CARACTÉRISTIQUES TECHNIQUES
Extremely rare Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 full set with incredible vanilla dial, steel case, Oyster bracelet, automatic 4030 movement, from 1989.
Steel case measuring 40mm (no. L335XXX)
Original 225 bezel
Original screw-down round pushers
Couronne originale
Verre saphir original
Dial with inverted 6
Steel Oyster bracelet 78360
M9 deployant clasp
503 bracelet ends
Automatic 4030 chronograph movement inside
Full set
Expert report by Marco Di Falco
ANALYSE
The Rolex Daytona is the most iconic watch of all time. There is no debate on this point. There is not a single thinking being on our planet who isn’t familiar with this name and that iconic configuration. The Daytona was born from Rolex’s previous experiences with chronographs featuring manually wound movements (Vaijoux modified by the crowned Maison) produced in the 1950s. A crucial turning point came with the implementation of a sportier design, which gave the new product an innovative and futuristic spirit for the time.
The pinnacle of sportiness came in the early 1960s with the Daytona, a model that inextricably linked Rolex to the world of racing. This historic model has undergone several aesthetic and technical evolutions over the years, but one of the most significant changes was the adoption of a self-winding chronograph caliber (the heavily modified Zenith El Primero): thus, the Daytona 16520 was born in 1988.
This reference completely changed the look of the watch, not just aesthetically: it added a 40mm case, moved the tachymeter scale to the bezel, implemented a sapphire crystal, and made the watch water-resistant to 10 ATM. In short, with the ref. 16520, Rolex renewed and redesigned the essence of the modern chronograph.
This piece is extremely rare due to its state of preservation and, above all, the atypical color of its dial. Its uniqueness lies in the warm patina that has given the dial a light and soft vanilla hue. Against this background, the black circular frames of the three white-printed subdials stand out. The play of warm tones fades near the applied steel-framed indexes, but regains its brilliance thanks to the color of the tritium within them. On this stunning composition, the Rolex crown logo vibrates at 12 o’clock, and at 6 o’clock the Daytona inscription in red appears to protrude. The baton-shaped hands still retain the original warm tritium.
The case is the usual, beautiful Oyster case. It has remained untouched down to the smallest detail since 1989. The 225 stainless steel bezel, engraved with a black tachymeter scale, is beautiful. The right side is characterized by the presence of shoulders that protect the typical logoed crown. It is located next to the two round screw-down pushers, characteristic of this reference.
The watch is fitted with its stunning, like-new 78360 stainless steel Oyster bracelet with 503 lugs and a logoed and signed M9 deployant clasp.
Under the intact caseback lies the Rolex caliber 4030, used by the brand from 1988 to approximately 2000. This chronograph movement is based on the infamous Zenith El Primero 400, which has been modified to eliminate the date and reduce the balance wheel’s oscillations from 36,000 to 28,800. Caliber 4030 will be the last one used by Rolex on an external base.
This fantastic and unique Rolex Daytona comes with its full set of papers, calendar, leather case, booklets, burgundy tag, and Rolex-signed box and outer box. Additionally, the watch is accompanied by an appraisal by Marco Di Falco, a specialized consultant and expert in the field of historic watches, with expertise gained over many years of practice, particularly in the field of vintage Rolexes. For over two decades, he has been active in traditional watchmaking, working alongside market professionals, restoration laboratories, and collectors in the analysis, authentication, and technical evaluation of vintage timepieces.
