Omega Speedmaster or Rolex Daytona.

NGO1

All of your points are spot on. However, lux product is anything but logical. When you are stepping out of a $10k bracket, you are crossing into ultra lux. At this point, design and engineering logics get tossed out the window. At this price point forward, it's entirely an emotional purchase.

Legacy watches aren't sold on their mechanical excellence. I bought ( well, hunted and jumped over 632 hoops while singing the alphabet in reverse) an AP because my boss couldn't get it. I make sure I wear it every Friday with short sleeves. Worth every penny.

JwRosenthal

This is the point I am trying to make to the OP- these are for totally different markets (not to say different buyers- as we have seen many here own both). It doesn’t matter that they are both watches made of similar materials and function similarly. It’s how they are marketed and who is buying them that is the biggest difference. You can’t separate that from the equation.

The Speedmaster has historically been just a well made utility sport watch. It’s was never viewed as “lux” and in fact when looking at literature prior to the last 25 years it was always in the sport section of Omega’s catalogs and not the “luxury” section like the precious metal watches were. It is priced higher than many that are just as capable at their jobs but not so astronomical that it can’t be afforded by many people who plan for their nice watch purchase and can walk in off the street and buy it.
The Daytona on the other hand has been one of Rolex’s top tier watches for at least 30 years. They have marketed it as luxury and aspirational. It’s limited supply compared to the Speedmaster speaks to their desire to keep it exclusive.

JwRosenthal

Since we are comparing all things relative and superior, perhaps we should throw this into the mix against the Speedmaster and the Daytona.

Trusted by military forces for decades, far more complications than either, superior accuracy in timekeeping and has also been to space…..oh, sorry Daytona…womp-womp.

Kmmdad57

Don't see the far superior. Don't see it. Not the market hype, but the watches themselves.

pdxleaf

It's like it was designed by a committee who had a list of items that a watch was supposed to have. It looks over designed, like a new car with too many curves, bumpers too big, too many different materials stuck on, with no place for the eye to rest.

blufinz52

Did we ever establish if Steve McQueen was the coolest man ever? I forget.

pdxleaf

You like the Daytona, right? You think it's better than the Speedy. Nothing I say can convince you otherwise. In fact, you probably think I actually like the Daytona but am just saying I don't, because who doesn't like the Daytona, right?

To me, the modern Daytona looks like Lego made a watch. It's a mismatch of bits and pieces that don't blend well. It's like it was designed by a committee who had a list of items that a watch was supposed to have.