Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 1998 Reference No: 16520 Movement No: 144'518 Case No: U'329'471 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Stainless steel Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Stainless steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 205mm Clasp/Buckle: Stainless steel Rolex twinlock deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and bracelet signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex punched Guarantee, Service Receipt dated May 17, 2004 from Rolex Japan Limited, wallet, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
Reference 16520 is among Rolex's most innovative models to date. Housing the modified Zenith-based caliber 4030 mechanism, the model was fitted with the first automatic chronograph movement in the firm's history. At the time of launch in 1988, the watch immediately became a cult classic and garnered an immediate waiting list at Rolex retailers.
Manufactured in 1998, the present example is known as the "U Series". This particular watch is preserved in excellent condition, featuring sharp finishes to the top of the lugs. It is even accompanied by its original punched guarantee, stating it was retailed at Yung Dah Watch Co. in Taiwan, which is correct as the country code for Taiwan, "440", is punched on the paper.
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.