Rolex Daytona: Zenith, In-House vs Ceramic

Chronext Promo Code: BARKANDJACK

The guys over at Chronext allowed me to get hands-on with three of their Rolex Daytonas. I compare the latest 3 versions of the Rolex Daytona: Zenith vs In-House vs Ceramic.
Rolex Daytona 16520 (Zenith Daytona)
Rolex Daytona 116520 (In-house Movement)
Rolex Daytona 116500 (Ceramic Daytona)

The Rolex Daytona is probably the most iconic chronograph, alongside the Omega Speedmaster. In my opinion, the Rolex Daytona is a better-looking watch than the Omega Speedmaster. However, the Omega Speedmaster is significantly easier and cheaper to buy.

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[jackyoung]

116520 - I absolutely love the steel bezel. That would be my choice

[joshuaan]

The best Daytona is the one you can buy

[PeterZandorff]

A 16520 Zenith Daytona cost a brick jouse to service! Just sold mine unserviced since Rolex AD claimed that service parts are becoming scarce on the Zenith 16520 movement and the service price is 60 % more expensive than on the 116520/116500 which is already not cheap.
Another reason for the steap service price on a Zenith movement is that it consists of a lot more (non Rolex) parts, in total more than 30 % additional components to service for Rolex i.e. takes longer time to etc.
ADVISE/WARNING: Only buy a Zenith Daytona if you plan NOT to wear it!!!

[truxton]

All of these are stunning. When I decided to get one I looked at everything, went and held everyone of these in my hand. After weighing up all the differences I went with the 16520, it was between the two older models as I feel that in the long run they will hold their value best. I went with the 16520 ad not only did I like the small details better, the size of the subdials, that they are a little bit smaller and placed a tad lower on the dial, that they do not have the shiny silver surround. That the left subdial is the running seconds, something I feel is more in line with where I think this should be as Speedmasters and other have it there too.The thinner more elegant hands, the smaller time markers. Some say as tritium lose it's shine after a couple of decades the luminova version is better but I like that the tritium change colour and also change the way it works, makes it more vintage, more interesting. I will ALWAYS go for the tritium version of any watch given the choise. The last years fall of the prices specially for the ceramic model whilst the 16520 has lost much less value I think shows which model that will gain more in value as time goes by.

[marcosmcc]

I think I would go for the 116520. Looks incredible, wears really well, the movement is great and it's very slim for a Chronograph. It's a near if not perfect chronograph imo. 👌🏻 Great Video Adrian!

[aromaticsnail]

1:57 Although you're right, there's actually an easier-to-remember way to distinguish a Zenith from a non-Zenith model, one that can't be unseen: draw/imagine a line from the 9 to the 3 marker. The sub-registers' center is not aligned properly on the non-Zenith models to the diameter of the dial. Ugly AF imho...

[alexhoksbergen]

My favourite is the Zenith-Daytona, I like the thinner hands (which you occasionally find in some 116520, but rarely), and the finer and longer "boat shape" hour markers, I feel it looks more refined. Also love the sub-dials location, they have a better placement, more symmetric and aligned with the 3 hands mov. The 16520 has so many variance, the 4 lines, floating dial, inverted 6, porcelain dial, and the various bezels marking... This is the oldest "modern day" Daytona as we know it today.

[meone]

I have 4 daytonas. Both of these newer steel daytonas & a bi metal zenith. I cant get my head around why people prefer these zeniths. The watch feels so much flimsier. Favourite for me is the ceramic without a doubt.

[bartversteijnen]

I own the white dial 116520 and the bezel plays the light in different ways. Sometimes it is sparkly white, sometimes black and sometimes it looks like the polished metal it is. The C-tona just has a black bezel that is less dynamic in regards to how it plays the light.
The same argument can be made for the white dial vs the black dial. White is just bright and pops on the wrist whereas black is just dark in all light conditions.

[LlyleHunter]

As has always been the case with any Sub, regarding the current Daytona if you’re planning on wearing it with suits on a regular basis it’s best to select the black dial variant.

[eglantinefrancoisg.]

Golden year for the Daytona is 1998: 16520 with tritium dial and SEL bracelet. 1 year production. Grail.

[BastienKoert]

I love the black ceramic, but I think I'd end up with the 116520. The all around steel is just understated in a way that the ceramic isn't

[TheDesertracer]

I just got the 116520 a week ago....and I absolutely LOVE it!!

[duncanwood]

I actually own the 116520 white dial and steel bezel and it’s an absolute masterpiece, works very nicely alongside my ceramic Submariner

[nicholasalonso]

You are absolutely right!!!! the ceramic is sporty while the none ceramic is possibly a bit more dressy. I agree I would own both 116520 & 116500.

[limajuliett]

The later versions of the 16520 did have super luminova and solid endlink bracelets. I think they were both introduced in 1999.

[Iron-Father]

The latest production 2014-2016 of the 116520 has chromalight too..
The 16520 is amazing with its story regarding the zenith movement and I really like the more symmetric look of the subdials.
I opted for the pre ceramic version simply due to the more classic, elegant looks.

[willdallas]

20k on a Daytona... one thing stops me, A. Lange and Sohne 😶

[troogroove]

I bought a Daytona 116520 a few years ago and love it, the weight is right and it wears well with a suit and jeans. I find the black dial is easier to read in the sun.

[gzmdesign]

I love that ceramic one... probably the only Rolex that does anything for me... that white face with the black rimmed subdials is just incredible... stunning imagery as usual Adrian!