I’ve always been a watch guy. Not in a super fancy way, but I appreciate a good timepiece, you know? Lately, I’ve been really into the Rolex Daytona. It’s just a classic, and those ceramic bezels are slick. So, I started looking into getting one, specifically a stainless steel Daytona with a ceramic bezel, which, if you’re in the know, is the ref. 116500LN.
First, I did some digging online. Seems like this particular model was a big deal when it came out in 2016. Before that, you could only get the ceramic bezels on the more expensive precious metal versions. This was Rolex finally giving the people what they wanted—a stainless steel Daytona with that tough, scratch-resistant ceramic bezel. It’s called “Cerachrom,” which sounds fancy, but it basically means it’s super durable and won’t fade. That’s great, for me, I don’t want my watch to be corroded.
Then I started looking at prices. Man, these things are not cheap. I mean, I knew Rolexes were expensive, but the Daytona, especially this one, is in high demand. They’re hard to get at the official stores, which kinda makes sense. Rolex doesn’t churn these out like crazy; they keep the production numbers low, which keeps the demand high. Smart move on their part, I guess. And the price is almost $15,000. That is not a small number!
I looked around on some of those watch-trading websites, and the 116500LN is always among the most popular models. I even saw that they recently released an updated version, the 126500LN. They both use this special kind of stainless steel that Rolex makes, which is supposed to be extra tough. They call it 904L steel.
So, what did I do? I took a deep breath and started saving. No way was I getting one of these anytime soon without putting some serious money aside. It became a little goal of mine. I even set up a separate savings account just for the watch. Every month, I put a little bit away, even if it wasn’t much. It felt good to watch that number slowly tick up.
While I was saving, I kept researching. I watched videos, read articles, and even joined a couple of online forums dedicated to watches. I know, I know, it sounds a bit obsessive, but I was really into it! I learned more about the history of the Daytona, the different variations, and even how to spot a fake (which is a whole other world of craziness).
Finally, after a long time of saving and waiting, I had enough. It was a big moment! I didn’t buy it online, though. I wanted to see it in person, try it on, and make sure everything was legit. So, I went to a reputable watch dealer in my city. They had a 116500LN in stock, and it was even more beautiful in person than in the pictures.
Trying it on was a bit of a surreal experience. It felt substantial on my wrist, but not too heavy. The ceramic bezel looked amazing, and the way the light played off the dial was mesmerizing. I knew right then and there that I had to have it.
So, I took the plunge. I paid for the watch, and it was officially mine. I won’t lie; it was a big purchase, but I felt like I had really earned it. I had set a goal, worked hard, and achieved it. It wasn’t just about the watch anymore; it was about the journey and the satisfaction of getting something I truly wanted.
Now, I wear the Daytona almost every day. It’s a great conversation starter, and I love telling people about how I got it. It’s a reminder to myself that anything is possible with a little bit of patience and determination. And yeah, it’s a pretty darn good-looking watch, too.
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