Since the announcement of the new Rolex Daytona at this year's Baselworld, the watch world has been abuzz about just when it would arrive in stores and how long the average buyer might have to wait. All along, Rolex touted late summer as the expected release date – and then a funny thing happened – a lucky few got a phone call from their local AD's this week, saying the first batch of Daytonas had arrived. Two of our team members were included, Mr. John Mayer and Mr. Ben Clymer. After the two received the watches, they hopped on the phone to talk about it, and what they think it means to them, watch collectors at large, and what it means to Rolex. Read an abridged transcript below.
John Mayer (JM):
So you and I are among the first two to receive the new Daytona in the country – I don't think there is a single first – but we're in the first batch, we know that. And I think the excitement about this watch takes some dissecting. There is the watch itself, and then there is the esteem of getting the watch. One of them stays, and the other one doesn't.
Ben Clymer (BC):
Right, and I think both points are worth exploring here. But what's amazing is that though a few of the people I sent pictures to once I received the watch do indeed have their names on the list for one as well, most of them did not. Which means their reactions were not plagued by annoyance that I got the call and they didn't, they just wanted to see the watch, and experience it. And I think that speaks a lot to the quality and purity of the design of this Daytona, which has zero to do with a wait list or being early to own it.
JM:
Agreed. You know when I took the watch out of the box, I think I may have spent the least time looking at it of any watch i've purchased in years. It has very little stare factor. I got it, put it on, and immediately just started owning it. And that, to me, proves how well thought through this design is. It immediately became a part of my life. This is a watch you can take on the road with you for three or four weeks at a time, and there is zero burn out.
BC:
You say that now, 36 hours in, but you think that will be true after six months?
JM:
That takes us back to what I said first – there is the watch, and then there is owning the watch now. To me, and to an existing Daytona owner, this is like a software update to your iPhone. Every time you download a new update you're not having a new experience with your iPhone, you're having a new experience with whatever is updated and new, and so I think that's the difference here. We are experiencing the bezel, and the black sub-dial rings. After that, it's the same watch we've owned.
This watch is like a mid-cycle software update to your iPhone to an existing Daytona owner, in the best way possible.
BC:
That's exactly it. But this is that iOS update where Apple added cut and paste to the iPhone. It's the update that makes us forget there was anything that came before. In the last article I wrote about the new Daytona, I said there really isn't anything to get super excited about. On paper, you just said it, it's a bezel and slight dial tweak. But in the metal, it feels like much more. This is what we've been waiting for for years! This watch should've been out years ago, we all know that. And we all know that Rolex could have done it years ago too. Finally, after what felt like three to five years of Rolex just playing with us on some level, they finally decided to give us what we all wanted, and now we're all reveling in it.
JM:
Yeah, it has to be said, that that was a masterful roll-out of a watch. And this is you and I giving credit to our opponent on some level, because Rolex plays hard to get. That was what, a five-year plan to go from Everose with a ceramic bezel [in 2011], to the platinum in the year it should have been done, to the steel this year in 2016? The first Daytona with a ceramic bezel came out half a decade ago! In some ways, the rollout of this watch was as beautiful as the watch itself. And though it killed me, you, and thousands of others waiting for this, you had to tip your hat at Rolex and say "well done," because only Rolex could do this that way.
BC:
Right, and it speaks to the power of Rolex and this watch in particular. This is not a hyper-expensive watch relative to what some collectors are used to, but this is THE watch, at any price point, all over the world, to own right now. I've never seen anything like it.
JM:
This is the trophy watch of the year. And I'm not sure most years even have trophy watches. There is a good chance this watch will still be the trophy watch of next year too. This is the new flagship watch for Rolex and it's not even close to being the most expensive model in the Rolex lineup.
BC:
Yup, it's the flagship – and this is what's so charming about Rolex – is that you can get a platinum Day Day, for what, $80,000 plus, but THIS is the watch to have. And the people that usually buy the platinum or the rose gold, they don't care about that, for at least the next two years or until they get one.
JM:
This watch is the most Rolex watch that Rolex has put out in 20 years, and with that, we'd be remiss to not talk about what this will do on the secondary market. What do you think this watch is worth, on the street, right now?
BC:
Off the top of my head, $20K. What's funny is I picked up the watch Thursday morning after a few days out in California, took it to the office, and immediately received an offer for double what I paid. Is it worth that? I dunno, but I could see it up there for sure.
JM:
If a green glass Milguass hit $20K back in the day, and it was selling for what – $6,000 or $7,000 – is the sky the limit here?
BC:
Someone told me there is a guy on a forum offering one at $22,000 right now, but I actually think the number will increase with time. Right now, there are so few watches out there, and those that have them seem to be very serious collectors, the types that don't really look to flip no matter what, so the opportunity to buy above retail isn't real yet. Once more watches hit – the second and third waves – and the watches get into the hands of other people, I fully expect to see them offered at CRAZY prices.
JM:
I think it's $30K. You kinda can't put a price on owning this watch – it's such a visceral thing. I think people will pay $30,000 for the bragging rights! And social media plays a big part in the story of this watch. Hell you and I were talking about how we'd get this watch up – we're as guilty as anybody.
BC:
It's just fun, and we're only human of course.
JM:
You know what, we just love this game. But, if you couldn't have had it this week from a dealer, how much would you be willing to pay to get one right now?
BC:
For this watch? I don't care how long it would take – I'd want it directly from an AD, with my name on the papers. This one matters to me, even though I've owned earlier, more "special" Daytonas. So I don't think there is a price, honestly.
JM:
Here's an interesting thought – I kind of wish this were my first Daytona. It's so good, and so right, I'd be sleeping with it, showering with it on. We all remember our first Rolex, and just imagine if THIS were your first? Watches this good, even Rolexes this good, do not come along often.
BC:
Oh man, completely. This is really the culmination of so many previous Daytonas, and it's right up there with some of the best of 'em. It's amazing to see how we, and even Rolex themselves, treat the Daytona as a sacred object – almost a brand unto itself – managing it even more expertly than the rest of the brand. Thus, we see the trickling out of watches which began just this week.
It's amazing to see how we, and even Rolex themselves, treat the Daytona as a sacred object – almost a brand unto itself – managing it even more expertly than the rest of the brand.
JM:
It's like the slowest feature creep towards evolution in history, but that's because it doesn't have to be any better. They do treat the Daytona differently – look at the new Sub, the new GMT, they have these broad shoulders that make them feel so new. I think this watch has the exact same dimensions as the Zeniths!
BC:
Oh definitely. It's as if touching the case of the Daytona is sacrilege, and you're totally right – it's the the same as it was when they launched the very first self-winding watches in the late '80s. That's amazing. The case of the Daytona is such a big part of what makes them special – the proportions of the vintage and the modern pieces are just perfect.
JM:
And look at the bezel. In ceramic, for the first time since the 6263, you really notice it's there, with a tachymeter and everything! It feels like a technical instrument again – like a slide-rule or something. It was never this verbose on the steel bezel. It's really back to being a tool watch.
So the question is, do you wear it with a suit?
BC:
Me? Never. But that's me – and I get dressed up so infrequently that when I do, I want to do it right with a real dress watch – a gold Patek or something. That's not to say I don't think you could get away with it here – but it's not for me. Though I guarantee you, you will see these everywhere in the board rooms of banks and law firms, very soon.
JM:
Such a great point. To a lot of guys, nothing is going to make them not wear this watch. It's not coming off the wrist – if you get a new Daytona and you work at Goldman or Morgan Stanley or something, you're wearing it. It's a point of honor. Which bring us to the next point – what are you going to think of this watch in six months, a year? And a follow up – if you were to engrave the back, what would you engrave?
To a lot of guys, nothing is going to make them not wear this watch. It's a point of honor.
BC:
I think I'll still love it. This is the watch I've been waiting for for years, and I really mean that. I said when I wrote the Inside Rolex story that I wanted an modern Rolex to buy, wear, and keep the rest of my life, and this is it. It's definitely a fun footnote that I got the watch early, but that's all that it is. It stands on its own.
You know, I don't often buy modern watches, so I do try to tie them to something going on my life. But this one, I think it's a just-the-initials watch. I really think this one is going to be part of the foundation of my collection potentially for the rest of my life. What about you?
JM:
I'd engrave "FIRST" with an exclamation point. Kidding. I think it's totally a "JCM" and the year type of watch. It's the perfect pair of Levi's – so neutral, and goes with everything. It's going to live on my wrist for a really long time. It's so rare that you add a watch to the base of a collection and you can feel it right away. When you add something to the very top of the collection, it's a big deal. But this one is instantly there, right at the core of the collection. It's so good it's like I'm not even wearing a watch. Better, it's like a fan's digital rendering brought to life!
I almost wish this were my first Daytona, because I feel like it would just open up the door to a whole new world to me. It's such a gateway watch.
BC:
I know! There are so many people that don't really "get" the Daytona and could never think of spending the money for a 6263 or anything vintage, but I guarantee you once people experience this, they'll see it. They'll find a way to go deeper into Daytonas because of this watch.
JM:
Yup, this watch won't be any more impactful than on a first time Daytona owner. And it'll do it by being just plain, and simple, and awesome. This is the watch that will breed a new generation of vintage Daytona collectors, and that makes us all smile.
You know what else this watch tells us? There are going to be white-gold ceramic Daytonas! Think about that!
Update On Deliveries (Or Lack Thereof)
Based on what we've learned this week, deliveries have begun in very limited numbers and in very limited markets. Neither Rolex, nor their dealers, are able to provide an accurate idea on when the next shipment will be received or how many watches will be delivered. As always, the best way to get one of the new Rolex Daytonas is to call your local authorized dealer and put your name on the list, just like we did. Read more about the new Daytona here.
DEXCLUSIVE sells authentic luxury brand watches, with some watches selling at a HUGE discount.
ReplyDelete