
One of Rolex's best value investments nowadays.
1991 Rolex Daytona Zenith Ref. 16520 'Inverted 6' Full Set
Reference: 16520
Serial: E953xxx
Year: 1991
Case: All Stainless Steel
Dimensions: 40mm excluding original crown
Function: Chronograph
Caliber: Rolex cal. 4030 Automatic
Strap: 20mm Rolex Oyster 78360 bracelet stamped P2
Crystal: Sapphire
Box/Papers: Yes/yes
Even as the Daytona in its various flavors continues to clock new price milestones – MK1 Oyster “Paul Newman” Daytona, Oyster Sotto Newman, unique pieces and svelte plastic crystal 62xx references with their timeless 36mm cases and slender 19mm lug width – this article is devoted to that other branch of the family, the legendary Zenith-powered 165xx.
The story begins in 1988 at Baselworld when Rolex unveiled the newest incarnation, and most significant redesign of their flagship sports watch, the automatic Daytona. The 16520 Daytona heralded the introduction of a new 40mm case and a sapphire crystal. The previous 62xx Daytonas all had plexi crystals and so the introduction of the robust sapphire crystals on the new case meant that Rolex was able to guarantee the watches to a depth rating of 100m (330ft).
The first self-winding chronograph from Rolex is the Zenith-powered 165xx. The so-called Zenith Daytonas have long been of keen interest to collectors and they increased steeply in value when the latest version of the steel Daytona was released at Baselworld 2016. It’s an interesting pattern with Rolex watches – as new iterations of models are released, older versions steadily appreciate. The 165xx series watches have almost doubled in value over the past two or three years.
It was this watch that began the Daytona mania that has never really died down. There is seemingly always a waiting list for newly released steel sports watches from Rolex, which often dies down once the initial clamor subsides a little. The Daytona seems to buck this trend and getting a new steel Daytona from an authorized dealer has always been something of a dark art.
Like all Rolex wristwatches, the older the Zenith Daytonas become, the more interest grows amongst collectors. The steel 16520 is now three generations old, having been superceded twice by the 116520 in 2000 and the 116500 in 2016. And so, the Zenith-powered Daytona has developed a following. This is largely since it is possibly one of the last production Rolex watches to feature a number of significant variations to the dial and bezels.
Offered for sale here is an extremely beautiful example of a MK3 16520. The ‘6’ at the hour counter is still inverted and there are still (as per the MK1 and MK2) four hash markers in each five-minute subsection of the minute register. This dial saw the reintroduction of “OFFICIALLY CERTIFIED” (not seen since the MK1 dial) but all five lines are evenly spaced together below the Rolex coronet.
This example here is in extraordinarily good shape, with little aging. The 40mm excluding the original crown and the screw pushers stainless steel case has no scratches or dents, showing a nice polishing, as well as the Oyster bracelet with solid links and endlinks that shows any stretch.
This one is presented with the original guarantee stamped papers confirming the sale in 1991 by a Spanish jeweler, country where we bought it from the first owner. Inner box, wallet, calendar, translation booklet and Rolex Oyster Perpetual manual included.
It is running at COSC specs because it has been fully serviced by our qualified watchmaker.
It comes suited on the original Rolex Oyster 78360 bracelet stamped P2.
Indeed, a beautiful watch with sporty yet classy looks perfect for any time and that will certainly keep seeing an increase in value over the next few years.