It’s a Sunday morning and you all know what it means. It’s time for another Sunday morning showdown. This week we combined two legendary chronographs as we found out we weren’t attacking each other. It’s been about a year since Omega released the White Dial Moonwatch, but it feels like it was a long time ago, highlighting the incredible pace for the brand to release new watches. White Dial Speedy will face the White Dial Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. The current version was released in 2023, but it feels like it’s been here forever. It’s time to find out which of these two famous chronographs will win the crown in this Sunday morning showdown.
When the current White Dial Moonwatch came out, we placed it against the counterpart of that black dial. But to my surprise, we never pitted it against the white dial Daytona. As a result, this fight is about the white dial versions of both watches. Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch ref. 310.30.42.50.04.001 received many praise when it debuted last year. Currently available for 9,000 euros on stainless steel bracelets. Surprisingly, it’s the same price as last year’s introduction. White dial Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. The 126500LN was announced between the watch and Wonders 2023 with a black dial counterpart. Currently, the price is 16,100 euros, which is significantly more expensive than Omega. Still, it tells us that price is not a deciding factor for most people. Find it!
Last week, Sunday morning showdown…
Before we do, let’s take a quick look at last week’s fight. In last Sunday’s showdown, Nomos Club’s Sports Neomatic World Timer crushed Frederick’s Constant High Life World Timer. Nomos won 71% of the votes, leaving just 29% behind the Frederick constant. Club Sports Neomatik WorldTimer’s victory wasn’t necessarily a surprise, but the margins may have been slightly larger than expected. The comments showed slightly balanced results based on Nomos’ practical drawbacks, such as having no dates and not a true World Timer. But in the end, the numbers don’t lie. The popular new Nomos has been a comfortable victory. It is expected that there will be more close results this week, so now it’s over for Jorg and Mike to make their point.
Jorg: Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch ref. 310.30.42.50.04.001
Let’s make this great and shorter, microphone, as most people have already decided. Let me start by saying that I can’t use my usual “I prefer black dials over white dials” argument. In the battle of the white dial, it must be about something else.
As for the Speedmaster, that’s not really that difficult for me. As explained in previous showdowns featuring both current moonwatches, the White Dial Speedmaster is far more exciting than the Black Dial Speedmaster.
2008 Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project Le
As for looks, my favorite Speedmaster is the 2008 limited edition Speedmaster Alaska Project with a completely white dial. Another favorite is the 2015 Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award. They show that the visual glow of the White Dial Speedy is truly exciting. Finally, there was the Speedmaster “Albino” in the Italian market to celebrate Speedmaster’s 40th anniversary. It shows the great visual potential of the White Dial Speedmaster, so it makes sense that a similar version of the current Moonwatch looks good.
It’s not just a white dial on a Moonwatch
However, Omega has ensured that the Moonwatch white dial is clinical and unsimplified. Instead, the brand chose to equip the watch with a white varnished dial that looks very clear. Additionally, the depth and details of the dial have ample detail thanks to the stepped tracks and concentric grain of the subdial. These details instantly make the white dial look better than the rather soulless white dial of the Rolex Daytona.
In the next step, Omega designers chose to contrast black PVD-coated hands and markers and white lacquered dials, polished with diamonds treated with white Super Luminova. These black details match the black bezel inserts nicely, ensuring a balanced, well thought out look. In comparison, the white dial on Daytona looks quite busy. In particular, there is a wealth of text in the top half.
What’s more, there’s always a problem with two chronograph counters, which are slightly higher than the center pinion. This is one of these “what you see is invisible” elements, and always stands out immediately. Ultimately, for a list of reasons, I prefer the Speedmaster dial.
But that’s not where it ends. In addition to my issues with the white dial on the Daytona, there is also the obvious problem with the Daytona screw-in pusher. They use chronographs unrealistically, and when one comes off, the watch looks strange.
As we all know, there is no practical reason to continue using this style of pusher. What’s more, the combination of a pusher, crown and crown guard creates an entire visual unit on the right side of the watch. Let’s say it’s a acquired taste and I don’t like it more than Speedy.
The difference in price between Moonwatch and Daytona is difficult to ignore
That brings me to my final point: the price difference between the two watches. Currently, the White Dial Moonwatch price is 9,000 euros, while the White Dial Daytona retails for 16,100 euros.
Let me start by saying I’m not a fan of the sudden priced hiking that Omega introduced shortly after the introduction of the Black Dial Moonwatch. However, it was a great surprise to see Omega not increasing the price of its watches in the last 12 months. Meanwhile, Daytona prices rose from 14,850 euros at this point with an introduction of 16,100 euros.
Honestly, the price rise is no longer surprising in the world of watches, but the 7k Euro price difference between today’s candidates surprised me, Mike, a bit. It’s sudden and certainly a factor that makes some of my decision to vote for Omega every time. And it doesn’t even mention that people who want Daytona willing to pay 16,100 euros for one. In reality, most people even pay more in the secondary/parallel market. But let’s stick to the prices on the list and conclude that that is the last factor in my list of reasons why I choose the Speedmaster every time. But please tell me why you choose the microphone for Daytona.
Mike: Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 126500ln
Perhaps the fight between Rolex Daytona and Omega Speedmaster’s professional Moonwatch appears to be biased. That’s not the case in terms of voting. There is a big price gap. But here, they are two of the most recognizable chronographs on the market. One, Daytona is a child with a bewildering waiting list and markup poster. The other is that the White Dial Moonwatch is essentially new and looks like the answer to years of requests from fans. So, for that light-paper-like intro, why did I choose Daytona?
It’s a difficult choice, but Daytona is still my choice
I have been documented in multiple podcasts and articles to request a steel white dial moonwatch. But when it came, I was overwhelmed. I was looking for something with a matte dial and printed index. Instead, Omega offered a premium watch with applied indexes, shiny dials, and red text spots. In fact, the brand offered watches more lined up along the Daytona.
It’s clear that the White Dial Moonwatch is far better than photography and rendering, but Daytona is still my choice. If I change the battle with the Black Dial Model, I will be Team Omega, but the order will be reversed when the color of the dial disappears. There’s something about the balance between this watch and its thick ceramic bezel. I’m not a Modern Rolex fanboy, but I’m happy to wear this model.
Despite all the writing, damn engaging
I usually prefer manual winding watches, but in speedy cases it can even lead to less writing on the dial. Daytona has a lot of text under the Coronet logo, but somehow it works. Perhaps it will become very recognizable and accepted. Also, I couldn’t be too concerned about the placement of the subdials just above the central pinion. The black rings around the register create a balanced look, and are told everything, making the watch look more compact than the Speedmaster. Of course, at 40mm, a healthy 2mm will be smaller. Regarding the under-screw pushers, I like them. Certainly, it prevents them from being used if they are not removed, but the watch looks robust and, oddly, it looks like a tool for parents.
Sweet automatic internal movement
The Rolex equips the Daytona with an in-house automatic caliber 4131, which is sweet for most accounts. With a 72-hour power reserve, chronometer certification and an average accuracy of ±2 seconds per day, there’s little to dislike. Of course, if manual winding movement is required, nothing will convince you of the benefits of this caliber. I’ve learned to appreciate this move and its contribution, or lack of, to the overall thickness of the watch, although it is usually at that wavelength. Yes, the Daytona without a micro rotor is only 11.9mm thick compared to the 13.2mm moonwatch.
Intangible assets
Both of these watches have fantastic bracelets. Each has its own problems due to the refined links, but they are certainly genuine luxury items. As food for thought, I credit that simple one link to Rolex. Next is the discussion of “daily use.” The Daytona is certainly a magnet of attention, and it can spell trouble in some places. However, if safety is not a concern, the Daytona is more versatile. Features such as screw down crowns and 100m water resistance assessment can handle almost everything.
Elephants in the Room – Pricing and Availability
Yes, Daytona is virtually impossible to purchase from advertising without purchasing history and long waits. It has been like this since 2011 (at least in America) and will likely stay that way forever. Because even at 16,100 euros it’s a great watch. It’s almost twice the price of an Omega, but if you need to sell it, you could potentially reclaim your initial spending. I say resale isn’t an issue, but I’m happy to know it’s worth it if the watch costs.
Time to vote!
We were previously with these two giants in the sports chronograph market. However, this is the first time I’ve put together a white dial version straight out of my head. Both are excellent watches with a wide range of specs, sizes and movement styles. The question, as always, is how you vote and why. Please let us know in the comments section below.
Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch vs. Rolex Cosmograph Daytona – White Dial
