Rolex

The Rolex reference 16520 'Zenith' Daytona was in  production spanning from 1988 to 2000. This iconic timepiece was Rolex's first automatic chronograph, and was the first to be housed within the legendary 40 mm case. Notably, it boasted a significantly modified Zenith El Primero movement, earning it the distinctive "Zenith" moniker.

Throughout its 12-year lifespan, the Zenith Daytona underwent several changes, encompassing five distinct versions or 'marks' of the dial. The culminating transformation occurred in 1999, introducing luminova and a redesigned bracelet. The present lot, made in 1998 as indicated by its serial number, showcases a Mark IV dial, the final iteration to feature tritium luminous markers. This mark dial was the one most commonly used in the 16520 and therefore the one usually associated with the watch.

The reference 16520 holds enduring allure for collectors, serving as a captivating intersection between the old and new epochs of the Cosmograph Daytona lineage. It stands as a testament to Rolex's dual achievement—it marked the inception of their first automatic chronograph movement they ever made, and was the last outsourced movement to be featured in a Rolex case.