Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1988 Reference No: 16523 Movement No: 13'693 Case No: R984198 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold and stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold and stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex presentation box and product literature.
Catalogue Essay
For the Daytona's 25th anniversary, Rolex surprised the public at the 1988 Basel fair by introducing the first self winding chronograph model in its history. The newly launched reference model was powered by a derivative of Zenith's El Primero caliber modified by Rolex. It was the first Daytona to be equipped with a sapphire crystal and a new larger diameter.
Its launch was an immediate success, resulting in unprecedented demand that would require clients to have to wait as long as seven years to purchase one. Without a doubt, the new model elevated the Daytona to its current mythical status.
This stainless steel and yellow gold Daytona, reference 16523, is part of the famous 'R' series from the 1st year of production in 1988. The watch is also fitted with the highly sought after champagne dial featuring the floating "Cosmograph" signature. Preserved in excellent condition, it even retains its original calibrated bezel graduated to 200 units per hour.
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. 16523 A highly rare and attractive stainless steel and yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with champagne "floating dial", bracelet and presentation box
Circa 1988 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed