Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1994 Reference No: 16528 Case No: S630’098 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlink stamped “103”, max length 185mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “T5” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Further accompanied by Rolex service guarantee, instruction manual, green wallet, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Bejeweled Cosmograph Daytona’s are amongst one of the rarest examples of the model offered with various gem-set iterations. First introduced in the 1980’s, Rolex experimented with gem-set examples via the ref. 6269 and 6270, which were produced in very small quantities. Fast forward to the 1990’s, with Rolex already introduced their new model powered by a Zentih base self-winding caliber featuring an entirely new case design, Rolex introduced again bejeweled iterations of the famed reference, either with a diamond-pavé dial, gem-set bezel or a combination of both.
Throughout the era, one of the iterations introduced is the present example ref. 16528 with a diamond and emerald-set dial. With that said, iterations like such are without a doubt rare, however during the time customers were able to request for an upgrade of the dial during servicing and examples as such were fitted with service dials featuring silvered subsidiary dials. Original dials of the present iteration featured gold subsidiary dials uniformly matching the tone of the case. The present example displays the rare and original dial with gold subsidiary dials and is further accompanied by a service guarantee from Rolex, preserved in attractive overall condition.
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.