Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 2003 Reference No: 116520 Movement No: C0'150'121 Case No: F'731'092 Model Name: Cosmograph Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 170mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial and movement signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Guarantee dated March 2, 2005, green Rolex folder with Official Chronometer Certification booklet, sale tags and correspondence from Rolex confirming the authenticity of the present dial
Catalogue Essay
Reference 116520 replaced its predecessor reference 16520 in 2000. It most notably features caliber 4130, which is Rolex’s first in-house chronograph movement. Today, it is an iconic model, representing one of Rolex's many technical strides throughout horological history.
The present watch is an incredibly rare and novel example of reference 116520, as the dial does not display the usually-found red 'Daytona' script at 6 o'clock. Most importantly, this watch is accompanied by correspondence between the owner and Rolex, confirming the originality of the dial. The watch most likely left the Rolex factory as is, due to a quality control oversight. Today, this 'mistake' has rendered the present watch incredibly rare and valuable, giving it a unique appearance. To the best of our knowledge, the present watch is the only known reference 116520 with this dial configuration to have appeared on the auction market.
Furthermore, the watch is preserved in excellent condition and still retains its original caseback sticker. It retains its Rolex service stickers. It is furthermore accompanied by its original guarantee, stating the watch was sold in Paris.
Founded 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.
Ref. 116520 An incredibly rare and attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with only known "no Daytona" dial, bracelet, guarantee and documentation