Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2000 Reference No: 16523 Movement No: 197’076 Case No: P211’166 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: Two tone stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4030, 31 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Two tone stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster bracelet stamped “78393A”, max length 180mm Clasp/Buckle: Two tone stainless steel and 18K yellow gold Rolex Oyster deployant clasp stamped “AB2” Dimensions: 40mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex guarantee stamped Braun Juwelier Mannheim dated 26th July 2000, product literature, 1999-2000 calendar card, hang tags, green card holder, outer packaging and fitted presentation box.
Catalogue Essay
Deemed by many as a major breakthrough for Rolex, the firm released the Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16500 series in 1988 being the first model to feature a self-winding movement none other than the revered Zenith El Primero based cal. 4030. Released in stainless steel, yellow gold as well as two tone stainless steel and yellow gold, the ref. 16500 series garnered a successful reception during its launch and remains as one of the most celebrated wristwatches today. The reference was discontinued in 2000 making way for the new ref. 116500 series housing Rolex’s first ever in-house caliber 4130.
The present example Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16523 in two tone stainless steel and yellow gold belongs to one of the latest batches of the reference produced before being replaced by the new model. Bearing a “P” serial, it is believed that examples as such were only produced for approximately six months as they featured solid endlinks differing from earlier examples with hollow endlinks and a correct “Swiss Made” dial indicating the luminous material to be Luminova differing from early examples with tritium.
Offered in excellent overall condition and accompanied by its original guarantee and presentation box, this rare ref. 16523 is a great opportunity for lovers of chronograph timepieces to add to their collection.
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.
