The History of the Rolex Cosmograph part IV : The Sapphire Era
In 1988, Rolex introduced a new Daytona to replace the not so popular manual wound 6263/5. The new Daytona ref. 16520 had a similar design but with some major improvements. Here are the two models side by side: very similar, yet different… The two generat...
Another great informative post, Jeff
The 16520 is a really nice Dayto. The funny thing is that I prefer the 16520 white dial, rather than the 116 520 white. As for the Back dial, I slightly prefer the 116 520... Don't know why, but while comparing both of them...That was my first impression....
Here is my Daytona 16520 R porcelain.....
.....only made in a very few examples, very hard to find. Really a rare bird.... THIS watch is really magic. The white colour of the dial must be seen to believe and the print looks like engraved. I am really more than happy to find all full package in th...
Do you have more details...
...about the production period and number ? I'm sure that you have done all the homework before pulling the trigger ;-) Cheers Jeff
Only produced....
....as 16520 in 1988, serial R 8xxxxx and R 9xxxxx range ;-) ....talking about 50 - 100 watches.... Best regards Matthias
Thanks Matthias
for the great informations and terrific pictures of the beauty ! One of them in our new Masthead picture now ;-) Cheers Jeff
And here's a picture of a SS and a 18k model together
another great shot by Maurits !...
An estimate on the porcelain dial Daytona
of only 50-100 watches produced sounds optimistically low to me. Have to admit certainly that I don't have any idea of the production number, but these are seen often enough I would guess the production was much more, though certainly rare for Rolex. I do...
Superb, and stunning, Matthias
The enamel dial gives a superb warmth to this watch! And the red lettering " Daytona " is so shiny, too! Great and very nice example. Thanks for sharing, Best, Nicolas
slower beat
I read the reason why rolex decreased the beat of the Zenith sourced movements is one of rolex conservatism.Lubricants were not so advanced then and a fast 36,000 beat would "dry" up the lubricants quicker , reliability issues.
Brilliant as always
I love these posts as they remind me why I sold everything and now just collect Daytonas LOL. Here is my 16520 A series with some nice food. Are you going to cover the Tropical and Patrizzi dialed Daytonas as a final tribute Regards Rene...
Patrizzi Daytonas
they are S, N, T and W serial black dialed 16520's where a brown discoloration has appeared in the subchapter rings, probably because of a defect of the paint . Here's a picture from my archives, sorry but I can't remember whose watch this is:...
Fabulous as always!
This is another fabulous post on the topic of daytona! It is a pleasure to read and learn. I must say the pictures are attractive! Hope to read more posts like this one! Thank you very much Jeff!
Thanks Dayman !
the Cosmograph topic is closed for the moment, but there are so many stories to tell... Cheers Jeff
