Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO Hong Kong Monday, May 30, 2016 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: 1989
    Reference No: 16520, inside case back stamped 16500
    Movement No: 59'396
    Case No: L244799
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, 165 mm. maximum length, end link stamped 503
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp stamped Rolex reference 78360
    Dimensions: 39 mm. diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: With Rolex service receipt dated 23 January 2015.
    Literature: For another example of a reference 16520 with Arabic numerals, however with black dial, please see Ultimate Rolex Daytona by Pucci Papaleo, page 560 to 563.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Throughout the production of the reference 16520, Rolex has experimented with various dial layouts and configurations. The present reference 16520 wristwatch is fitted with an extremely rare dial layout featuring applied luminous Arabic numerals and subsidiary dials fitted with black chapter rings. As opposed to applied baton numerals, Arabic numerals are commonly seen for the Daytona models in gold. The present example in stainless steel is in well preserved condition, to have retained such unusual features, is extremely rare indeed.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    Founded in 1905 England by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis as Wilsdorf & Davis, it soon became known as the Rolex Watch Company in 1915, moving its headquarters to Geneva in 1919. Like no other company, the success of the wristwatch can be attributed to many of Rolex's innovations that made them one of the most respected and well-known of all luxury brands. These innovations include their famous "Oyster" case — the world's first water resistant and dustproof watch case, invented in 1926 — and their "Perpetual" — the first reliable self-winding movement for wristwatches launched in 1933. They would form the foundation for Rolex's Datejust and Day-Date, respectively introduced in 1945 and 1956, but also importantly for their sports watches, such as the Explorer, Submariner and GMT-Master launched in the mid-1950s.

    One of its most famous models is the Cosmograph Daytona. Launched in 1963, these chronographs are without any doubt amongst the most iconic and coveted of all collectible wristwatches. Other key collectible models include their most complicated vintage watches, including references 8171 and 6062 with triple calendar and moon phase, "Jean Claude Killy" triple date chronograph models and the Submariner, including early "big-crown" models and military-issued variants.

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235

Ref. 16520, inside case back stamped 16500
A fine and extremely rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with Arabic numerals and bracelet

1989
39 mm. diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
HK$200,000 - 400,000 

Sold for HK$250,000

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: TWO

Hong Kong Auction 31 May 2016