8058
Rolex
Ref. 16520
Cosmograph Daytona
An early and very rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “Floating Cosmograph” white dial, bracelet and presentation box
- Estimate
- HK$220,000 - 440,000€24,100 - 48,200$28,200 - 56,400
HK$355,600
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1989, Switzerland
- Reference No
- 16520
- Movement No
- 210’088
- Case No
- R976’065, caseback stamped “16500”
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78360”, endlinks stamped “503”, max length 195 mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped “M6” and “78360”
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex cardholder, instruction manual, product literature, Rolex service receipt dated 4 April 2018, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
- In celebration of the Daytona’s 25th anniversary, Rolex unveiled its first self-winding chronograph model, the reference 16520, at Baselworld in 1988. Technically impressive, it was powered by the automatic Zenith El Primero caliber, significantly modified by Rolex. Over the years, this milestone timepiece has become a favorite among collectors, with rare examples such as the early “R” series chronographs, including the present watch.
- While the popularity of the reference 16520 has surged in recent years, few automatic Cosmograph Daytonas are as cherished as the first-generation “R Serial” models. Unlike later examples, the Cosmograph script on these models is set further apart from the first four lines of text, giving it a unique floating appearance on the dial. Notably, the “inverted 6” on the 6 o’clock subsidiary register is highly sought after by collectors today. The reference 16520 was also the first Daytona to feature a sapphire crystal and a larger case diameter of 40 mm, equipped with the rare 200 graduation bezel, later models would have a bezel calibrated to 400 units.
- The present watch comes with its presentation box and was serviced at Rolex in 2018, during which the crown and sapphire crystal were replaced as part of the overhaul.
- While the popularity of the reference 16520 has surged in recent years, few automatic Cosmograph Daytonas are as cherished as the first-generation “R Serial” models. Unlike later examples, the Cosmograph script on these models is set further apart from the first four lines of text, giving it a unique floating appearance on the dial. Notably, the “inverted 6” on the 6 o’clock subsidiary register is highly sought after by collectors today. The reference 16520 was also the first Daytona to feature a sapphire crystal and a larger case diameter of 40 mm, equipped with the rare 200 graduation bezel, later models would have a bezel calibrated to 400 units.
- The present watch comes with its presentation box and was serviced at Rolex in 2018, during which the crown and sapphire crystal were replaced as part of the overhaul.
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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