The Rolex Daytona and 'the only chronograph in the Rolex catalog home. For
chronograph watch means that in addition to the normal information (hours, minutes and seconds) and 'capable of measuring time intervals on command. I have chrono
usually two buttons, one at about 2 o'clock and one at about 4 am, riding the winding crown and setting.
The first button has the task to start and stop the chronograph function, the second to reset it.
on the dial are three counters: continuous seconds, minutes, chronograph hours crongrafiche.
The ring we find the tachometer, which is useful to know the speed 'average per km.
The chrono Rolex prior to 1988 were equipped tutti il movimento carica manuale derivato dal calibro 72 Valjoux.
The Rolex Daytona is the only chronograph in the Rolex catalog. By chronograph we mean a watch that in addition to the normal indicators (hours, minutes and seconds) is able to measure time intervals on command.
Chronographs generally have two buttons, one at approximately 2 o’clock and one at 4, on either side of the winding and regulating crown.
The first button starts and stops the chronograph function, the second resets it.
On the dial we find 3 counters: continuous second, chronographic minutes and chronographic hours.
On the bezel we find the tachometric scale, useful for knowing the average speed per kilometer.
All Chronographs Rolex before 1988 used the manual winding movement Valjoux taken from the 72 caliber.
Valjoux Movement was the most 'popular and reliable chronograph movement and the industrial period as is the case today was produced with different levels of trim (usually 5).
In chrono Rolex movement was mounted level with the most 'high finish,
as for other companies like Longines, Universal and c ...
The chrono Rolex from ref. 6239 to ref. 6263 clocks were considered a bit 'old-fashioned (or too far :-)) for the period production and snubbed by the market.
In the 60's wish was to watch the classic form, and extra-flat automatic in the 70's the trend was quartz clock or light emitting diodes, multi-function, while in the 90 years the clock had to be generous in size, Automatic, resistant and possibly an important brand.
this time Rolex had the watch at the right time, in 1988 was presented in the spring, during the Basel Fair ref. 16520. The Valjoux movement
Was The Most Widely Used and reliable industrial chronographic movement of the time like today and finishing Was produced with Various levels (usually 5).
In The Most Refined Chronographs Rolex Movements were mounted, as was done for other watch houses like Longines, Universal, etc.
Rolex chronographs from ref. 6239 to ref. 6263 were considered watches that were a bit out of style (or too far advanced ) for the period of production and were snubbed by the market.
In the 1960’s the most sought after watches had a classic form, extra flat and automatic winding. In the 1970’s the tendency was toward quartz or with luminescent diodes, and multifunctional, while in the 1990’s a watch needed to be quite large, automatic, resistant and if possible from an important brand.
This time Rolex had the right watch at the right time, in 1993 the ref. 16520 was presented in the spring during the Basel Exhibition.
Con il nuovo DAYTONA, Rolex presenta il suo primo crono automatico con un movimento denominato 4030 che era una sofisticata elaborazione del miglior movimento industriale del momento ,lo Zenith 400 El Primero.
With the new DAYTONA, Rolex presented it’s first automatic chronograph with the 4030 denominated movement which was a sophisticated enhancement of the best industrial movement of the moment, the Zenith 400 El Primero.
Rolex dovette elaborare profondamente iol calibro base Zenith El Primero, so much so that needed changes so that 200 could be equated to their quality standards. The first
necessary interventions were carried out to reduce the number of alternatives (from 36000 to 28000) and the decrease in frequency from 5 to 4 HZ
mounted on moving a barbell more 'big that oscillated at a frequency more' common to all low Rolex calibers of the moment.
Rolex cosi'ha simplified and improved the affidabilita'di that movement.
The bar has four races in Rolex Glucydur with Breguet and adjustment system Microstella.
lubricants used for 4030 were those of traditional media, while the Zenith El Primero was to use uno speciale lubrificante a secco a base di Bisolfuro di Molibdeno applicato mediante un procedimento di vaporizazione che richiederva attrezzature specifiche.
Tali modifiche consentano a Rolex di consigliare una revisione ogni 4 anni, tempo quasi doppio rispetto al calibro d'origine.
Rolex had to make significant enhancements to the base Zenith El Primero caliber, so much so that they needed to make 200 modifications so that it could meet their quality standards.
The first modifications necessary were done to reduce the number of vibrations (from 36000 to 28000) and the reduction of the frequency from 5 to 4 HZ
They mounted a larger counterweight on the movement that oscillated at a lower frequency which was common to all of the Rolex calibers at the time.
In this way Rolex simplified and improved the reliability of the movement.
The Rolex balance wheel has four glucydur spokes and Breguet overcoil and a microstella adjusting system.
The lubricants used for the 4030 were traditional fluids, while the Zenith for the El Primero had to use a special dry molybdenum disulfide based lubricant which was applied through a vaporization process that required special equipment.
These modifications allowed Rolex to suggest servicing every 4 years, almost double the time compared to the original caliber.
I movimenti 4030 montati sui Daytona prima serie R ref.16520/3/8 have a serial number between 10000 and 20000 (random number that takes into account the following serial L).
The 4030 Movements mounted on the first series Daytona R ref.16520/3/8 are serial numbered Between 10000 and 20000 (random numbering That Takes into consideration the later serial L).
The new Daytona is made of steel, and gold for the first time in steel and gold. The new Daytona
Was produced in steel, and gold for the first time in the Both steel and gold.
The watch features a sapphire crystal, and 'water-resistant to 100 meters and has a generous size, all these features combined with low production in the consequent difficulty of finding the market immediately turned it into a real and object of desire.
a commercial phenomenon, which results in long waiting lists at dealers, or sold "in parallel" at a price far higher than the list price.
Note how some of the first Daytona presented a serial number similar to the production of 1987, this is because the speakers, to get the clock in dealer immediately after the show, were necessarily made the year before the official presentation of the same.
Consider, in this regard that in the 80s the average time for development, design and test a model so 'radical' new (case and movement), were not less than four years.
Early models had engraved on the bezel 200, and the dial printed in white, black or champagne, with 5 words "loose".
The watch has a sapphire crystal, is waterproof up to 100 meters and is Generous in size. Characteristics All These together with the small number Produces the consequential and actual difficulty to find it on the market Transformed the Daytona immediately into a true object of desire.
A commercial phenomenon that translated into very long waiting lists at dealers, or the possibility to purchase them “alternatively” at prices much higher than the list price.
It is important to note that some of the first Daytonas carry a serial number similar to the 1987 production, this is because the cases, in order to make sure the watches arrived to the dealers immediately after the expo had to be made the year prior to the official unveiling.
You have to consider that in the 1980’s, the average time for development, planning and testing of a radically new model like this (case and movement) were no less than four years.
The first models had the bezel engraved at 200, and the printed dial in white, black or champagne, with 5 'separated' writings.
In 1987 Rolex reaches almost 10 million numbers, serial numbers that begin 'from 1954 (the first time renumbering) to 1987 (the second time renumbering.)
La Maison decides to precede the serial number of a letter, he chose the letters of the word Rolex, except for O which was too similar to a zero.
So, all the production which also included the first Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 had, as a good omen, the serial with the Rolex of R, then L, E, X.
The first issue with the letter R was R 200,000.
As usual Rolex renewed but without distorting,
then are still in this model of the common features of its predecessor, I am referring to the ring with a scale to 200.
Propio in reference to this latter, I had the pleasure of meeting in Geneva, at the Grand prix de'Horologerie one of the designers of the 16520. In 1987 Rolex
Reached Almost 10 million serial numbers, That started a numbering system from 1954 (first numbering time) to 1987 (second numbering time). The house decided therefore to precede the number with a letter. The choice was made to use the letters of the word Rolex, except for the O because it was too similar to a zero.
Therefore, the full production that also includes the first Rolex Daytona ref. 16520 had, for good luck, the serial number with the R of Rolex, later L, E, X.
The first numbering with the letter R was R 200,000.
Following tradition, Rolex enhanced without completely changing, so we find some of the characteristics in common with the previous series, I’m referring to the bezel with the 200 scale.
Regarding this, I had the pleasure to meet in Geneva, during the Grand Prix de’Horologerie, one of the designers of the 16520.
And just talking to him on the various developments of this reference are aware of a curious fact: often by going to Paris with a high speed train passed the time enjoying to measure the speed ' with its Daytona 16520 (funny that its being one of the prototypes did not have the serial and mounted quadrant test).
The train was traveling much more 'of 200km / h then he realized that for the modern world, with a measuring scale 200 was too low and suggested qiundi to redraw the scale with a limit more' high (400 UPH the first was built with intermediate 225).
Speaking with him about the various evolutions of this reference I found out a curious fact: he often travelled to Paris with a high speed train and would pass the time measuring the speed with his Daytona 16520 (interesting to note that because it was a prototype it did not have a serial number and used a trial dial).
The train travelled much faster than 200km/h so he realized that for the modern world, a gauge with a 200 scale was not sufficient and therefore proposed to redesign the scale with a higher limit (400 uph but the first was made with an intermediate 225).
Questo fa' si che la ghiera a 200 usci' di produzione dopo poco piu' a year after the presentation and became a rare and particularly the first series inprescindibile 16520.
Another interesting feature is' the face.
addition to the classic white, black and champagne
the Daytona R 16520 and 'features a dial with the inscription "Cosmograph" detached, called "floatting" than the rest of the writing. For some serial
DAYTONA R (and a few of the later series) and 'was fitted with a peculiar face dubbed by collectors porcelain dial.
A spectacular pearl white dial, where the writing seemed to float in the air.
This made the 200 bezel Went out of production after More Than Just a year after the presentation and became a rare and indispensable detail of the first series 16520.
Another interesting characteristic is the dial. Besides the classic colors white, black and champagne, the Daytona 16520 R is characterized by a dial with the writing “cosmograph” detached from the others, called “floating’.
For some of the DAYTONA series R (and for a few of the following series) a very peculiar dial was mounted, renamed by collectors as the porcelain dial.
A spectacular white pearled dial, where the writings seem to float on air.
Until 1990 all the entries are made with a graphic very thanks. This particularity 'and' due to the fact that the cliche ', used to print the dials were made by hand and the chisel used to cut the writing on the cliche' that ended with the end rounded.
To prevent the terminal had a rounded shape was used later engraving of small dimensions and form sharp affinchè venisse eliminata la rotondità finale delle lettere.
Questo spiega perche' molti quadranti presentano "graziature" piu' evidenti rispetto ad altre: i cliche' venivano realizzati a mano.
I quadranti erano prodotti per Rolex da SINGER.
Up until 1990 all the writings were made with a very graceful style. This detail is due to the fact that the cliché used to print the dials were made by hand and the burin used to inscribe the writings on the cliché ended with a rounded point.
In order to prevent the endings from being rounded, a second smaller pointed burin was used to eliminate the rounded endings of the letters.
This explains why many dials have more evident lines compared to others: Were the plates made by hand.
The dials for Rolex Were produced by SINGER.
Today, unfortunately, the inscriptions are made with the laser work
perfect finish and easy to make, but without the charm that has always distinguished from the craft industry.
Il bracciale e' l'evoluzione di quello della serie precedente.
E' un Oyster da 20 mm ref.78360 interamente satinato, con finali nominati 503, realizzati per alloggiare in una cassa senza fori delle anse.
Unfortunately today the writings are made with a laser. A method that makes perfect detail and is easy to reproduce, but lacks the charm that always distinguishes artisan work from industrial.
The bracelet is an evolution of the one from the previous series. It is a 20 mm satin finish Oyster ref. 78360 with endings numbered 503, made to be housed in a case without lug holes.
Il Daytona seriale R e' senza dubbio il 16520 di riferimento per il collezionista Rolex.
E 'that launched the myth of Daytona in the world, thanks to him have been rediscovered and revalued other references Daytona and has created and launched a new era of collecting.
E 'and that the first' was desired so much to be paid well above the list.
So really a legend.
The Daytona R series is without a doubt the reference 16520 for Rolex collectors.
It is the one the legendary Daytona Which Launched into the world, thanks to HIM the other references Daytona Were rediscovered and revalued and Launched a new era of collecting.
It Was That Was the first I know many Sought That Were Willing to Pay Much More Than the list price.
In short, truly a legend.
.Buon Natale e tanta felicita' .
Merry Christmas and much happiness.
Stefano Mazzariol
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