Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1988 Reference No: 16528 Movement No: 15'848 Case No: R985192 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona "Floating" Material: 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 190mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K yellow gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee dated June 07, 1989, wallet, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Rolex’s first automatic Daytona was introduced in 1988. Housing the iconic Zenith-based caliber 4030, it featured a larger case and was fitted with a sapphire crystal. The watch immediately became a cult classic and garnered an immediate waiting list at Rolex retailers. The gold version reference 16528 was a luxurious alternative to its stainless steel counterpart reference 16520.
First generation examples like the present watch displayed “Cosmograph” floating below “Rolex Oyster Perpetual Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified”. This variant is known as the “floating dial”. During the model’s initial production years, the dials were made with white lacquer. However, most probably due to cost of creating such dials, very few were made. A “tell-tale” sign of ‘porcelain dials’ is the three-dimensional appearance of the black graphics and slightly off-white color of the background.
One of the most impressive examples of its kind to appear on the auction market, this timepiece is fitted with an original early bezel, which is calibrated to 200 units. Preserved in most probably unpolished condition, the watch displays all its original factory finishes, from the bevel on the bezel to deep and untouched hallmarks. The bracelet exhibits a beautiful copper-like patina, adding an undisputed layer of charm to the timepiece. Furthermore, it retains all its original accessories, such as the punched guarantee.
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.
Ref. 16528 A rare and most probably unpolished yellow gold chronograph wristwatch with so-called "porcelain" dial displaying "floating" logo, bracelet, guarantee and presentation box
Circa 1988 40mm Diameter Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed