2004 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116520 – White Dial

Introduced in 2000, the 116520 debuted Rolex caliber 4130, the first chronograph movement developed and produced entirely in-house by Rolex. Moreover, with its 40 mm Oyster case in 904L steel and its engraved tachymeter bezel, it would remain, until 2016-2017, the last “all-steel” Daytona, before the switch to Cerachrom ceramic.
The example we are pleased to offer dates from 2004 (serial no. F214xxx) and is in excellent overall condition. The white dial with black sub-dials and the sapphire crystal are flawless. The movement, fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers, runs within the strictest tolerances (amp. 290°, +1 s/d, beat error 0.0 ms). The original Oyster bracelet ref. 78490 is very well preserved. The watch comes in its green Rolex box (without papers) and with our Steel Warranty Card.
A pivotal Daytona reference, with an “all-steel” silhouette that will not return, this is an excellent example, perfect for everyday wear.

Launched in 1963, the Cosmograph Daytona was long Rolex’s problem child before becoming one of the most coveted watches of the 20th century. For its first 25 years, it remained a manually wound chronograph fitted with modified Valjoux movements (ref. 6239, 6262, 6265…). The turning point came in 1988 with reference 16520, the first automatic Daytona, powered by a Zenith El Primero caliber reworked by Rolex – a provisional solution, pending an in-house movement.

In 2000, reference 116520 thus marked the introduction of caliber 4130, the first chronograph movement developed and produced entirely in-house by Rolex. Column-wheel architecture and vertical clutch, Parachrom hairspring, 72 hours of power reserve thanks to a larger barrel made possible by reducing the number of components: at its launch, the 4130 set the benchmark among automatic chronographs, and it continues to serve as the base for current Daytona production.

The 116520 retains the 40 mm Oyster case in 904L steel so characteristic of the Daytona line, with screw-down caseback and Triplock crown, topped by a steel bezel engraved with a tachymeter scale – it would remain, until 2016-2017, the last Daytona reference to receive a steel bezel, before the general switch to black Cerachrom ceramic. Two dial colours were produced side by side throughout the model’s sixteen years (2000-2016): black and white. The bracelet is the steel Oyster ref. 78490, with Solid End Links (standard on the Daytona from 1999 onwards), fitted with the Oysterlock clasp.

The example we are pleased to offer dates from 2004 (serial number F214xxx) and is in excellent overall condition. The steel case retains its original proportions and finishes, alternating satin-brushed surfaces with mirror-polished flanks. The white dial with black sub-dials and the sapphire crystal are flawless. The movement, Rolex caliber 4130, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs within the strictest tolerances – post-service measurements show an amplitude of 290°, a rate of +1 s/d and a beat error of 0.0 ms – an absolutely ideal reading. The Oyster bracelet ref. 78490, whose CL end-link code also dates its production to 2004, is likewise very well preserved. The watch comes in a green Rolex box (without papers) and with our Steel Warranty Card.

A pivotal reference in the history of the Daytona, and the first chapter in a lineage of fully in-house Rolex chronographs that now spans a quarter of a century, the 116520 combines strong historical significance, mechanics that remain thoroughly current and an “all-steel” silhouette that will not return. Its status as the last Daytona with a steel bezel makes it, in our view, one of the most enduring references to acquire today for anyone wishing to combine everyday wear with collecting interest.

This Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116520 is preserved in excellent overall condition.
The steel case retains its original proportions and finishes, alternating satin-brushed surfaces with mirror-polished flanks.
The white dial with black sub-dials and the sapphire crystal are flawless.
The movement, Rolex caliber 4130, has been fully serviced by one of our experienced watchmakers and runs within the strictest tolerances – post-service measurements show an amplitude of 290°, a rate of +1 s/d and a beat error of 0.0 ms – an absolutely ideal reading.
The Oyster bracelet ref. 78490, whose CL end-link code also dates its production to 2004, is likewise very well preserved.
An excellent example!

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