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Extraordinary example of Rolex Zenith Daytona ref. 16520, manufactured in 1994.
This specimen is preserved in a wonderful overall condition. The amazing black dial is enhanced by the charming chocolate brown tone of the registers.
Sold by the Italian retailer Biondi in 1995, it is accompanied by the original Rolex guarantee and booklets.
For the Daytona’s 25th anniversary, Rolex surprised the public at the 1988 Basel fair by introducing the first self winding chronograph model in its history. The newly launched reference 16520 was powered by a derivative of Zenith’s El Primero calibre, substantially modified by Rolex. It was the first Daytona to be equipped with a sapphire crystal and a new larger diameter of 39mm.
The launch of the 16520 was an immediate success and elevated the Daytona to its current mythical status.
Case n.: S817xxx
Cal.: Automatic, cal. 4030
Diam.: 39mm
Box & Papers: Original Rolex Guarantee and booklets
Manufactured in: 1994
Daytona Beach, Florida. Long, flat and firm, with hard-packed sand, the beach helped the city of Daytona to forge a legend as the world capital of speed. It boasts 14 world land speed records set between 1904 and 1935, five of them by Rolex-wearer Sir Malcolm Campbell. Over the years, the sand deteriorated. By 1959, a “Super Speedway” was built: the Daytona International Speedway. Follow this link to learn all about the legendary Rolex Daytona references...
THE COSMOGRAPH DAYTONA 1963
Launched in 1963 as a new-generation chronograph, the Cosmograph soon gained the name that became the mark of an icon: Daytona. Designed as the ultimate tool for endurance racing drivers, the Cosmograph Daytona was robust, waterproof and featured a tachymetric scale on the bezel for calculating average speed. Follow this link to learn more about the Evolution of the Oyster Daytona...
Birth of a Horological Icon Timepiece
The myth around the iconic Rolex Daytona has spread around the world recent years. Always has the Daytona model been attached to motor racing, at first Rolex called their new Cosmograph the “Le Mans” and little later to “Daytona” when Rolex started to sponsor the well known U.S. speedway.
Cosmograph: a name that was to be the forerunner of great fortune. Actually, the choice of the name proved to be neither easy nor expected. Whilst Rolex on the one hand flirted with the car-racing world, on the other hand it could not remain unaware of the vast media attention, which at that time was surrounding the conquest of outer space.