Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1994 Reference No: 16520 Case No: S'256’975 Model Name: Cosmograph Datyona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 33 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78390”, endlinks stamped “503B”, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “S9” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped The Jewellers & Silversmiths Co. LTD dated 15th March 1994, instruction manual, product literature, 1994-1995 calendar card, green card holder, purchase invoice, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Marking a milestone for the Daytona, Rolex released the ref. 16520 in 1988 being the manufacture’s first-ever Daytona model to feature a self-winding movement and a larger case with crown guards. A significant breakthrough for Rolex, it is powered by the cal. 4030 with a Zenith El-Primero base. First launched in stainless steel with two dial options including black and white, gold models were also introduced with various dial designs and materials. The reference was discontinued in 2000, making way for the ref. 116520 featuring the firm’s first-ever in-house self-winding chronograph cal. 4130.
The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 in stainless steel features the desirable black dial with an inverted 6 from circa 1994 with an “S” serial. Not only is it a timeless icon, but this present timepiece is offered in “like-new” condition with its green case back sticker intact with no signs of use and wear. Complete with its full set of accessories, this fine specimen is not to be missed.
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.