Our remarks

ROLEX Cosmograph Daytona "Patrizzi", Reference 16520, Black Dial, Dark Brown Sub Dials, Stainless Steel, W-Series, Box and Papers, Year 1996, Unpolished

The 16520 already earned its place in Daytona history as the first automatic reference, powered by a movement based on the Zenith El Primero, though build by Rolex themself. This particular example goes a step further, since it carries the dial variation collectors chase hardest, a dark Patrizzi dial.

The case is stainless steel, unpolished, still showing the sharp edges and even lugs that only survive when a watch has been left alone over the decades. That matters more with the 16520 than with most references, since a heavy polish is often the first thing that gives away a watch that has lost some of its originality.

The dial is black with the tachymeter scale on the fixed steel bezel, screw down pushers and Triplock crown that define the Zenith era Daytona. What sets it apart are the sub dials, originally silver but now turned a warm brown, a result of the organic Zapon lacquer Rolex used briefly in the mid-1990s before correcting the issue. That aging effect only appears on a narrow window of production, named after the auctioneer who first drew attention to it, and it turns what would already be a desirable Daytona into a genuine rarity.

The W serial on the case confirms production in 1996, placing this watch right in the middle of the short run where Patrizzi dials occur.

This example is in excellent condition, with no documented service history.

This Daytona Patrizzi comes with:

- Original box - inside and outside box

- Original papers - Amsterdam, 1996

- Description booklet

- Hang tag COSC

- Green Card holder

- calendar card 1996/1997

- Black Tritium Patrizzi dial with dark brown sub dials

- Collectors item

„ This is a a true collector's Daytona, rare not by design but by a quirk of watchmaking history that Rolex itself never intended!"