The Ultimate Daytona Buying Guide (Ref. 116520/116500)

[gdilla]

Hey everyone,

A few years ago, I built a Daytona 116500 franken using the Noob V4 as a base. I upgraded it with a CF bezel, ARF bracelet, genuine black dial, genuine hands, and a gasket from Esslinger. It’s been my daily for years, but recently, it's developed some issues:

- The chronograph seconds hand no longer resets perfectly to 12 (off by about 2mm).

- The bottom pusher is completely non-functional and unscrews entirely when I try to use it.

It’s been bothering me, so I’ve decided to start fresh with a new rep base and transfer some of my existing parts. After hours of research, I’m still unsure which Daytona would be the best base for this build. I'm also based in Thailand, so if anyone has any trusted and reputable modders, please let me know.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I’d truly appreciate it—and I’m happy to offer a cash reward for your time and expertise.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Reaps]

Hey everyone,

A few years ago, I built a Daytona 116500 franken using the Noob V4 as a base. I upgraded it with a CF bezel, ARF bracelet, genuine black dial, genuine hands, and a gasket from Esslinger. It’s been my daily for years, but recently, it's developed some issues:

- The chronograph seconds hand no longer resets perfectly to 12 (off by about 2mm).

- The bottom pusher is completely non-functional and unscrews entirely when I try to use it.

It’s been bothering me, so I’ve decided to start fresh with a new rep base and transfer some of my existing parts. After hours of research, I’m still unsure which Daytona would be the best base for this build. I'm also based in Thailand, so if anyone has any trusted and reputable modders, please let me know.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I’d truly appreciate it—and I’m happy to offer a cash reward for your time and expertise.

Thanks in advance!

BTF base is probably the option I would go. CLEAN also is fine. Find a trust worthy watch maker in Thailand and swap the parts over. I'm sure there are loads of them willing to work on replicas in SEA. Add a gen crystal or Deep if you're not seeking perfection.

 

[jakehd]

Hey everyone,

A few years ago, I built a Daytona 116500 franken using the Noob V4 as a base. I upgraded it with a CF bezel, ARF bracelet, genuine black dial, genuine hands, and a gasket from Esslinger. It’s been my daily for years, but recently, it's developed some issues:

- The chronograph seconds hand no longer resets perfectly to 12 (off by about 2mm).

- The bottom pusher is completely non-functional and unscrews entirely when I try to use it.

It’s been bothering me, so I’ve decided to start fresh with a new rep base and transfer some of my existing parts. After hours of research, I’m still unsure which Daytona would be the best base for this build. I'm also based in Thailand, so if anyone has any trusted and reputable modders, please let me know.

If anyone can point me in the right direction, I’d truly appreciate it—and I’m happy to offer a cash reward for your time and expertise.

Thanks in advance!

If you've been using it for years, it may be time for service. A watchmaker should be able to determine what's wrong with the bottom pushers if it bothers you.

 

[Kaer]

116520 from clean has a weakness now in the case but still is best overall

Thanks, this weakness is something of occasional or always present? BTF + Clean dial could be a valid option?

 

[Lovegmt73]

which one is the best 116520 Clean dial? White or black?

 

[Hobbes778]

Sure, if you don't have a Panda, get one, but I said before, the Clean and BTF Panda have been out for many years, anyone who wants a Panda already has one, very rarely do people buy many of the same model, for me I have a Clean v3 with deep, why bother with another VS 116500? That's why they don't sell that well

So if I'm looking for a unmodded 116500 Panda, VSF would be the way to go?

 

[Reaps]

So if I'm looking for a unmodded 116500 Panda, VSF would be the way to go?

Only you can answer that question. If you're on a budget I prefer BTF. I lean towards Clean + Deep.

 

[Reaps]

I just swapped the 116500 case into the 116520, no issue, both Clean, didn't even need a gasket switch.

The 116520 bezel is a complete BITCH to remove

 

[Lovegmt73]