Manufacturer: Rolex Year: Circa 2019 Reference No: 116509 Case No: 8Q'207'677 Model Name: Cosmograph Daytona Material: 18K white gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 4130, 44 jewels Bracelet/Strap: 18K white gold Rolex Oyster bracelet, max length 210mm Clasp/Buckle: 18K white gold Rolex deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed. Accessories: Accompanied by Rolex warranty card dated February 8, 2019 and stamped Bucherer AG, Switzerland, fitted presentation box, leather envelope, Rolex hang tag, product literature and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
The Cosmograph Daytona is one of the most iconic timepieces with a long history reaching back over 60 years to the first reference 6239, and is now one of the most sought after models today. In 2000, Rolex introduced the ground-breaking Cosmograph Daytona reference 116520, featuring the firm’s first ever in-house, self-winding chronograph, the caliber 4130, replacing its former Zenith El Primero-based caliber 4030. Entering into the new millennium with a bang, Rolex also introduced gold variants of the Cosmograph Daytona, and for the first time models featuring various dial types, including hardstones.
The reference 116509 was introduced in 2004 and remained in production until replaced by the current reference 126509. The chronograph features a white gold case and bracelet with engraved white gold bezel with tachymeter. The present model features an attractive grey dial giving the timepiece a sporty masculine appeal. In addition to the grey dial, Rolex offered the chronograph with a blue dial, black dial with red highlights and the sought after meteorite dial.
The present watch is offered in excellent overall condition and accompanied by its 2019 warranty confirming the watch was sold by the famed Bucherer retailer, along with presentation box and hang tags.
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.
