In 1988, on the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the first Cosmograph Daytona model, Rolex launched the first self-winding chronograph in its history. The watch housed the Rolex caliber 4030, based on Zenith’s El Primero movement with substantial modifications performed by Rolex. Fitted with a sapphire crystal for the first time, the Daytona’s case size was increased to 40 millimeters to house the new movement. In the ensuing decades, up until the in-house automatic chronograph caliber 4130 was introduced, the “Zenith” Daytona was produced in a wide array of metals, dial options, and sometimes anointed with precious gems and hardstone.

The present example, a 16528 in full 18K yellow gold, features a stunning and hardly ever seen white mother-of-pearl dial. Often seen with diamond-set hour markers, this configuration is both more rare and more restrained, with vertical Arabic hour markers instead. It is an elevated take on a simple white dial, with the mother-of-pearl shimmering and oscillating in the light.

Not only is the watch itself beautiful, but it is, in our opinion, completely unpolished with the original caseback sticker still present. It is accompanied with its full suite of accessories, including a guarantee paper mentioning the exact dial configuration. The retailer mentioned on the guarantee has its insignia emblazoned on the outer packaging as well, along with a slew of accompanying materials.