Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1995 Reference No: 16518 Movement No: 150'423 Case No: W120’733 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Released in the late 1980s, the now-iconic self-winding Daytona enjoyed instant recognition with an ever-growing interest that is still apparent today. The model was launched with different dial variations before it was eventually replaced by the ref, 116520 in 2000. Featuring a clean white dial with diamond-set markers, the ref. 16518 most notably houses the reliable Zenith-based El Primero movement, cal. 4030. Preserved in excellent overall condition with a gorgeous yellow gold patina on the case that has aged through time, the present example paired with a tan-crocodile strap enchases the elegance of the gold-accented chronograph dial perfectly.
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.