2000 Rolex Daytona Ref. 116520 P-Series MK1 'Cream dial' w/ Papers

There have been three series of the Cosmograph Daytona. Prior to the release of the "Daytona", Rolex produced chronographs using movements sourced from outside manufacturers housed in conventional and, starting in the 1940s, Oyster cases. Rolex introduced a more modern chronograph in 1955, designated Reference 6234, and manufactured approximately 500 per year until 1961, the year it was discontinued. The dial of Reference 6234 was not marked "Cosmograph" or "Daytona". The Reference number is marked on the side of the case at the 12 o'clock position, where it is hidden under the strap lugs. Reference 6234 has three smaller sub-dials, to mark the passage of seconds up to 60 seconds (at the 9 o'clock position), minutes up to 30 minutes (at the 3 o'clock position), and hours up to 12 hours (at the 6 o'clock position); all of these match the color of the main dial. It also featured a tachymeter scale on the outer chapter ring, and a telemeter scale on the inner chapter ring. Reference 6234 was succeeded by Reference 6238, which dropped the telemeter scale and updated its appearance to include many features that would be adopted for its successor Reference 6239.

 

Rolex became the official timekeeper of the Daytona International Speedway in 1962, and to mark the occasion, Reference 6234 was replaced with Cosmograph Reference 6239, introduced in 1963 as the first chronograph from Rolex nicknamed "Daytona". However, the original Reference 6239 did not include "Daytona" on the dial (and was in fact nicknamed "Le Mans" for the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans race). In addition to the chronograph features, the wristwatch featured a bezel engraved with a tachymeter, as the watch was intended for racing drivers.

Offered for sale here is an extremely beautiful example of a Rolex Daytona Cosmograph Panna. Belonging to the P serial range, it is part of the first series of ref. 116520 that was released just after the so called Rolex Zenith Ref. 16520. These MK1s ref. 116520 receive the nick name “cream dial” due to the champagne tone the dial acquires only in this batch, making it very rare and the most sough-after for savvy collectors.

 

Being the most sough-after version, this example here is in extraordinarily good shape, with little aging. The 40mm excluding the original crown and the screw pushers stainless steel case remains thick and robust, as well as the Oyster bracelet with solid links and end links.

 

This one is presented with the original guarantee stamped papers confirming the sale in 2001 by a Spanish jeweler, country where we bought it from the first owner.

 

It is running at COSC specs.

 

It comes suited on the original Rolex Oyster 78480 bracelet stamped AD4.

 

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.