Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: 16520 Movement No: 92'920 Case No: W366034 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped "78390" and "503B", max length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp stamped "78390" and "W4" Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by original invoice dated August 14, 1995, bank transfer receipt, Rolex punched Guarantee dated August 12, 1995 and stamped by Montres Rolex SA, product literature, numbered hangtag, "faux-seal" hangtag, plastic bezel protection ring, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 16520 is among Rolex's most innovative models ever produced. Housing the iconic 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, it quickly became a cult classic and garnered an immediate waiting list at Rolex retailers. Today, the Zenith Daytona has become an even more collectible watch due to its rarity, good looks and importance within the history of Rolex.
The present example is remarkable due to a number of factors: its provenance, its accessories and its condition.
Offered by the original owner, this watch was in fact sold in Geneva and not by a simple retailer, but by the maker itself: the guarantee proudly states under the retailer name field: “Montres Rolex S.A."
Furthermore, in an example of perfect Swiss efficiency, the original owner jealously safeguarded not only all the original accessories, but even the original invoice and the original bank wire receipt (from which one can see the watch was paid 4’760 CHF).
Finally, the piece is preserved in excellent condition: obviously sparsely worn, it features an unpolished case with strong edges and satin finish, and only the slightest hint of wear. Combining provenance, condition and undoubtedly one of the most complete set of accessories one can ever wish to find accompanying a 16520, the present watch is a rare occasion for the most spoiled of collectors.
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.