ROLEX DAYTONA VINTAGE TO CURRENT DAY
With many Global iconic brands the designers usually revert back to the original design of their product and take inspiration from this when creating a new model. This is clear to see here from the original Daytona model 6263 which was launched in the 1970’s having a steel bezel with a black acrylic insert shown on the far left image above and then the same design using the black now ceramic bezel on the current 2020 model 116500LN which is sold today. The 6265 with the full steel bezel was in production at the same time as the 6263 and was then superseded by the 16520 shown here in the image above center right. This watch had the fixed steel bezel and the “modified” El Primero out sourced movement. This model was in production from 1989 until 1999 and is shown here with the white dial and black sub dial chapter rings.
The “Zenith” Daytona was made with either a white dial or all black, some early models had porcelain “floating” dials and now sell for 6 figure sum. Some black dial Daytona made between 1994 and 1995 used an organic varnish called Zapon to protect the dial. This started to change the colour of the outer tracks on the sub dials as they oxidised turning them a brown colour and these are now nicknamed Patrizzi dials as this watch maker/ restorer was the first person to recognise this.
The replacement for the 16520 Zenith was the model 116520 also with the fixed steel bezel continuing the same design it looked very similar to the previous model, however it now had an in house Rolex calibre 4130 and a new heavier case and heavier more robust bracelet. The production of the early white dial models had it own challenges as the bright white dials faded to a rich cream. Many watches were retuned to Rolex as everyone thought they was a production fault some years on and a new white dial was fitted, I include myself in this faux pas. The early watches that didn’t get returned as ‘faulty’ now sell for 50% more than the later ones and are nicknamed ‘Panna’ and very desirable.
In 2016 Rolex added a ceramic bezel to the 116520 and as they do with every case or movement alteration changed the model code to 116500LN, the only difference with this new model is the bezel, the watch is exactly the same as the 116520 apart from the bezel which in design takes us back to the original 6263.
Collecting Daytona models from the different periods over the last 50 years can be very rewarding and a great investments if the right models are purchased. If you are interested in discussing your next purchase please get in touch to make an appointment
