Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX Hong Kong Monday, May 28, 2018 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1996
    Reference No: 16520
    Movement No: 129'606
    Case No: T878’944, inside caseback stamped 16500
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, stamped 78390, end links stamped 503B, max length 190mm.
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped 78390, Z5
    Dimensions: 39mm. Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

  • Catalogue Essay

    The present example is nicely aged and preserved, and features the very popular “tropical” subsidiary dials. The warm beige hue of the registers is due to the aging, fading effect on the pigment used by Rolex. This is seen with watches dating from 1993 until 1997. This is a beautiful example of the reference 16520 both for its condition and stunning dial.

  • Artist Biography

    Rolex

    Swiss • 1905

    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.

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FROM AN IMPORTANT ASIAN COLLECTOR

870

Ref. 16520
A rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with “tropical” registers and bracelet

Circa 1996
39mm. Diameter
Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed

Estimate
HK$100,000 - 150,000 
€11,000-16,500
$12,800-19,200

Sold for HK$212,500

Contact Specialist

Thomas Perazzi
Head of Watches, Asia
+852 2318 2001
thomasperazzi@phillips.com

Ziyong Ho
Specialist
+852 9386 2032
ziyongho@phillips.com

Jill Chen
Specialist
+852 2318 2033
jillchen@phillips.com

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: SIX

Hong Kong Auction 29 May 2018