Hey guys it’s me again, today I just received my 6263 Paul Newman Daytona Tiffany signed from kilowattore . All credit goes to him, as you will see from the pics later this is a gorgeous watch. If you can’t tell already I’m a Daytona nut, specifically a 4 digit Daytona nut and what is the epitome of a 4 digit Daytona rep collection? That’s right, a Valjoux 72 movement Daytona. Of course, I could go the franken route and with a gen dial or converted 727 but that’s just another price range.
Besides the ‘review’ , there will also be a comparison with my other Kilo built Daytona, a cartel/JKF modded version.
Do note some things / FAQ:
VALJOUX 72 (White dial tiffany):
Valjoux 72 movement
Ruby Case , Caseback, Bezel, Crystal and Pushers
Ruby dial
Raffles Jubilee
Phong hands
Ageing by Kilo
Cartel/JKF Modded (Black dial RCO):
Stock cartel Pushers, case , Caseback, Bezel, bracelet
Ruby dial
T21 domed crystal (I cant rmb from where)
Seagull ST19/venus
I don’t remember where the hands came from
Subdial mod to accommodate ruby/viet dial
VAL = Valjoux 72 Build
Cartel = JKF/Cartel Build
CASE
VAL above … Cartel below
Although the pics don’t show it so clearly, the midcase for the VAL is a little slimmer than the Cartel. Thickness overall including crystal is about the same for both so idk what people are on about with cartels being very thick.
DIAL
Well, there’s nothing much to talk about here, both dials are from ruby so both are about the same quality. The Cartel dial has a very slight step to the outer minute track whilst the VAL dial is more raised.
PUSHERS
Okay this shit is a big deal to me, as you can see, the VAL pushers stick out way more than the Cartel ones and look much nicer. The VAL pushers are P302 spec Daytona pushers and look very pretty compared to the rough appearance of the Cartel ones. The placement of the pushers is also another point to take note. Although both asymmetrical, the VAL pushers are further away from the crown than the Cartel ones (more spread apart) by like 0.3-5mm. This could just be due to the size of the pushers but idk.
MOVEMENT
Okay, so at this point you may be like: “Jeez Ivan, you’re a dumbass, why would you pay more than 3x for a Daytona that is like only a little more gen spec”. Alright boys, take a look at this beauty of a movement. Granted, the ST19 is still beautiful as most mechanical chronographs are, but the Valjoux has so much depth and complication to it. One of my favourite movements of all time.
TACTILITY
So, this is won’t need pictures.
Valjoux: Chronograph activation is smooth and springy. To give a comparison, it’s kind of like clicking a gel pen. (Think pilot G2 gel pen) Winding is crunchy in a good way (John Mayer Hodinkee part 2) and smooth. Hour subdial actually works due to being a genuine Valjoux 72 movement.
Cartel St19/Venus 75: Chronograph activation is like breaking glass, a sharp crack after you hit a wall of resistance. Winding is also crunchy but not as smooth as the Valjoux. Hour subdial is frozen.
MY FEELINGS ON BOTH
Okay look, I said at the start that this isn’t a technical comparison and it’s true. I’ll now give my personal thoughts on both and why I like them.
VALJOUX:
I got this watch partly due to my love for daytonas but also to commemorate a significant event in my life. It will be a forever watch, maybe swapping out parts here and there but the movement will forever be the same. Some may not understand why you would spend Gen watch money on a rep but to me my daytonas are all unique and special in my heart, this one especially so. I enjoy the little extra lines of text, underlines, co-branding on vintage rolex that makes it a little special.
Cartel:
This was my first modded Daytona and I love it so much. The black dial Paul Newmans in my opinion look absolutely spankin’ and don’t have the flashiness of the white dials. Of course the pushers irk me, so eventually I’ll get a modder to swap them out to cousinsuk P302 pushers. In the meantime, this Daytona feels and wears as if it’s meant to be on my wrist. I have developed a deep personal attachment to this one and it stays super under the radar which I love. Kilo aged this watch to be very worn, to me it feels buttery and more importantly feels like it’s mine.
Some wrist shots and a family Daytona photo:
Note to kilo:
Thanks for doing these builds for me, they have brought me immeasurable happiness and now have a permanent place in my collection. Also this is a status update that the watch is great and all is well with it!
Note to newbies that want to get a Daytona:
Get a damn cartel modded Daytona, they are great for the money. If you’re into manual wind vintage chronographs this is the way.
Hope you guys enjoyed!
Ivan
Besides the ‘review’ , there will also be a comparison with my other Kilo built Daytona, a cartel/JKF modded version.
Do note some things / FAQ:
- NO I’M NOT SELLING
- NO you can’t buy these stock from TDs, you’ll have to get them built by a modder
- This review isn’t really about Kilo’s work, so no mean comments, he did a terrific job
- The cartel is about 850 Euros and the Val 72 costs in excess of 3500 euros
- Some of the pics have a little colour editing to it to match how I perceive these IRL
- This is not really a technical comparison, just skin deep to represent what you get
- I have ugly wrists please excuse them heheh.
VALJOUX 72 (White dial tiffany):
Valjoux 72 movement
Ruby Case , Caseback, Bezel, Crystal and Pushers
Ruby dial
Raffles Jubilee
Phong hands
Ageing by Kilo
Cartel/JKF Modded (Black dial RCO):
Stock cartel Pushers, case , Caseback, Bezel, bracelet
Ruby dial
T21 domed crystal (I cant rmb from where)
Seagull ST19/venus
I don’t remember where the hands came from
Subdial mod to accommodate ruby/viet dial
VAL = Valjoux 72 Build
Cartel = JKF/Cartel Build
CASE
VAL above … Cartel below
Although the pics don’t show it so clearly, the midcase for the VAL is a little slimmer than the Cartel. Thickness overall including crystal is about the same for both so idk what people are on about with cartels being very thick.
- Note that the acrylic crystals add crazy height to these watches, so you may find that some people state that the thickness is 15mm whilst some state that it’s 12mm.
DIAL
Well, there’s nothing much to talk about here, both dials are from ruby so both are about the same quality. The Cartel dial has a very slight step to the outer minute track whilst the VAL dial is more raised.
PUSHERS
Okay this shit is a big deal to me, as you can see, the VAL pushers stick out way more than the Cartel ones and look much nicer. The VAL pushers are P302 spec Daytona pushers and look very pretty compared to the rough appearance of the Cartel ones. The placement of the pushers is also another point to take note. Although both asymmetrical, the VAL pushers are further away from the crown than the Cartel ones (more spread apart) by like 0.3-5mm. This could just be due to the size of the pushers but idk.
MOVEMENT
Okay, so at this point you may be like: “Jeez Ivan, you’re a dumbass, why would you pay more than 3x for a Daytona that is like only a little more gen spec”. Alright boys, take a look at this beauty of a movement. Granted, the ST19 is still beautiful as most mechanical chronographs are, but the Valjoux has so much depth and complication to it. One of my favourite movements of all time.
TACTILITY
So, this is won’t need pictures.
Valjoux: Chronograph activation is smooth and springy. To give a comparison, it’s kind of like clicking a gel pen. (Think pilot G2 gel pen) Winding is crunchy in a good way (John Mayer Hodinkee part 2) and smooth. Hour subdial actually works due to being a genuine Valjoux 72 movement.
Cartel St19/Venus 75: Chronograph activation is like breaking glass, a sharp crack after you hit a wall of resistance. Winding is also crunchy but not as smooth as the Valjoux. Hour subdial is frozen.
MY FEELINGS ON BOTH
Okay look, I said at the start that this isn’t a technical comparison and it’s true. I’ll now give my personal thoughts on both and why I like them.
VALJOUX:
I got this watch partly due to my love for daytonas but also to commemorate a significant event in my life. It will be a forever watch, maybe swapping out parts here and there but the movement will forever be the same. Some may not understand why you would spend Gen watch money on a rep but to me my daytonas are all unique and special in my heart, this one especially so. I enjoy the little extra lines of text, underlines, co-branding on vintage rolex that makes it a little special.
Cartel:
This was my first modded Daytona and I love it so much. The black dial Paul Newmans in my opinion look absolutely spankin’ and don’t have the flashiness of the white dials. Of course the pushers irk me, so eventually I’ll get a modder to swap them out to cousinsuk P302 pushers. In the meantime, this Daytona feels and wears as if it’s meant to be on my wrist. I have developed a deep personal attachment to this one and it stays super under the radar which I love. Kilo aged this watch to be very worn, to me it feels buttery and more importantly feels like it’s mine.
Some wrist shots and a family Daytona photo:
Note to kilo:
Thanks for doing these builds for me, they have brought me immeasurable happiness and now have a permanent place in my collection. Also this is a status update that the watch is great and all is well with it!
Note to newbies that want to get a Daytona:
Get a damn cartel modded Daytona, they are great for the money. If you’re into manual wind vintage chronographs this is the way.
Hope you guys enjoyed!
Ivan
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