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1057

Rolex

Ref. 16520

Cosmograph Daytona, "Winner"

A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation box, awarded to the winner of the 1999 Rolex 24 at Daytona

Estimate
HK$400,000 - 800,000
€51,000 - 102,000
$51,300 - 103,000
HK$945,000
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
Circa 1997
Reference No
16520
Case No
U875’843
Model Name
Cosmograph Daytona, "Winner"
Material
Stainless steel
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78390”, endlinks stamped “503,B”, max length 185mm
Clasp/Buckle
Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp
Dimensions
40mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Rolex Watch U.S.A dated February 1999 to Kelly Colins, instruction manual, product literature, hang tags, badge, photos and signed magazines, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
With historic relevance and importance in the world of racing, timepieces have played a pivotal role in the development of motorsports and vice versa. The Rolex Daytona is one of such deeply rooted in the history of racing with its name derived from of the world’s most respected race tracks, the Daytona circuit. Released in 1988, the Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 played a major role in the history of the firm, being the first Daytona model to feature a self-winding movement via the El Primero based cal. 4030. The reference was discontinued in 2000 making way for the ref. 116520 with Rolex’s first in-house self-winding cal. 4130.

The present example Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 featuring a white dial from circa 1997 is not just a regular example but one with an interesting piece of racing history. When turned over to its caseback, it is inscribed with “K.Collins Rolex Daytona 1994 24 Winner”. A tradition, winners of the prestigious Daytona 24 race were awarded with a Rolex Daytona. In 1999, the Daytona 24 GT3 class race was won by Kelly Collins and his team in a Porsche 911 RSR for Alex Job Racing, where the team finished in sixth place in at the end of the season.

A fantastic piece of racing trophy, the present Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 comes with its corresponding guarantee stamped Rolex Watch U.S.A with Kelly Collins stamped and dated February 1999. Offered in attractive overall condition, this example will surely delight collectors who are also fans of racing.

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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