122
Rolex
Ref. 16520, caseback stamped "2100" to the inside
Cosmograph Daytona
A fine, attractive and extremely well preserved stainless steel automatic chronograph wristwatch with bracelet and guarantee
- Estimate
- CHF12,000 - 18,000€10,600 - 15,800$12,300 - 18,400
CHF32,500
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1999
- Reference No
- 16520, caseback stamped "2100" to the inside
- Case No
- A970378
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 205mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex deployant clasp
- Dimensions
- 40mm Diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex punched Guarantee stamped by Hong Kong retailer Yes Watch Co., Ltd. and dated August 25, 2000, numbered sale tag and fitted box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
The evolution of the Cosmograph Daytona is of course an extremely complex topic, with dozens of different variations of case details, graphic styles, fonts and so on. However, the entire Daytona production can be grouped into three main classes: "Manual" Daytonas, using a Rolex upgraded manually-wound Valjoux 72 caliber (1963 - 1988); “Zenith” Daytonas, using a Rolex upgraded automatic Zenith El Primero caliber (1988-2000); and “Rolex” Daytonas, using a in-house caliber (2000 - ongoing).
The Zenith Daytona is particularly important as it is the link between the “old school” construction and production methodology of the manual Daytona, and a modern approach to luxury watchmaking, which will fully bloom with the “Rolex” Daytona.
The present example is not only offered in absolutely new-old-stock condition, but it is furthermore a sought-after “A-series” of particular interest for the Rolex collector as it is one of the latest representatives of the “Zenith” Daytona production.
The Zenith Daytona is particularly important as it is the link between the “old school” construction and production methodology of the manual Daytona, and a modern approach to luxury watchmaking, which will fully bloom with the “Rolex” Daytona.
The present example is not only offered in absolutely new-old-stock condition, but it is furthermore a sought-after “A-series” of particular interest for the Rolex collector as it is one of the latest representatives of the “Zenith” Daytona production.
Rolex
Swiss | 1905Founded 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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