Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2005 Reference No: 116509 Case No: D004'968 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 200mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Horl Augsburg, Germany dated 30th May 2005, Rolex service guarantees, instruction manual, hang tag, green leather holder, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Introduced in 2000 alongside its stainless steel counterpart ref. 116520, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116509 features the upgraded and Rolex’s first ever in-house self-winding chronograph movement cal. 4130. Hefty, steady and robust, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116509 is the first Daytona to be encased in 18K white gold with matching bracelet during 2005.
On top of the lavish upgrade of gold, the present ref. 116509 features a stunning precious hard stone dial known as chrysoprase. Mint green in color the hard stone dial can also be found on the Rolex Daytona Beach series ref. 116519 unveiled during the millennium. Today, these watches are rare collector’s items. Preserved in excellent overall condition and accompanied with its guarantee and accessories, this chrysoprase Daytona is certainly a breath of fresh air and perfect for the upcoming summer.
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.