818
Rolex
Ref. 116528
Cosmograph Daytona
A rare and early yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with black dial, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Full-Cataloguing
- Very early movement number 0’000’053
- Well-preserved in excellent condition
- Full set complete with punched guarantee and box
When discussing the key differences between a 5-digit and a 6-digit reference Daytona, collectors often highlight the groundbreaking introduction of Rolex's first in-house self-winding chronograph movement, the cal. 4130, as well as the repositioning of the seconds register to the 6 o’clock mark. This development marks a significant milestone in the brand’s history.
The present Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116528, dating from circa 2000 and bearing a “P” serial number, is particularly special and unusual. It belongs to one of the earliest batches of this new reference. The significance can be highlighted by the very early movement number 0’000’053, which signifies that this current watch can be the 53th cal. 4130 the manufacture has ever produced.
With its hefty and luxurious wrist presence, the watch combines iconic aesthetics with robust construction. This particular example is preserved in excellent overall condition and comes with its original punched guarantee and fitted box, making it a noteworthy addition for any 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.