however in situation from the Rolex Daytona, we're many steps further. It's a mixture of different factors, many of them being not even close to objective. To begin with, there’s the appearance. Since 1989 and also the automatic versions, the Daytona has, in my experience, lost its tool aspect. It's shiny, rather bulky, badly proportioned (that fat shiny bezel), too polished and overall, quite blingy. Then, there’s the unbalanced situation, having a thin left side along with a bulky right side. And I am not even speaking concerning the screwed pushers which i find useless and unpractical every day. And when I usually found the steel versions too monochromatic and therefore missing some contrast, the gold versions were less appealing, especially due to the public representation they'd - a kind of statement watch, telling “look, I managed to get.”

This leads us to another and correctly personal explanations why I did not such as the Rolex Daytona: its aura, its image, what it really states being an object when worn. I’ve always disliked that fake-exclusivity driven by low deliveries to retailers. I do not like how this watch is really so searched for-after, even when it remains, in the end, an easy sporty chronograph from the mainstream brand (with all of due respect to Rolex, that we consider among the best manufactures around). I additionally don’t like how many people make use of this watch to exhibit around the world the way they succeed. Where’s the fervour for the reason that? In the end these bad feelings, you may think I’m excessive, however, consider one factor: I've got a large amount of respect for that logo and the model, and with no image that's associated with this watch, I'd definitely not be that harsh around the Rolex Daytona.

What exactly may why I've altered my thoughts so rapidly concerning the Rolex Daytona, to finally become so terrible where I'm able to say “I love the brand new 2017 Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex.” To begin with, it's not advertising money from Rolex leading me up to now - to begin with, there's none, and next it is not the way we work on Monochrome! Within the situation from the 2017 Gold Daytonas, it’s by pointing out look, the total amount, the facts and also the right codes, which finally speak with me. Yet, before that, we must think back in the 2016 Steel/Ceramic version to know.

Actually, I began to drastically change my thoughts concerning the Rolex Daytona in 2016, when “the Crown” introduced the version that people counseled me expecting, a steel watch, having a (kind-of) panda dial and, primary attraction, a black ceramic bezel. Yes, I understand it still shines, yes still it has got the screwed pushers, and yet, I had been area of the dozens (hundreds? thousands?) of collectors who altered their brains concerning the Dayto. That black ceramic bezel adds some lightness, some modernity, a rather more tool-ant and sportier style, and overall the best contrast that you simply expect from this type of chronograph. Yet, even when I possibly could have pressed the “buy it now button”, I'd express a couple of reservations relating to this 116500LN. The first being concerning the steel bracelet, which still features polished central links - and overall, I believe there’s an excessive amount of metal/steel within this watch… The 2nd reservation is one of the hype that surrounds this watch, which alone was making me doubtful. Yes, it is extremely subjective and it has nothing related to the general excellence of the watch, yet, it had been a powerful deterrent. But Rolex was coming to convince me to alter my mind…

This leads us to Baselworld 2017 and also the new gold/ceramic/rubber versions from the Rolex Daytona

Namely the references 116515LN (Everose gold), 116518LN (gold) and 116519LN (white-colored gold). What exactly is it about using these 3 references that's very well-done which i could change my thoughts? To begin with, when i stated, a gold Rolex isn’t “my thing”, for any simple reason that isn't concerning the look but concerning the image. Again, the type of statement watch that's (actually, was) unappealing. These 3 new Rolex Daytona are replacing the versions on leather straps, that have been clearly slightly outdated and never going like hotcakes over-the-counter any longer. Using the new Oysterflex / Ceramic combination around the gold Daytos, we've probably the recommended models within the catalogue.

In a nutshell, the evolution is - as always for Rolex - quite limited. It’s about small updates, however, these records alter the visual thought of the timepiece drastically, and provide a contemporary style and, importantly, less shine and much more contrast. The Ceramic bezel, introduced first around the Everose Daytona, had been considered to be a significant evolution. Now, its black polished surface is combined with 3 different gold alloys that Rolex offers, meaning white-colored (probably the most discreet of all of them), Everose (on rubber rather from the slightly too classic leather strap) and yellow (surprisingly probably the most achieved and balanced version). This black Cerachrom bezel can also be combined to real Panda dials, and therefore the center from the sub-counters (and not just the outer ring, like around the steel version) are colored in black. Again, less gold, more contrast, more visual balance. The best this is actually the gold version, due to the black indexes and hands, which perfectly complement the wealthy hue of the 18k gold.

Finally, there’s this Oysterflex bracelet

Most likely probably the most advanced and many comfortable rubber strap ever delivered having a watch (really, it's!). Since its introduction around the Yacht-Master, we expected (and wished) to determine it on other Amazon rolex. Its accessory for the Daytona is certainly an excellent move. As already described, its quality and it is construction are merely perfect - a superelastic metal blade over-moulded rich in-performance black elastomer, providing the durability, versatility and resistance - coupled with an unexpected sturdy internal structure - two very soft rubber bands around the internal area of the strap that stabilize the timepiece around the wrist. And there’s the appearance. Clearly, this rubber Oysterflex bracelet helps make the Rolex Daytona a lot more modern and sportier, though it may be made from gold and silver.

Are these updates enough to create someone completely change his mind? Within my situation, yes they are doing. Am I Going To purchase a Rolex Daytona Gold / Ceramic / Oysterflex? Yes, and that i may even tell that I’d choose the 116518LN (gold). My only concern is one of the cost, justified without a doubt, yet at 25,250 Euro, it's not a choice now (maybe later, once i saved enough money). The very best combination, thinking about my budget and my tastes, will be the steel 116500LN with an Oysterflex bracelet - however, Rolex doesn’t sell this rubberband separately… Using the 2016 Steel version and also the 2017 Gold/Ceramic models, we are able to state that Rolex is heading within the right direction to help make the Daytona more inviting than ever before.