ROLEX | DAYTONA INVERTED SIX, REFERENCE 16520, STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH WITH BRACELET, CIRCA 1991

The Rolex Daytona is synonymous with prestige and racing since its introduction in 1963. The reference 6239 started the Daytona legacy of manually wound models until Rolex released the all-new reference 16520 in 1988. The unequivocally modernised Daytona now boasted a more contemporary 40mm case which concealed an automatic movement for the first time in the chronograph's history. The timepiece relied on the calibre 4030, essentially a legendary Zenith El Primero ébauche on which Rolex replaced almost 60% of the components to further-increase reliability and service intervals. Many Daytona collectors consider the 16520 to be the initiator of a long lasting passion, as the timepiece saw its demand surge in the 1990s. Since then, the stainless steel Daytona has constantly enjoyed an incredibly desirable status and commanded lengthy waitlists at retailers. The reference 16520 was discontinued in 2000, as Rolex introduced its own manufacture calibre, the 4130.

The present Rolex Daytona 16520 was manufactured in 1991 and conceals a most sought-after "inverted six" black dial. This dial type was produced by Singer from early 1991 until 1993 and displays several unique traits such as the upside-down 6 to the bottom subdial, the absence of serif to most of 5 text lines and the use of a rounder font for the numbers. The nicely preserved watch was serviced in 2014 and is fittingly celebrating the 50 year anniversary of the El Primero calibre.