Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2000 Reference No: 16519 Movement No: 205’874 Case No: P332’234 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “16519” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex green leather cardholder, 1998-1999 calendar card, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Throughout the 1990s, Rolex noted that its iconic chronograph, with its rugged Oyster bracelet, was being worn frequently by ladies. In response, the brand released the ref. 16519 in 2000, a refined and more elegant version of the Daytona. This new aesthetic masterpiece was crafted in precious white gold and fitted with a graceful crocodile leather strap instead of the customary metal bracelet. Beauty now led the design as much as durability and performance.
This particular ref. 16519 Daytona from circa 2000 contains one of the last Zenith El Primero cal. 4030, before Rolex switched to their in-house cal. 4130 chronograph movement in 2000. The beautiful white dial with Arabic numeral hour markers is transitional, as Rolex started phasing out Tritium in the late 1990s and replacing it with modern Luminova lume. As such, the "T" markings next to "Swiss Made" at 6 o'clock are no longer present.
Offered in highly attractive overall condition and complete with its original presentation box, this watch embodies the refined elegance Rolex imbued into the Daytona line in 2000.
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.