Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII Hong Kong Saturday, June 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1998
    Reference No: 16520
    Movement No: 167’436
    Case No: U927’347
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78390A”, max length 210mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “U11”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Joalharia Torres Lisboa dated July 1999, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Released in 1988, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 marks a new milestone for the firm by being the very first model to feature a self-winding caliber as well as an entirely new case design from its manually wound ancestors. An instant success, the self-winding cal. 4030 derives from the famous and at the time the most impressive chronograph caliber, Zenith El Primero. The reference was discontinued in 2000 making way for the new ref. 116520 featuring the firm’s first ever in-house chronograph caliber 4130.

    In recent times, the ref. 16520 has garnered much attention from collectors and is one of the most sought after Rolex sports watch models. The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 is offered in excellent overall condition from circa 1998 with a “U” serial features the rare transitional "tritinova" dial. It is accompanied by its original guarantee and presentation box.

  • 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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976

Ref. 16520
A fine, attractive and well-preserved stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation box

Circa 1998
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$120,000 - 200,000 
€13,000-21,600
$15,400-25,600

Sold for HK$302,400

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XII

Hong Kong Auctions 5-6 June 2021