Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1991 Reference No: 16528 Movement No: 37’719 Case No: E956’153 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, endlinks stamped “103”, max length 195mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “P1” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Catalogue Essay
In 1988, Rolex introduced to the world their first self-winding Daytona ref. 16520. However, launched together with the stainless steel model was the yellow gold variant ref. 16528. Powered by the cal. 4030, a Rolex modified Zenith El Primero movement, it was the most reliable self-winding chronograph movement available in the market at the time. Early examples of the reference featured the rare and desirable “inverted 6” dial with a “T Swiss Made T” designation at the bottom of the dial, indicating the luminous material in tritium. It is believed that Rolex changed the dial to an “upright 6” after 1993.
The present example ref. 16528 with an attractive champagne “inverted 6” “T Swiss Made T” dial bearing an “E” serial from circa 1991 boasts an attractive dial with no signs of imperfections. With a dial matching the warm and brilliant hue of the case, the yellow gold iteration of a Rolex Daytona will always offer a little more flamboyance than its stainless steel counterpart.
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.
