Rolex - STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them New York Wednesday, December 5, 2018 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Rolex
    Year: Circa 1998
    Reference No: 16520
    Case No: A306'558
    Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona
    Material: Stainless steel
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 78390A, max length 170mm
    Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp, stamped X5
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by original stamped guarantee paper, product literature, leather wallet, hang tag, inner and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Rolex surprised the public at the 1988 Basel Fair by introducing the first self-winding chronograph model in its history. The newly launched reference 16520 was powered by a derivative of Zenith's El Primero caliber, though substantially modified by Rolex. It was the first Daytona to be equipped with a sapphire crystal and upgraded to a new larger diameter of 40mm.

    The launch of the 16520 was an immediate success, resulting in unprecedented demand that would require clients to have to wait as long as seven years to purchase one. History would repeat itself in 2016 with the introduction of the ceramic bezel Daytona reference 116500. This was quite in contrast to the initial lukewarm response of the manually-wound Daytona, first introduced in 1963. Ease of use, accuracy, and a larger, sportier look all added to the new automatic Daytona’s desirability.

    The present reference 16520, a so-called "A-series" from between 1998 and 1999, has survived the past two decades with its caseback and bracelet stickers remaining intact. It is offered complete with its original warranty, multiple product literature booklets, hang tags, and both inner and outer boxes. The completeness and excellent state of preservation of this sought after Zenith-based Daytona is sure to be a collector’s delight.

  • Artist Biography

    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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Ref. 16520
A rare and highly attractive stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, with guarantee, literature, and presentation box

Circa 1998
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and bracelet signed.

Estimate
$12,000 - 18,000 
CHF12,000-17,900
€10,400-15,600
HK$94,100-141,000

Sold for $35,000

Contact Specialist
Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

STYLED. Timeless Watches & How to Wear Them

New York Auction 5 December 2018