With the advent of the new millennium, Rolex launched its new Daytona chronograph, sporting a redesigned case with new shiny lugs, a bracelet with solid links and of course, a brand new in-house movement cal. 4130. From a technical point of view, the new caliber maintains the COSC certification, has 44 rubies, a four-arms monometallic balance wheel made in Glucydur, micrometric ‘microstar’ regulation featuring four elements screwed onto the balance wheel's ring, 28,000 alternations per hour, KIF shock-absorbing device. Subtle and discreet, the dial also received a facelift where the sub-register for running seconds had migrated from 9 to 6 o’clock.
The present example is a rare variant within the 116520 family, and is nicknamed the "APH Daytona" due to its dial configuration. Produced from 2011 to 2014 approximately, this version displays a gap between the "R" and "APH" in "Cosmograph" on the dial. Offered in excellent overall condition by the original owner with its accessories, this is the perfect opportunity for lovers of the Daytona to acquire one now, especially with an ever-growing demand for these rare collectibles.
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.