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867

Rolex

Ref. 16520

Cosmograph Daytona, “4-liner”

A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, “4-liner”dial guarantee and presentation box

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Produced in circa 1989, the present example bearing an L serial is from the rare and coveted early examples of Zenith Daytona. The first half of the production of the “L” series houses a 4-Liner dial with a MK I 200 units per hour bezel insert, followed by a very short run of MK II bezel like the present example, where the bezel was modified with a scale for 400, 250 and 225 indications, and “units per hour” has been relocated to 1 o’clock position. Adding attraction to this incredibly well-preserved example is the feature of an inverted 6 on the 12-hour register, making this one of the most desirable combinations from the series.

The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 from circa 1989 with a “L506’701” case number and a correct “18’981” movement number featuring a white dial and MK II bezel is offered with its full set of accessories and preserved in attractive overall condition boasting a sharp case. For lovers and collectors of rare and desirable Daytonas, this is not only a great example to complete the missing puzzle in the collection, but the very one that is published and archived in the famous bible Daytona Perpetual book by Pucci Papaleo.

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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