Rolex

It was in 1989, I bought my first luxury timepiece, a Rolex, a Datejust to be precise, the ref 16210 on a Jubilee bracelet. Salary about 4600, watch 1100 But back in 1989, things were very different today, Rolex collecting, or Rolexmania, was in its inf...  

.. ...and a new blog feature for Rolex. Miranda.....thanks for posting some fantastic shots and also some of that personal history. To pick up a mint 6542 and a 6200 for under £1200 total....mind-boggling. As is a 4yr waiting list! Great personal history.... 

...the MK2 dial is also my fav one...in black as you said. i prefer, instead, a floating MK1 with white dial (3D or not). in Rolex madness, everything is started with the 16520, that's not the only good reason to keep it safe...or wrist ... ciao, chris

I love these white dial/black font Rolexes and this particular one looks fantastic. Thanks for the little lesson Imran ;) Mark

Yes, I agree on both things: Porcelain dials are to die for, and the first black dials are very appealing, too. Thank you so much for this article, my friend. Great read! Best, Nicolas

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the white 5 lines floating porcelain ( or " porky " ) dial is rarer than the black , and the black is far rarer than the standard white . however the rarest 16520 dial ( " world record " .. LOLL ) is the " pre-series " ( or proto ... or whatever you want ...  

I have seen two at auction , one at antiquorum and one with christies However Rolex insist it is a white gold 16519 dial I am not convinced, firstly it is inverted 6 and they are not silver sub dials Interested in your opinion Here are more from auction: ...  

without having the dial in my hands .... however Rolex is right for more than a reason : 1) I know for sure that their records about these modern watches are far better than those for vintage ones ; 2) the " inverted 6 " can be seen also in other dials fo... 

talked about this one elsewhere, to be honest, for me it's good..but never released by Rolex someone says it's been subjected to rhodium handling. imho, this is just a test a pre-series like the Rose/Salmon for 16519 (two MKs) or the No-Daytona at 6, etc.... 

And I have never seen a 16519 with this exact dial !

...my research was based on a piece old enough to have the brushed bracelet. not a first series, but a good balance between beauty and price. cheers, chris ...  

...that's the feeling i have every day reading this forum and watching so much amazing pieces, and many are yours. ;) chris

in 16520 you can find the " inverted 6 " up to cases in the low S range ( S3-S4 ) !!!

between the end of 1994 and the beginning of 1995. but yes the dial you have shared is certainly for 16520 with rhodium re-plated indexes ....this is my mistake !! ( edit for typo )

Some of these sample you mention are so rare it's might seem as franken to most commoner (me) I think I have a version 16520 you mention. Let me dig out the photo Regard Tyler

My little finger is infaillible. ;) Tyler? Best, Nicolas

.....been out hunting and soon to return with prizes. Unveil, Tyler....it is your duty!

Let see what will happen. ;) Regard Tyler

But I know I haven't been posting much I'll go prepare something Regard Tyler

No wonder Nico keeps offering me cake! And congrats in advance for 3000! Best Imran

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Thank you!

.. what a review: for me, as a rel. Rolex Vintage Newbie, and having zero knowledge about the finesses of the Daytonas, a Must Read here .. Have really enjoyed this so nice contribution, with splendid pics as well.. - thank you very much and have a great ... 

I also have a daytona from that era. My R series daytona 16528, I tried a leather band for a short while, then a rubber b, now its back on bracelet. ...  

Its one of those watches you never want to part with.

.... that you one day can convince him that you must be the next owner For the post, simply brilliant :-) Best Hans

And to Marci---Love that yellow faded one in your post my Italian cousin! Ciao,

i think the 16520 is an under appreciated model. it really is the genesis of today's Rolex collecting universe. So many things have stemmed from that watch. thanks for the write up.

Thanks for posting and totally agree....A porcelain white dial is a personal grail for me. Getting harder to find, especially in great condition. The real catalyst for modern Rolex collecting. I have other favorite grails...PP 3450, 2499, a grand complica... 

and excitement is still strong ;) Yes one of great posts about Daytona of our missed Imran Sincerely Damjan