826
Rolex
Ref. 16528, caseback stamped 16500
Cosmograph Daytona
A fine and very rare yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with “Floating Cosmograph” white porcelain dial, bracelet, warranty and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$630,000 - 940,000€69,600 - 104,000$80,800 - 121,000
HK$937,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- 1988
- Reference No
- 16528, caseback stamped 16500
- Case No
- R817’513
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Material
- 18K yellow gold
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 180 mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 78668
- Dimensions
- 39 mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied with punched guarantee stamped by Die Uhrenecke on June 22, 1989, Rolex wooden fitted presentation box, rubber case protector and outer packaging
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
In 1988, Rolex launched the brand’s very first automatic chronograph series, the reference 16520, with the reference 16528 for its yellow gold examples. The new model featured an automatic movement powered by the Zenith caliber 4030, of which Rolex brilliantly performed about 200 modifications to reach their rigorous standards.
The present watch is housed in a glossy 18K yellow gold case and features a wondrous “Mark I” white porcelain dial. A number of unique traits contribute to the zealous fervor towards the “Mark I” dial. The most significant trait is the “Floating Cosmograph” design as seen on the present watch, in which the “Cosmograph” lettering is separated from the other four lines of text “Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified”. In addition, the subsidiary dial above the six o'clock features an inverted “6" which looks like a “9”. It is also a tritium dial and is labeled as "T SWISS T" at six o'clock.
Adding another element of desirability, the “Mark 1” dial of the present watch is made of fine white porcelain. Today, the porcelain dial version with serial R has become hugely popular amongst watch collectors due to its rarity and imposing look. This watch also features a period-correct bezel which was marked till the unit of 200. The present lot is by all means a grail.
The present watch is housed in a glossy 18K yellow gold case and features a wondrous “Mark I” white porcelain dial. A number of unique traits contribute to the zealous fervor towards the “Mark I” dial. The most significant trait is the “Floating Cosmograph” design as seen on the present watch, in which the “Cosmograph” lettering is separated from the other four lines of text “Rolex, Oyster Perpetual, Superlative Chronometer, Officially Certified”. In addition, the subsidiary dial above the six o'clock features an inverted “6" which looks like a “9”. It is also a tritium dial and is labeled as "T SWISS T" at six o'clock.
Adding another element of desirability, the “Mark 1” dial of the present watch is made of fine white porcelain. Today, the porcelain dial version with serial R has become hugely popular amongst watch collectors due to its rarity and imposing look. This watch also features a period-correct bezel which was marked till the unit of 200. The present lot is by all means a grail.
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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