1993-1994 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona “Zenith” Ref. 16520 White Dial – Full Set

In 1988, to mark the twenty-fifth anniversary of its Cosmograph Daytona, Rolex unveiled reference 16520: the first automatic Daytona, with a sapphire crystal and a case enlarged to 40 mm. Produced until 2000, it is the quintessential “neo-vintage” Daytona, nicknamed “Zenith” by collectors. In 1975, at the height of the quartz crisis, Zenith’s American management ordered the destruction of the tooling for the El Primero, one of the very first automatic chronographs in the world: watchmaker Charles Vermot disobeyed and secretly walled up presses, plans and tooling in an attic of the workshops. Ten years later, the modern Daytona would be born of that attic. Transformed by Rolex – more than half of its components replaced, its frequency lowered to 28,800 vibrations per hour – the El Primero became caliber 4030, a Superlative Chronometer.
Our example, produced in 1993 (serial number S159xxx), features the highly sought-after white “inverted 6” dial – a variant produced from 1990 to early 1993, of which the S serial marks the final production – with tritium-based luminous hands and hour markers, and its original Oyster bracelet ref. 78390. The watch has undergone a full service by one of our experienced watchmakers.
What is more, this Daytona comes with its original “Full Set”: punched warranty bearing the watch’s individual serial number and recording an initial sale in September 1994 at an official Rolex retailer in Bolzano (Italy), green Rolex box and outer box, calendar from the year of the initial sale, green leather document wallet – as well as our Steel Warranty Card.
The first automatic Daytona, born of a walled-up attic and graced with one of the most sought-after dials of its lineage, this 16520 in very fine overall condition stands as a milestone in Rolex history. Collectors will recognise it at once: this is a rare opportunity.

In 1963, Rolex unveiled the Cosmograph Daytona, a chronograph dedicated to motor racing, which would remain manually wound for a quarter of a century. In 1988, for its twenty-fifth anniversary, the brand reinvented it: reference 16520 introduced the first automatic Daytona, adopted a sapphire crystal and enlarged the case to 40 mm. Produced until 2000, it is today the quintessential “neo-vintage” Daytona – the one collectors nickname “Zenith”, after the manufacture from which its caliber derives.

For its movement carries one of the finest stories in modern watchmaking. In 1969, Zenith had launched the El Primero, one of the very first automatic chronographs in the world, beating at 36,000 vibrations per hour. In 1975, at the height of the quartz crisis, the manufacture’s American management ordered all mechanical tooling to be destroyed: watchmaker Charles Vermot disobeyed, secretly walling up one hundred and fifty presses, together with the complete plans and tooling for the caliber, in an attic of the workshops. Ten years later, when Rolex was looking for an automatic chronograph base for its Daytona, the El Primero was reborn solely thanks to that attic. The modern Daytona literally owes its existence to one man’s disobedience.

In Rolex’s hands, however, the El Primero was transformed: four years of development and more than half of its components replaced – frequency lowered to 28,800 vibrations per hour in favour of reliability, date removed, Glucydur balance with Microstella regulation, Breguet overcoil hairspring. Caliber 4030 thus earned the title of Superlative Chronometer, attested by the five lines of text on the dial.

The example we are pleased to offer, produced in 1993 (serial number S159xxx), features the highly sought-after white “inverted 6” dial: on the hour counter, the “6” appears to read as a “9” – a variant produced only from 1990 to early 1993, of which the S serial marks the final production. Tritium-based luminous hands and hour markers (“T SWISS MADE T” at 6 o’clock), bezel graduated to 400 units: the configuration is entirely consistent. The original Oyster bracelet ref. 78390, with 503B end links and clasp code T1 (January 1994), is equally so. The watch has undergone a full service by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs within the strictest tolerances.

What is more, we are delighted to present this Daytona with its original “Full Set”: original punched warranty bearing the watch’s individual serial number and country code 170 (Italy), recording an initial sale on 12 September 1994 at Josef Pörnbacher di Dieter Nones & Co. S.N.C., official Rolex retailer in Bolzano; green Rolex box and its outer box with tree-bark pattern; Rolex calendar from the year of the initial sale; green leather Rolex document wallet. Finally, it comes with our Steel Warranty Card.

The first automatic Daytona, born of a walled-up attic and graced with one of the most sought-after dials of its lineage, this 16520 in very fine overall condition stands as a milestone in Rolex history. Collectors will recognise it at once: this is a rare opportunity.

This Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 16520, known as the “Zenith”, is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The steel case retains its original proportions, and the contrast between the satin-brushed and mirror-polished surfaces is crisp. The graduated bezel is particularly beautiful, with no loss of black lacquer in its engravings. The reference and serial numbers between the lugs are perfect.
The original white dial, known as the “inverted 6” dial and signed “T SWISS MADE T” at 6 o’clock, is superb, free of stains, scratches and discolouration.
The automatic mechanical chronograph movement, certified as a chronometer, has undergone a complete overhaul by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs within the strictest tolerances.
The original steel Rolex Oyster bracelet, reference 78390, with 503B end links and clasp code T1 (produced in January 1994), is in excellent condition, with no stretch.
The original “punched” Rolex warranty document is in excellent condition, as are the original box and its outer box with tree-bark pattern.
An ideal example!

All the watches available on our website have been meticulously inspected by our team of experts to guarantee their authenticity and originality.

All our watches are systematically checked for mechanical function and precision, and undergo a complete overhaul if necessary.

Every watch sold is covered by a two-year warranty.

Find out more about The Amplitude° Guarantee.

We ship all watches ordered on our website free of charge worldwide.

Any customs or import duties/taxes are the responsibility of the buyer.

Amplitude uses several specialized and secure carriers, depending on the destination of each parcel and its contents (Malca Amit, Ferrari, FedEx, etc.).

We are used to shipping watches all over the world, including to Europe, the United States and Asia. Find out more about Shipping & Deliveries at Amplitude.