Released in 1988, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref.16520 was the firm’s first Daytona model to feature a self-winding caliber. Housing the reliable Zenith El Primero based cal. 4030, it was considered one of the best self-winding chronograph movements at the time. Twelve years later, it would be discontinued to be replaced by the ref. 116520 featuring Rolex’s own in-house self-winding chronograph movement cal. 4130. Being part of this rare and highly thought-after Zenith movement family, the present timepiece has more than one trick up its sleeve.

Bearing a “W” serial number from circa 1995, the watch falls into the rare batch of “tropical” dials. Its three registers have turned to a beautiful rich and chestnut brown colour. The type of lacquer applied during the manufacturing process has aged over time, and contributed to the unique “tropicalization” of certain S, T and W serial Daytonas' subsidiary dials, with W series being the "sweet spot" for tropical effects. Extremely rare as these imperfections are natural occurrences, such even and richly saturated colours extremely are desirable and scarce.

Further enhancing this prized Daytona, the watch is preserved in most probably unpolished condition with the bezel protector, the sticker on the caseback still intact, as well as the sticker on the clasp. The watch is offered in most complete condition, with the original numbered hang tag present, along with the guarantee stating the watch was sold at Swansea Goldsmiths, product literature and presentation box. To find a reference 16520 with this particular dial, in such marvelous and untouched condition, along with original accessories is an incredibly rare occurrence.