Manufacturer: Rolex Year: 2001 Reference No: 116520 Movement No: C'007'3066 Case No: K'918'519 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona, “The Winner” Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max. length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “DT10” and "78490" Dimensions: 39.5mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by undated Rolex Guarantee stamped Rolex New York, hang tag, sales tag, Rolex instruction manual, product literature, green passport holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
The Rolex Daytona is undoubtably rooted in the history of racing with its name derived from of the world’s most respected race tracks, the Daytona circuit. To examine the Daytona model is to acknowledge the history as well as the symbiotic relationship between the Genevan watchmaker and high-octane world of racing. Introduced in 2000, the reference 116520 replaced its predecessor reference 16520, and was notable for the caliber 4130 - Rolex’s very first in-house chronograph movement. Today, it is an iconic model, representing one of Rolex's many technical advancements throughout horological history. Rolex, capitalising on - and keeping alive - its historical roots of "tool watch" company, sponsors a number of sports events worldwide, and for this particular timepiece we are talking of the world of high speed car racing. Watches awarded to the winners of these competitions are extremely sought-after in virtue of a number of reasons: they are virtually unique pieces, as each watch is usually engraved to the back with a commemorative inscription, but most importantly they are the purest form, in modern times - of Rolex DNA: a brand which makes watches unsurpassably reliable and dedicated to the world's foremost athletes, racers and explorers.
The present Rolex reference 116520 was presented to racing legend Andy Wallace upon his team’s victory of the 2001 Rolex 24 at Daytona. Multi-time winner of the 24 hours of Daytona, Wallace also competed and won the 24h hours of LeMans and the 12 hours of Sebring. However, his need for speed was not quenched quite yet as he then went on to establish the record-setting speed of 386.4 km/h with a McLaren F1, which for over 11 years was the world record for the fastest production car! This Cosmograph "Winner" Daytona is, by all means, a supreme grail for serious Daytona enthusiasts. Completed with its full set of accessories and in exceptional "like-new" condition, the present lot is a truly exceptional timepiece in the history of horology and motor sports.
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. 116520 A very fine and rare stainless steel chronograph wristwatch with bracelet, guarantee and presentation box, awarded to Andy Wallace, the winner of the 2003 Rolex 24 at Daytona
2001 39.5mm diameter Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed