Rolex - Daytona – Patrizzi – 16520 – 1996

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Location: United States

Year: 1996

Reference number: 16520

Accessories: Watch Only

Condition: Very Good

Material: Oystersteel

Color Dial: Black with oxidized Patrizzi (tropical) sub-dials

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 16520 marked a turning point for the model line, introducing Rolex's first self-winding movement to the Daytona after decades of manual-wind execution, and it quickly became one of the most sought-after references in the collection. This example carries a genuine "Patrizzi" dial, named for the Geneva auctioneer Osvaldo Patrizzi, who first drew collector attention to a subset of early 16520 dials whose chronograph sub-registers have oxidized from black to a warm brown or chocolate tone over time, a naturally occurring lacquer reaction rather than a factory specification. Cased in 40mm Oystersteel with Rolex's signature tachymeter bezel and a steel Oyster bracelet, the contrast between the black dial surface and the tropical sub-dials is exactly what collectors seek out in a genuine Patrizzi example.

Inside is Rolex's Caliber 4030, a self-winding chronograph movement developed from a Zenith El Primero base and substantially reworked by Rolex, including a reduction of the beat rate to 28,800 vibrations per hour and the addition of Rolex's own chronograph module. The movement offers a power reserve of approximately 50 hours, and the case carries 100 meters of water resistance with Rolex's screw-down pushers and crown, a Daytona hallmark that keeps the chronograph functions sealed against moisture during use.

• Brand: Rolex
• Model: Cosmograph Daytona
• Reference: 16520
• Case: Oystersteel
• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Dial: Black with oxidized "Patrizzi" (tropical) sub-dials
• Movement: Caliber 4030, self-winding chronograph (Zenith El Primero-based)
• Power Reserve: Approximately 50 hours
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 metres
• Strap/Bracelet: Oystersteel bracelet
• Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, chronograph (30-minute and 12-hour registers), tachymeter scale
• Special Features: Genuine Patrizzi tropical sub-dials, a rare and highly sought-after dial variant on this reference; Rolex's first self-winding Daytona movement; screw-down chronograph pushers