Marking a milestone for the Daytona, Rolex released the ref. 16520 in 1988, making it the manufacturer’s first-ever Daytona model to feature a self-winding movement and a larger case with crown guards. A significant breakthrough for Rolex, it is powered by the caliber 4030, based on the Zenith El-Primero movement. Initially launched in stainless steel with black and white dial options, gold models were also introduced with various dial designs and materials. The reference was discontinued in 2000, paving the way for the ref. 116520, which featured the firm's first in-house self-winding chronograph, the Caliber 4130.
Today, Rolex is a vertically integrated company that manufactures almost all components of its watches. However, before and in the 1990s, like many other Swiss watchmakers, Rolex relied on various suppliers to produce individual components, which were then assembled by Rolex. These suppliers were often family-run, medium to small-sized companies specializing in specific watch parts such as bracelets, cases, movements, and dials.

During the design of a new watch, Rolex provided guidelines to these suppliers, who produced prototypes or test components that could be selected or discarded. Singer, responsible for manufacturing Rolex’s dials, submitted several graphic designs for approval before the final version of a watch’s dial went into production. This was the case with the Daytona ref. 16520, where Singer proposed different dial prototypes while testing for the future 116520 generation. Since the Singer dials for the 16520 were factory tests intended as prototypes for Rolex, very few examples were made, and they were never offered for public sale. These prototype-test dials are exceedingly rare, with only a few surviving to this day, making them extremely difficult to find on the market.

This Rolex Daytona 16520 A series is the only known example in this exact configuration, featuring a Singer test-prototype black dial with enamel-filled Arabic numerals and black sub-dials, while other known examples are fitted with white or salmon dials. This test dial by Singer, manufactured as a prototype for Rolex, exemplifies the brand’s constant pursuit of innovation and close collaboration with its suppliers. It is an exceptional, very rare, and fascinating watch for the Rolex collector.

The importance of this lot cannot be overstated, as it was prominently featured in the Ultimate Rolex Daytona book and Daytona Perpetual book by Pucci Papaleo. Complete with its guarantee and presentation box, this exceptionally rare and well-preserved “prototype” Daytona ref. 16520 will enchant collectors seeking something extraordinary and wishing to honor Rolex as a pioneer in innovative dial designs, both now and in the years to come.