It’s Sunday so it’s time to wake up with a nice coffee and another Sunday morning showdown. This week, Mike and Jorg chose two absolute heavy batters in this stainless steel chronograph battle. Mike chose the current Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126500LN, while Jorg chose the Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 Ref. 311.30.40.30.01.001. Which of the two will crown the king of stainless steel Cronos? Find it!
Surprisingly, we have never had a Sunday morning showdown between these two models. Some of us were sure we had fought them against each other before. After all, we haven’t. So this gives you a great opportunity to find out which chronograph you prefer, Fratelli. One option is the current Rolex Cosmograph Daytona stainless steel. The brand’s latest generation of famous chronographs debuted in 2023 between watches and wonders. It introduces a slightly updated design and a new caliber 4131, and is currently on sale for 16,100 euros. Today, it will face off against the Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 “Ed White,” released by Omega in 2020. The ultimate stainless steel Speedmaster is a favorite here at Fratero and is currently retailing for 17,100 euros. Find out if you can defeat the current Daytona.
Last week, Sunday morning showdown…
But first, let’s quickly sum up last week’s fight. Among them, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300m “Orange” took over the Tudor Pelagos Ultra. The sailors won. The latest addition to the Seamaster Diver 300m lineup earned 56% of the votes, leaving Pelagos Ultra with 44%. In the comments, the feelings were the opposite, and many seemed to support Tudor. In the end, the numbers don’t lie, so they tell us that Omega won this fight. Will the brand win another victory in this week’s epic battle of chronographs? Go to Mike and Jorg to file their case before you vote.
Jorg: Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 “Ed White”
Let’s start with a little confession: Rolex Daytona has grown quite a bit for me now. I was not a fan of modern, automatic Daytona, but the gold Daytona of the current generation is totally impressive. Yes, you read it correctly. I’ve recently really warmed up to the gold version of the Crown’s prestigious chronograph.
After a recent visit to the Rolex office in Brussels, I was very impressed with the lineup of new models. As you know, the newly introduced yellow gold version with a turquoise lacquer dial is one of my favorites of the year. And with the Fluth version with a chocolate dial, the brand gave the collection another shock, so they say Daytona doesn’t like lying.
However, the modern version of the stainless steel Daytona has always kept me cold. From the first automatic Daytona ref. Current references from 16520. 126500LN, I’ve always thought it was a bit bland. In particular, the white dial version is a yawn-inducing watch at best. The switch to the black Cerachrome bezel helped make the Daytona more attractive, but I’m not visually exciting yet. A quick glance at the Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 “Ed White” makes me completely forget about Daytona. The Speedmaster Caliber 321 is a much more fascinating storyteller and a more fascinating watch to admire. Plus, it comes with a fantastic modern version of the legendary movement.
The feelings I feel about Speedmaster Caliber 321 are different
The Speedmaster Caliber 321 is produced in a dedicated production facility that carries a single watchmaker, making this watch a great emotional storyteller in this battle compared to the ultimate mass-produced chronograph. I have no doubts about the quality or technical brilliance of the Daytona, and I have no discussion of its location in the history of the watch. However, it doesn’t have the same emotional value as the Speedmaster Calibre 321 has. The easiest way to put it down is that Daytona is just another Rolex, but the Speedmaster Caliber 321 is definitely more than just an Omega.
As a bit of a side note, Robert Jean wrote many stories about his 321 glow. If you want to know more about the Speedmaster Caliber 321, I recommend reading his article on what makes watches special. You can also read his detailed reviews and thoughts on whether he will buy it again. For those who don’t know, Modern Speed -Master Caliber 321 was based on Gene Cernan’s Speedmaster 105.003. This watch is manufactured according to the latest production standards and is a complete reissue of the third generation Speedy.
Specially manufactured facility for Speedmaster Caliber 321
But there’s more to it. As I said, Omega created a production facility dedicated to beer in 321. I was able to visit it a few years ago. All watches, including the movement, are assembled twice and adjusted by a single watchmaker. He or she puts it together, adjust/adjust it, disassemble it, clean it, and assemble it again.
As a result, the level of quality control allows Omega to create watches that stand out from all other Speedmasters. If you’ve ever placed a Speedmaster Caliber 321 on your wrist, you definitely could see and feel it was different. I have been able to try Robert Jean’s Speedmaster Caliber 321 many times and it emits great quality. In particular, the finish is on a different level compared to a regular Speedmaster. The contrast between the brush and polished area, tolerance and overall feel makes it much better than the Daytona.
Detailed details
To tell the full story, the watch features a 47.8mm lug-to-lug and a 13mm thick 39.7mm stainless steel case. This classic straight lug case features a black galvanized step dial with three registers showing beautifully refined concentric grains. The details and finish of the dial are stunning, blowing Daytona’s candid dial out of the water. The speedy bezel features a black ceramic insert and the sapphire crystal protecting the dial has an etched Omega logo in the center.
Turn the watch and get a shining view of the Sedona Gold-plated Omega Caliber 321. This manual winding movement is a fantastic modern remake of the iconic 321, the only Speedmaster caliber used on the moon. The Modern Calibre 321 is beautifully finished and features a healthy 55-hour power reserve. From the story and design to the fantastic movement, all of this combines to make the Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 easy to choose in this chronograph battle. But what’s the reason why you think Mike and Daytona are better?
Mike: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
On most Sundays, I seem to be sparring with my buddy Jorg now. It’s a shame because we are good friends, but it “is another violation.” This week, it’s another tough battle for Speedmaster 321 to take on the latest Rolex Daytona. I chose to protect Daytona. why? Well, I’m not known for falling in love with modern Rolex watches. However, Daytona is a little different.
It’s easy for me
Look, I thought it was amazing that Omega decided to regain the 321 caliber. The idea of reviving the caliber is something that rarely happens. What’s more, it’s an incredible event for vintage fans. I also admire the Speed -Master Caliber 321, but I would like to see the other watches move. But the main reason I chose Daytona today comes down to the fatal combination of price and history. At 17,100 euros, the 321 is extremely expensive. It also reminds me of an argument I had with a friend a week ago while he was wearing his vintage 105.003. That is, he asked why someone would buy a new one when they could have fewer great vintage examples. Guys, I don’t have a good answer to this.
Daytona isn’t perfect, but it’s very good
Daytona, meanwhile, is not fighting history at 16,100 euros. In stainless steel, there are certainly no older models. Furthermore, this watch is very similar to previous references, but instead of a reissue, it is a modern watch. Yes, there are details I don’t like, such as the automatic movement instead of the manual winding caliber, but at least the watch is only 11.9mm thick. Next, there are polished central links, but they are easy enough to correct if they are really annoying.
On the positive side, Daytona is the king of value if you can find it in a retail store (luck!). And it’s actually a brand in itself. Liked or disliked it, and watches became an engine. The flash factor bothers me, but the watch is very good on the wrist. The 40mm case fits beautifully, and the bracelet is the top layer.
Daytona has options
With the hype surrounding the 321 Speedmaster almost subsided, Omega is making a relatively easy move. The white dial version makes a great addition. With Daytona, Rolex is already in the move. The 126500LN is available with a black or white dial. Both loosely feature a panda or reverse panda look with contrasting rings on each subdial. It is clearly visible against the black Cerachrome external taphimeter bezel. I think the white dial model is particularly convincing.
4131 has an impressive caliber
Rolex launched the 4131 in 2023 as an evolution of the 4130 automatic chronograph movement. It has an impressive caliber, with a power reserve of 72 hours, chronometer certification, and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour. Of course, it has a pillar wheel. As mentioned before, manual winding movements are usually my preference, but that’s no longer an expectation for Daytona. The key here is that it is thin and helps the wear resistance of the watch.
Time to choose
People tend to be clear whether they are on Team Omega or Team Rolex. In this showdown, put aside the usual stereotypes of each watch brand and choose what you want if you come as a beginner. As always, throw your vote and tell us why you chose your winner. Thank you for playing!
Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 vs Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
