Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1997 Reference No: 16520 Case No: U162’004 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78390”, endlinks stamped “503B”, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “Z8” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Dickson Watch & Jewellery Co., LTD., Hong Kong dated 1st December 1997, instruction manual, product literature, green card holder, hang tags, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Timeless, robust and iconic, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona made its important debut in the early 1960s. Regarded by collectors as the quintessential chronograph, the Daytona has been sported by legends over the decades including the likes of Paul Newman, Roger Federer, Michael Jordan and the list goes on. While early examples of the Daytona were powered by manual movements, it was in 1988 where everything took a turn. Introduced as the first ever self-winding Daytona model, the ref. 16520 was unveiled to the public in the late 1980s and it immediately became an instant success with a refreshed appeal and notable upgrades including a larger 40mm diameter case with crown guards. Introduced initially in stainless steel with either a black or a white dial, gold examples were released later.
The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 from circa 1997 with a “U” serial is a fantastic specimen of this timeless icon that is well-preserved and comes complete with its full set of accessories. With the recent introduction of the most updated Daytona model ref. 126500LN to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Cosmograph Daytona, the present timeless classic ref. 16520 is a collectible example and a perfect way for connoisseurs to celebrate this important anniversary.
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.