A friend posted a question to me asking which model is
better for him to buy: The Rolex Submariner or the Rolex Daytona?
The fact both watches have definite advantages and are
suitable for different purposes. Submariner is appeared as a bit more casual
than the Daytona, both blends well with a variety of dress styles in a new
waves of Definition on “Dress Watch”. Dress watch is used to describe those
simple, thin, date or even no date, manual winding automatic gold watch…in the
traditional definition as dress watch is usually worn under the sleeve, too
thick the watch will make you look bulky on your wrist.
The Rolex Daytona is named for the city where the first
NASCAR race was held.
Originally designed for racecar drivers, Rolex Daytona lives
up to that racing reputation with its chronograph functions. Daytona shot to
fame when Paul Newman sported his own model. Preceded by the Reference 6238,
the Daytona evolved from a simple timekeeping watch to a
"chronograph" watch that marked all types of information useful to
those timing races. I believe the watch is being worn by the Race assistant to
time the race instead of the driver who focuses on the road as 100 millisecond
to press the Daytona Start button is a distraction and make him lose the lap! Capturing
time when speed is your objective can be difficult!
The Daytona is the best example of the Rolex chronography.
It is reliable, waterproof, and self-winding, among its many features. The
Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is the perfect accessory for those seeking
high performance, fine engineering and craftsmanship, and, of course, a passion
for driving and speed, Daytona is the ONLY one Chronograph produced by Rolex.
The Daytona, or cosmograph, was originally launched in 1963.
Those early Daytona is nowadays pieces of Gem if they are in tip top condition
and if you could keep the warranty certificate, box and Invoice…
If you drive a Ferrari, you may need a Daytona too….
No Questions, the next iconic name of watch:- The Submariner
- A Diver's Watch
In 1954, Rolex offers the Submariner, first created in the
pioneering era of scuba diving, designed specifically for diver and those who
want to explore depth of the Ocean or to peep through window of the sunken
Titanic!
A Diver’s watch, need to have clear details that keep divers
safe, probably a simple way was to use a unidirectional turning bezel and
easy-to-read numbers, Rolex introduced the Submariner for such a purpose.
However, Submariner as an iconic name was made its popularity when it was worn
by both Sean Connery and Roger Moore as James Bond as well as the legendary
Steve McQueen in movies.
Accompanying the Oyster case which was created mimicking an
oyster for water proofing with screw Locks and seal, the Oyster stainless steel
bracelet is both strong and comfortable. Its Oysterlock clasp prevents
accidental opening. The Oyster bracelet also allows fine adjustments without
the use of tools by divers.
When choosing a watch to accompany you on an adventure, on
road and seas….Daytona and Submariner is having certain attraction.
Both current production models are waterproof to 300 Metres,
in house automatic movement, come with Oyster Bracelet, 40mm in size.
Power reserve of Daytona is 72 hours versus Submariner 40
hours. But Daytona does not have a Date, that is the main difference between
these two watches. Daytona has a Chronograph function whereas Submariner is
just a mechanical memory by means of the bezel on diving time…
Which one will gain more prices over the years? Seems that
there is no difference … look at IG ‘ lok666” *1 for his collection.
Daytona Ref 6263 Paul Newman, the inner dial has marking, we
call “Panda “ is now about HK$2M
How about Submariner? Well, Omen Ref 1665 is HK$3M.
Submariner Ref 6538 no crown guard, double name “Tiffany
& Co.” is HK$3.5M.
These are super expensive rare and there is a lot of
history, knowledge that you should know before any purchase as the dial itself
carries 90% more on the price of the watch…
For these kinds of watch, it is very expensive and there is
market to sell… So if you are not keen on knowing their history or able to
trace the originality through Rolex, there is always a chance to buy a “Wrong”
watch. You have to go to certain Shops to make the purchase or buying from a
reliable dealer.
Price listed here is just estimated price, as certain special
watches go for such scarcity and vintage there is no standard price book for
it!
Back to the question in the beginning of the article… buy
whatever you like Submariner or Daytona…?
It will please you more after 5 years, 10 years or as I
always said , it could be part of your retire fund by time you sell your watch
purchased 30 years ago, provided that is something people will look for or
people want to get 30 years later….
What are they?… next article then….
*1 Yu Man Lok is one of the HK Action Movie stars.
He is a big Fan of Rolex .
HK Snob
