ROLEX | Daytona, Ref 116520 A Stainless Steel Chronograph Wristwatch with Bracelet Circa 2011
Estimate: $15,000-25,000
1963 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster
Estimate: €1,400,000-1,600,000
The Daytona ref. 16520 was the stainless steel version of the brand’s first generation of automatic chronographs, and right out of the gate, it was a smash hit. Proudly modern in design, the Oyster cases of the Daytona 16520 grew to a contemporary 40mm in size, included crown guards for the first time, and were fitted with sapphire crystals rather than acrylic ones. On the other hand, familiar design traits of later vintage Daytona models carried through to the modern automatic Daytona watches - metal bezels engraved with a tachymeter scale, three registers on the dial, and screw-down chronograph pushers.
A true modern classic and the ultimate example of the famed 300SL model line. This matching numbers example was delivered new with an alloy block engine and disc brakes – the ultimate accessories for the quintessential Mercedes-Benz post-war Sports Car.
Though separated by decades in their creation, both the Rolex and the Mercedes-Benz pictured here are representative of true collecting staples within their respective genres.