19
Rolex
Ref. 16520 caseback stamped 16500
Cosmograph Daytona
An excellently preserved and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with black dial and bracelet
- Estimate
- CHF12,000 - 18,000€11,100 - 16,700$11,900 - 17,800
CHF25,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- circa 1995
- Reference No
- 16520 caseback stamped 16500
- Movement No
- 96'434
- Case No
- W670'142
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Rolex stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 78390, endlinks stamped 503B, max. length 210mm.
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex folding deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 39mm. Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by hangtags and plastic protective ring on the bezel
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
For the Daytona’s 25th anniversary, Rolex surprised the public at the 1988 Basel fair by introducing the first self winding chronograph model in its history. The newly launched reference 16520 was powered by a derivative of Zenith’s El Primero calibre, substantially modified by Rolex. It was also the first Daytona to be fitted with a sapphire crystal and a new, larger diameter, now being 39mm. It was an immediate success, resulting in unprecedented demand that would require clients to have to wait as long as seven years to purchase one.
Without a doubt, the 16520 elevated the Daytona to its current mythical status.
In unworn and untouched condition, the present lot is a “must-have” for the discerning Daytona collector.
Without a doubt, the 16520 elevated the Daytona to its current mythical status.
In unworn and untouched condition, the present lot is a “must-have” for the discerning Daytona collector.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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