14
Rolex
Ref. 16520
Cosmograph Daytona
A fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and box
- Estimate
- HK$120,000 - 195,000€12,900 - 21,000$15,400 - 25,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Rolex
- Year
- Circa 1997
- Reference No
- 16520
- Movement No
- 1’105’252
- Case No
- U336’394
- Model Name
- Cosmograph Daytona
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78390A”, endlinks stamped “803B”, max length 170mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “OP4”
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and clasp signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated 4th March 1998 stamped Ben Bridge JLRS, 1997 – 1998 calendar card, instruction manual, green card holder, hang tag, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Released in 1988, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 marked a new and important era for the firm as they introduced their very first self-winding Daytona model powered by the legendary Zenith El Primero based cal. 4030 modified by Rolex.
With an upgraded appeal from its previous ref. 6265, the new case design features crown guards as well as the signature screw-down pushers. Extremely well balanced with an enhanced robust 40mm diameter case, the ref. 16520 was successful immediately after their launch and commanded a long waiting list due to the prolonged manufacturing process of the precise Zenith caliber.
Dubbed as one of the most collectible Rolex models today due to the combination of its rarity, historical importance and aesthetics, the ref. 16520 is a watch that you can wear anywhere to any occasion and will not disappoint.
The present example fitted with a black dial bearing a “U” serial from circa 1997 is presented in excellent overall condition and is accompanied by the original guarantee confirming the black dial.
With an upgraded appeal from its previous ref. 6265, the new case design features crown guards as well as the signature screw-down pushers. Extremely well balanced with an enhanced robust 40mm diameter case, the ref. 16520 was successful immediately after their launch and commanded a long waiting list due to the prolonged manufacturing process of the precise Zenith caliber.
Dubbed as one of the most collectible Rolex models today due to the combination of its rarity, historical importance and aesthetics, the ref. 16520 is a watch that you can wear anywhere to any occasion and will not disappoint.
The present example fitted with a black dial bearing a “U” serial from circa 1997 is presented in excellent overall condition and is accompanied by the original guarantee confirming the black dial.
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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