Named after the important race itself, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona first introduced in the early 1960s has become the most iconic timepiece in the history of the firm and in the industry. In 1988, Rolex introduced their new ref. 16520 at the time, featuring for the first time, a case with crown guards and a self-winding movement marking the end to the manual Daytona era. A successful reference, collectors have regarded the present reference as a major milestone model for the firm. The reference was discontinued in 2000, replaced by the ref. 116520 with a Rolex in-house cal. 4130. The last examples of the ref. 16520 bears the “A” serial produced only for a short year.

The present example is Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 featuring a white dial and with an “A” serial features a rare and interesting caseback inscription “Winner Rolex 24 at Daytona 2000”. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most important 24-hour endurance races in the history of motorsport. Consigned by the original owner and former British racer, James Weaver who raced for the Dyson Racing team. Driving for the team since 1987 for twenty years, Weaver resulted IMSA GT Championship runner-up in 1995, won the 1998 United States Road Racing Championship and the 2000 and 2001 Rolex Sports Car Series, and collected two vice-championships in the 2004 and 2006 American Le Mans Series. The present ref. 16520 was presented along with his winning title in the 2000 Daytona 24 Hour Race, Sports Racing Prototype division. Starting on the speedway at pole position with the fastest race lap at 1:41.002, Weaver raced in his No. 20 Riley & Scott Ford MKIII along with co-drivers Rob Dyson, Max Papis and Elliot Forbes Robinson with endurance and excellence and claimed their victory.

Held annually, the winner of the race was gifted with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with its case back inscribed “Winner” with its specific year of the race. But the present example has a nice twist to the story, the accessories were mismatched during the gift ceremony with his teammates and the present owner has kept everything intact. The watch is in excellent, possible unpolished condition. The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 “Winner” is a fantastic piece to add to the collection of both motorsport enthusiasts and collectors of fine sports wristwatches.