Anthony S.'s review on his Rolex Daytona

There are watches we choose because they're trendy, and those we choose precisely because they aren't. I've always had a soft spot for two-tone watches. One of my first beautiful pieces was a Tudor Black Bay S&G, which remains one of my favorites to this day. At a time when steel seems to hold the lion's share of desire, I love this combination of steel and gold precisely because it embodies something different. And let's be pragmatic: loving two-tone also has its advantages. On the pre-owned market, the discounts are often significantly greater than for steel versions. A certain waning popularity that, paradoxically, allows access to iconic watches at more reasonable prices. This is precisely the case with this 2011 Daytona 116523. A Daytona is a Daytona: it's difficult to claim originality with one of the world's most iconic watches. Yet, this gray dial configuration significantly alters its personality. Less obvious than the ever-present white or black dials, it plays with light and the gold subdials. Depending on the lighting, it can appear relatively understated… or decidedly flashy. And it's probably this contrast that appeals to me. On the wrist, you also find what makes this generation of Daytona so successful: 40 mm, restrained proportions, a balanced case, and a design that ultimately needs nothing more. The Easylink Oyster bracelet might seem like a minor detail on a spec sheet, but in real life, it's the kind of detail you appreciate. I also find that its gold bezel contributes greatly to this impression of compactness. Modern Daytonas with ceramic bezels have a stronger visual presence. Otherwise, it's hard to call this watch discreet. The yellow gold is brilliant, much more so than on my Tudor S&G. It immediately catches the light and gives the watch that "bling-bling" look that I fully embrace. The problem is that this gold also seems to collect micro-scratches almost as much as its owner collects watches. This inevitably limits its suitability. I don't wear it to the office, and even less so when the day might end with DIY projects or a slightly hectic outing. It's become my "weekend watch," with all the paradoxical implications that expression has for a watch initially designed as a sports chronograph. Most of the time, I simply wear it at home. No particular occasion, no one to impress. Just because I want to have it on my wrist. That's probably one of the best ways to know if you truly love a watch. I also thought that this combination of gold and steel would primarily be a sun watch. Living in a very sunny country, that seemed almost obvious. Yet, it was in winter that I discovered another side of it. Under a sweater or with a jacket, when the light softens, the gold brings a warmth that steel alone doesn't have. The contrast works surprisingly well and almost makes you want to ask Rolex: when will we see a Daytona in steel and Everose? On this model, a few shades of pink would probably add even more warmth. But ultimately, what I like most about this Daytona is perhaps neither its dial, nor its gold, nor even the name inscribed on it. It's what it can become over time. A 2011 Daytona is already a watch from another era, but its proportions and design have hardly aged at all. In 20 or 30 years, it will probably still be instantly recognizable. Fashions will have changed, two-tone might even come back into style before falling out of fashion again… but it doesn't matter. Because beyond the pleasure of wearing it today, there's above all the idea of passing it down. I like knowing that this watch could one day leave my wrist and be worn by one of my children. That they, in turn, could wear it! That's also why I wanted a watch like this in my collection: a watch timeless, robust, and iconic enough to last not only for years, but perhaps for several generations of our family.