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199

Rolex

Ref. 16528, stamped 16500 inside the caseback

Cosmograph Daytona, "4-Liner Diamond Jelly"

An extremely rare and attractive yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, "4-liner" diamond-set porcelain dial and original guarantee

Estimate
CHF30,000 - 50,000
CHF68,750
Lot Details
Manufacturer
Rolex
Year
1988
Reference No
16528, stamped 16500 inside the caseback
Movement No
10148
Case No
R833'394
Model Name
Cosmograph Daytona, "4-Liner Diamond Jelly"
Material
18k yellow gold
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
18k yellow gold Rolex Oyster, stamped 78668, max. length 240mm, endlinks stamped 103
Clasp/Buckle
18k folding deployant clasp
Dimensions
39 mm. Diameter
Signed
Movement, dial, case and bracelet signed
Accessories
Rolex punched guarantee dated 1989, service guarantee, product literature and red leather wallet
Catalogue Essay
In 1988, on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the introduction of the first Cosmograph Daytona model, Rolex launched the first self-winding chronograph in its history. The watch housed the Rolex caliber 4030, based on Zenith’s El Primero movement with substantial modifications performed by Rolex. Fitted with a sapphire crystal for the first time, the Daytona’s case size was increased to 39 millimeters to house the new movement.

The present example reference 16528 features an early and highly desirable 4-liner enamel-coated dial, referred to by collectors as “the porcelain dial”, adorned with yellow gold diamond hour markers. Bearing an "R" serial number, this attractive Daytona is correctly fitted with the highly sought after, first generation 18k yellow gold ‘200’ graduation bezel.

To date, only two other examples are known, making this watch extremely rare and desirable. Accompanied by the original Rolex guarantee, this opportunity does not come around often and is sure to satisfy the most discerning collectors of Rolex sport watches.

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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