Without question....

Apr 05, 2018,00:45 AM
 

.....it is a cool watch and you make a good case for a "grail" status.

However, I think the thing about the word "grail" is that actually such a thing doesn't exist. We all have specific watches that feel like they are grails but then, once we attain the grail it no longer becomes a grail. A bit like Schrodinger's cat paradox. Once a target is reached, its status changes. Once upon a time I thought that a Daytona PN was a grail. Once I owned one, I realised it wasn's a grail. So, in the context that I have stopped looking at any watch as a grail, do I see yours as the most desirable?

I think you provide a great analysis of why it is desirable, but how desirable depends on the value one places on history. The Daytona starts from, in my view, the 6239. There are so-called pre-Daytonas that might also be called Daytonas....6234. These origins have the history....they started it all. For the same logic that the 1665 Sea-Dweller will forever be the King of Sea-Dwellers in my book, the early Daytonas like the 6239 will always have an edge over any modern variant precisely because I place so much importance on  the history. A DB5 will always be technically inferior to a DB7, but always more desirable for me.

Cool? Yes, without doubt. But THE GRAIL? Not for me, but that is just personal tatste.



More posts: 166562346239Aston MartinDaytonaDB5Pre DaytonaSea Dweller

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The argument for this ref. 16519 being the ultimate grail Daytona

 
 By: Signo : April 4th, 2018-22:57
Before I begin, I want to say that the following is my opinion and mine only. Please feel free to disagree, and I have no doubt that many of you will. First, I view all Daytona models before 1989 (ie. pre-16520) as more functional watches, neither aesthet...  

Like you, I prefer the 16520 to the 116520. I find, and we'll agree on that, that it is a a kind of best of both modern and vintage world.

 
 By: amanico : April 4th, 2018-23:21
And we'll also agree on our common preference for the 16520 over the Dayto 62xx... The Daytona fans will kill us for that, but hey, let's stay strong. Now, 16520 or 16519? I still have a preference for the 16520. I do hear you on the bracelet concern, whi... 

Nice watch and nice pics!

 
 By: Walter2 : April 5th, 2018-00:36
I also like the choclate cake! Best

Thanks!

 
 By: Signo : April 18th, 2018-13:03
Here's a whole one. ...  

Without question....

 
 By: Baron - Mr Red : April 5th, 2018-00:45
.....it is a cool watch and you make a good case for a "grail" status. However, I think the thing about the word "grail" is that actually such a thing doesn't exist. We all have specific watches that feel like they are grails but then, once we attain the ... 

You have to tie your shoes a lot!

 
 By: Brandon Skinner : April 5th, 2018-08:35
Great post and in many ways I agree with you. The only thing that put me off to the gold Daytona references on straps were how excessively large the folding buckle is. Besides that I would love to own one!👍

Compelling articulation

 
 By: MTF : April 5th, 2018-02:54
Signo, You made compelling and detailed arguments for your choice. I didn't even know a non bracelet original model existed. That makes sense and looks good too. As an aside, the workers at Zenith Manufacture also remember those days well. When I visited ... 

A WG Rolex/Zenith, a Credor & a Lexus..

 
 By: john c : April 5th, 2018-03:10
..what's not to love. Great photos. Best, John.

And now a dark brown strap!

 
 By: Signo : May 7th, 2018-12:29
Formal without being too formal. ...  

The last of the good ones!

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : April 5th, 2018-04:16
A clearly well thought out and articulated arguement. While I too am in the camp of the Zenith Daytona, I own a 16520, for me your case for 16519 falls down in one major area. The strap. To me, Subs, GMTs and Daytonas must be on a bracelet. The bracelet i... 

Interesting point, the necessity of having a bracelet on GMT MASTER / DAYTONA and SUBMARINERS...

 
 By: amanico : April 5th, 2018-05:15
I would be less categoric on the Submariners, as the Nato works very well on them...

I've given this a lot of thought..........

 
 By: Thomas_3 : April 5th, 2018-06:35
but am afraid I can't add anything to it without a few more pictures.

Here you go.

 
 By: Signo : April 6th, 2018-21:15
A couple 16520 shots for you to compare and contrast with the 16519. ...  

Not much. I'm afraid to...

 
 By: Signo : April 22nd, 2018-22:23
damage / loosen the SEL. The 16519 gives me more peace of mind. ...  

Nice one, but I think we need more pictures to decide :)

 
 By: vitalsigns : April 5th, 2018-10:51
I do like the style of the Zenith era Daytonas more than the last 2 generations.... The Daytona has gone from more of a tool watch to more of a fashion watch (as has all of Rolex's line-up). Cheers, John

Lovely Daytona!

 
 By: Arie - Mr Orange : May 8th, 2018-04:17
(you forgot to peel the sticker off...)

Love the detailed review

 
 By: Leon75 : November 10th, 2020-10:12
Thank for the detailed review and pictures. I have been looking at this watch to, but the 16519 was never with the black dial from the steel 16520. It must have replaced the original 16519 white dial with Arabic numerals?

I have to resurrect this thread . . .

 
 By: Jim14 : December 8th, 2020-13:50
Because I have read it several times and the comments are a factor in my decision to pick up the black dial version of the 16519. In my opinion, the 16519 looks very very good with the black strap. Truth be told, I am not much of a bracelet guy, so the Da... 

Good choice!

 
 By: Signo : January 11th, 2021-17:51
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