Rolex - The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV Hong Kong Friday, May 27, 2022 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 2000
    Reference No: 16520
    Movement No: 188’723
    Case No: A651’774
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, “The Winner”
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78390A”, max length 195mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “X10”
    Dimensions: 40mm diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by non-matching Rolex Guarantee and hang tag, Rolex instruction manual, product literature, green passport holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Named after the important race itself, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona first introduced in the early 1960s has become the most iconic timepiece in the history of the firm and in the industry. In 1988, Rolex introduced their new ref. 16520 at the time, featuring for the first time, a case with crown guards and a self-winding movement marking the end to the manual Daytona era. A successful reference, collectors have regarded the present reference as a major milestone model for the firm. The reference was discontinued in 2000, replaced by the ref. 116520 with a Rolex in-house cal. 4130. The last examples of the ref. 16520 bears the “A” serial produced only for a short year.

    The present example is Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 featuring a white dial and with an “A” serial features a rare and interesting caseback inscription “Winner Rolex 24 at Daytona 2000”. The Rolex 24 at Daytona is one of the most important 24-hour endurance races in the history of motorsport. Consigned by the original owner and former British racer, James Weaver who raced for the Dyson Racing team. Driving for the team since 1987 for twenty years, Weaver resulted IMSA GT Championship runner-up in 1995, won the 1998 United States Road Racing Championship and the 2000 and 2001 Rolex Sports Car Series, and collected two vice-championships in the 2004 and 2006 American Le Mans Series. The present ref. 16520 was presented along with his winning title in the 2000 Daytona 24 Hour Race, Sports Racing Prototype division. Starting on the speedway at pole position with the fastest race lap at 1:41.002, Weaver raced in his No. 20 Riley & Scott Ford MKIII along with co-drivers Rob Dyson, Max Papis and Elliot Forbes Robinson with endurance and excellence and claimed their victory.

    Held annually, the winner of the race was gifted with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona with its case back inscribed “Winner” with its specific year of the race. But the present example has a nice twist to the story, the accessories were mismatched during the gift ceremony with his teammates and the present owner has kept everything intact. The watch is in excellent, possible unpolished condition. The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 “Winner” is a fantastic piece to add to the collection of both motorsport enthusiasts and collectors of fine sports wristwatches.

  • 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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Property from the Original Owner

915

Ref. 16520
A fine, attractive and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and presentation box, awarded to the winner of the 2000 Daytona 24 Hour Race at Grand Am Rolex Championship

Circa 2000
40mm diameter
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed

Estimate
HK$300,000 - 500,000 
€38,200-63,700
$38,500-64,100

Sold for HK$680,400

Contact Specialist

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

The Hong Kong Watch Auction: XIV

Hong Kong Auction 27 - 28 May 2022