Bought a Rolex Daytona

I'm pretty excited, I just picked up a grail watch (to me, anyway) that I've admired for years! I know the 'ultimate' (most desired) Daytona is the stainless steel with white dial, second is the black dial, but I was never keen on those versions - the dials just didn't excite me. it's similar to my dislike for all-black interiors on cars, or silver exteriors. I love the vintage Panda dials and Newman dials, so was attracted by some of the dials offered on the white gold or yellow gold models - contrasting dials, or red pointers. However, I also like the two tone stainless steel and yellow gold Rolex models, like the classic GMT IIc two tone with black dial and bezel. Lately I've been thinking that I really like the combination of two-tone with Daytona, and had been looking at the options. I know the two-tone Daytonas are not in nearly as much demand as the stainless steel versions, but they really work for me, and since I would be the one wearing it, I decided to ignore the market preferences.

I wasn't intending to buy for another 6 months or so, but we happened across a Rolex authorized dealer while on vacation this week and spotted my ultimate Daytona in the case, and when a small discount off MSRP was offered, decided to make the leap now. It's a two-tone stainless steel and yellow gold with the white Panda dial. I love the contrast of the black sub-dials, the touch of red, and the arabic numbers instead of the indexes on the hours.

This picture isn't my exact watch, but is identical. I'll post a wrist shot and with the 308 later on!
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Thanks for the positive comments! My preference for the two-tone shouldn't be interpreted as a dislike for the SS, or as a comment on how popular or "common" they are - I'd have loved a SS Daytona with the Panda dial as well, and I've seen on rolexforum.com that there are a few people who have modified a SS Daytona by installing the white gold version of this panda dial, sometimes with red pointers. (On the white gold Daytona panda, the arabic numbers are outlines in white gold instead of yellow; the subdials are outlined in white gold instead of yellow; and the coronet and pointers are silver colour (white gold?) instead of yellow gold colour)

It was just a personal preference for me for the panda dial, as well as really liking the Rolex two-tone sports watches like the Sub and GMT IIc. Seeing the combination of panda and two-tone was enough for me to pull the trigger.

(For forum search assistance, the model number of the two-tone Daytona on bracelet is 116523 )

 

Yes, they're standard on the white/black Panda dial on the two-tone Daytona. Arabic numbers are also on the Blue dial two-tone Daytona. Like the white/black Panda dial on the two-tone which is a variation of the white gold dial, the blue dial is only offered on the two-tone Daytona but is a variation of the slate dial on the white gold Daytona with leather strap, or the black dial on the white gold Daytona. There's also the rose gold Daytona with ceramic bezel and leather strap, that has a chocolate dial with Arabic numbers.

I had a choice of two tone Daytonas - the blue dial, the Panda dial, or the steel dial. Here's the blue dial two tone Daytona:
http://i1127.photobucket.com/albums/l627/saleen1979/rlx2/911002.jpg

I have the 2013-2014 Rolex product guide pdf, here's three pages from it showing Daytona dials - the first row 116520 are the Stainless Steel dials, white or black; the second group are the two-tone dials, varying depending on bracelet or strap:
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Side note for Canadians buying a new watch in the US - Canada normally charges 5% duty on Swiss-made watches imported to Canada. I found out that being charged that duty is at the discretion of the customs duty officer, if the Swiss watch is imported from the US. I caught them on a good day coming home to Canada through Vancouver on Monday, and they did not charge me the 5% duty on the Daytona, only the 5% Goods and Services Tax.

Another side note for Canadians who have imported a new watch from the US - Customs advises that you should keep with you when you travel outside Canada a copy of your Customs receipt along with your bill of sale from when you imported the watch - phone photos of the documents will suffice. This will prevent potential hassle when you return to Canada with a new-looking luxury watch on your wrist!