Rolex Daytona 16520 Black Dial,full set, New Old Stock

In 1988, Rolex faced a problem: the manufacture had never produced an automatic chronograph movement, and the Daytona was falling behind the times. The solution was as pragmatic as it was inspired. Rolex turned to Zenith, acquired the legendary El Primero caliber, modified it extensively, and launched the Reference 16520: the first automatic Daytona in history. Collectors immediately christened it the "Daytona Zenith", a name that has never left it. This example, from the A series of 1999, is presented in New Old Stock condition with its complete original set, one of the finest possible states in which a 16520 can be found today.

Key Specifications

Reference	16520
Year	1999 (A series)
Condition	New Old Stock (unworn, original lacquer on case and bracelet)
Case	Stainless steel, 40 mm, screw-down caseback, crown guards
Dial	Black, MK4 configuration, applied baton indices, contrasting white subdials
Crystal	Sapphire with anti-reflective coating
Movement	Automatic, Caliber 4030 (Zenith El Primero, modified by Rolex), 31 jewels, 28,800 vph
Bracelet	Oyster, stainless steel, blind folding clasp
Accessories	Original Rolex box, original guarantee papers, certificate of authenticity (super full set)

Collector's Note

The MK4 dial on this example, produced between 1993 and 1998, is one of the most appreciated configurations among Zenith Daytona collectors. It retains the five lines of text characteristic of the early production dials, with the "6" now printed in its correct upright orientation, correcting the inverted "6" that appeared on earlier MK1 through MK3 examples. The MK4 represents the mature, fully resolved version of the Zenith Daytona dial.

New Old Stock means this watch has never been worn. The original lacquer on the case and bracelet surfaces remains intact, the dial is in pristine factory condition, and the movement has never been serviced because it has never needed to be. Finding a 16520 in NOS condition with a complete set is an exceptional occurrence. The 16520 was discontinued in 2000 when Rolex introduced its in-house Caliber 4130, and examples in this state of preservation become rarer with every passing year.

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