Second article of a serial series on the great rivalry between Omega e Rolex. Today we will see the discussion panel between Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster.
Rolex Daytona vs Omega Speedmaster: the story
Be it Omega Speedmaster the Daytona di Rolex have been the workhorses of their respective manufacturers for over sixty years. These chronographs can legitimately claim the title of pioneering the category of sports chronographs. Both, in fact, are born as robust timepieces, equipped with a chronograph function, with plexi glass and manual winding.
THEOmega Speedmaster the two chronographs were initially the most successful: the excellent readability, the twisted lyre-shaped lugs that perfectly match all types of straps, the fame deriving from participation in the Apollo missions, are elements that make this versatile timepiece a watch successfull.
Il Rolex Daytonainitially, it met with little consensus. The hand-wound chronographs, with the arrival of the Zenith El Primero and Heuer Monaco, they seem outdated. Even the Paul Newman Daytona is almost neglected when in production. Things change with the arrival of the Daytona Zenith in 1988, equipped with a sapphire crystal and an automatic movement derived from Zenith El Primero. The Daytona Zenith it's a success sensational, and sales also drag the hand-wound used, including the Paul Newman, which reaches very high prices.
Today, both the Rolex Daytona is the Omega Speedmaster they are offered as self-winding chronographs with sapphire crystal. Omega then adds smaller diameter versions - Speedmaster Reduced -, manually wound, with plexi glass… In short, there is a Speedmaster for all tastes.
Rolex Daytona vs Omega Speedmaster: the technique
Il Rolex Daytona has changed a lot, technically speaking, since its origins. Not only has it gone from a manual-winding mechanical movement to an automatic one: the case and sealing systems have also gradually changed, transforming a chronograph with pump pushers into one with screw-down pushers and a waterproof Oyster case. The most important versions in the history of the Rolex Daytona there are three: the original one, with manual movement and plexi glass, to which the famous one also belongs Paul Newman - A Daytona with dial with a particular color, much sought after by collectors -; the so-called "Rolex Daytona Zenith“, Which mounts an automatic movement derived from that of the excellent El Primero; the current version "Daytona ceramic" with Rolex in-house movement and scratch-resistant ceramic tachymeter bezel.
THEOmega Speedmaster, born, like the rival Dayton, with manual winding mechanical movement, plexy glass and pump buttons, it is gradually offered in many different versions. It is difficult to keep track of the changes that have occurred in the range Speedmasters. Suffice it to say that, today, to the classic "Moonwatch" manually wound with a movement identical to that of the XNUMXs, alongside the automatic version with the most innovative escapement system on the market, the Co-Axial, totally antimagnetic. There is, of course, no shortage of commemorative versions of the Apollo missions.
Rolex Daytona vs Omega Speedmaster: prices and market
Se the Omega Speedmaster boasts an illustrious history and avant-garde technique, it is in the market prices that the Rolex Daytona stands out. The chronograph of the House of the Crown, in its current version, the reference 116500, is sold at three times the list price. Much more affordable than the chronograph Omega, which in any case compared to the past has seen its prices increase significantly.
Choose a Omega Speedmaster or that you opt for a rolex daytona, in any case, you fall on your feet: both are very well executed luxury watches with easy resale and remarkable value retention. And you, which one do you prefer?
