製造商: Rolex 年份: 1999 型號: 16520 機芯編號: 172'568 錶殼號碼: A'226'309 型號名稱: Cosmograph Daytona "A Series" 材料: Stainless steel 機芯: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels 錶帶/ 錶鏈: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 195mm 錶扣: Stainless steel deployant clasp 尺寸: 40mm Diameter 簽名: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed 配件: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated June 28, 1999
圖錄文章
Reference 16520 is among Rolex's most innovative models to date. Housing a heavily modified Zenith-based caliber 4030 mechanism, the model was fitted with the first automatic chronograph movement in the firm's history. At the time of launch in 1988, the watch immediately became a cult classic and garnered an immediate waiting list at Rolex retailers.
The present example is known as the "A Series". Produced one year before the reference ceased production, it is today one of the most sought-after variants of reference 16520, marking the end of an era for that model.
This particular watch is preserved in most probably unpolished and unspoiled condition, featuring sharp factory finishes to the top of the lugs. The watch is even accompanied by its original punched guarantee, having been retailed in Frischknecht Juwelier in St. Gallen, Switzerland.
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.
