Description

The Daytona story began like a love story with racecar drivers, one of the most successful drivers used to wear Rolex watches was Sir Malcom Campbell who set many speed records in Europe and in a Florida city called Daytona Beach, he attracted the attention of Rolex and became their ambassador.

In 1955 version, the Reference 6234, was labeled the “Rolex Chronograph” a pre-Daytona model.
The birth, in 1963 the Rolex Chronograph reference 6239 with a tachometer scale engrave on the bezel to enhance readability of the dial was released, incredibly the initial name Rolex used was “Le Mans”, another famous racetrack based in France.  It’s only by 1965 that the *Daytona* name started to be printed on the dial of the 6239.

Surprisingly the Daytona wasn’t a success back then, despite celebrities like Paul Newman endorsing it.
Eventually the model became popular and a more modern version was released in 1988 using an automatic Zenith “El Primero” modified movement, the reference 16520 (steel), reference 16523 (in steel and gold) and reference 16528 (in yellow gold).  Main difference was the case size of 40mm, 3mm bigger than its predecessor and the adoption of a sapphire crystal to replace the Plexiglas.  The limited supply helped the watch achieve a cult status.

By 2000, Rolex started to use an in-house movement on the new 1165xx series, the steel version remains as of today the most sought after model of the entire catalogue.

*The present watch is a very rare, Cosmograph Daytona (reference 16520 L series) originally sold by the famous American retailer Tiffany & Co. around 1989.

Highly collectible due to the fact that the black gloss dial is double signed, a few little words can sometime make a big difference, as we see here the very sought after “Tiffany & Co.” is stamped below another rare feature only seen in two series (R and early L) the “Floating Cosmograph” inscription which is detached from the first four lines of text.

Applied luminous hands as well as the square and baton numerals, another important detail is the “inverted 6” on the lowest subsidiary register, a particularity appreciated by collectors today.

The tachometer bezel is the very 1st variation, graduated from 60 until 200 units per hour with the “unit per hour” text written at 3 o’clock.
The 40mm steel case is preserved in an excellent condition as well as the oyster matt bracelet with hardly any sign of wear, without any stretch and fitted with a deployant clasp.    Overall the watch is in an almost unworn condition with minor sign of wear.

The extreme rarity is also due to the fact that in the 1990s, Rolex ended its partnership with Tiffany so ever since no more T&Co stamped watches were made.
This offering is almost a complete set, only the warranty certificate is missing, it is accompanied by a presentation box with the outer carton box and the manual of instructions.

With regards to the provenance, it is well documented and at disposal upon request.

– This timepiece is available for viewing by appointment.

Rolex – bio

Founded in 1905 by Hans Wilsdorf and Alfred Davis in London, initially as Wilsdorf & Davis Ltd. Renamed Rolex by 1908 and moved its base of operations to Geneva, Switzerland in 1919.  Their success is due to their innovation namely the legendary “Oyster” case – first water resistant watch and their extremely reliable movements.
The most famous models are Datejust, Day-Date, Daytona, Explorer, GMT-Master, Submariner and many more.
The company is owned by the Hans Wilsdorf Foundation, a family private trust.
One story, never confirmed by Wilsdorf, recounts that the name came from the French words “horlogerie exquise”, meaning “exquisite clockwork”.