DAYTONA 116520 - by STEFANO MAZZARIOL

Here is the first news of 2021 !! ..
We have the privilege of presenting you, within our blog, some of the articles that Stefano Mazzariol wrote for his online library (www.mazzariolstefanolibrary.com.)
A huge collection, certainly the most complete on the web, with articles, photos of the highest quality and impressive details relating to dials and references.
We asked Stefano if he would like to share with us some of the studies done on references and dials ..
here is the first dedicated to 116520, all you need to know about this reference .. and in the end, you will find the sweatshirt inspired by this article. 
ENJOY THE READING
Luke of ICDV
 
 

 

Study on the Rolex Daytona ref. 116520: history, the Marks and evolution - Mazzariol Stefano Library
Let's talk today about the Rolex Daytona model that took the place of the iconic reference 16520 that went out of production in 2001, the Daytona ref. 116520, the sportsman destined to become the new dream of modern collectors, now entered the Olympus of vintage since 2016, the year of its production exit.
The 116520 was presented as early as 2000 as evidenced by the date imprinted in this Japanese booklet.
 
 
To demonstrate that the ref. 1165 ** was already marketed at the end of 2000 we show you the guarantee of this model in gold ref. 116528 serial A96 **** year 2000.
The hallmarks of the Daytona 116520
The Daytona 116520 was the first watch to feature the caliber 4130 entirely made by Rolex, with the new parachrom hairspring (from 2000) turning blue in 2005 as we will see later. In all models of this reference, the glass is engraved with the Rolex crown at 6 o'clock.
 

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Born in a context of economic crisis, the 116520 has been sold at list prices for many years and only in recent years has it started following the trend of 16520.
In fact, just think that a 116520 used in 2009 could cost around 7.000, today the same watch can cost around 15.000-18.000, approximately 200% more (June 2019 estimate).
From 2001 to today, I have had the opportunity to study many specimens that have allowed me to be among the first to recognize the marks of the Daytona 116520 thanks also to the precious help of my friend Pino from Orologi & Passioni.
In my opinion, the differences in the dials are really minimal and have no influence on the "added" value of the watch. I would aim, to find a particularity, more on the first models, with the first superluminova dials and slim hands, now no longer available as spare parts and then backwards to the last mirrored APH compax chromalight.
Let's see in detail how to recognize them.
The thickness of the characters is never an element to be taken into consideration. The dials were in fact made by hand with silicone molds and a different pressure exerted by the operator or the wear of the cliché could affect the thickness of the paint and the quality. It is therefore possible to come across dials belonging to the same Mark with different thicknesses.
The parameters that come into play are the alignment of the writings, the circles of the compax, the length of the notches of the small parts with the words Swiss Made, the fonts used.
Here we will try to provide you with the simplest and most immediate method possible.
As with the other Rolex models, the dials for 116520 were also produced by Stern, Beyeler and Singer.
And now let's go into detail.
STERN was the manufacturer of the special dials, that is, the stone and diamond dials (the back is marked ROLEX 1).
The dials produced by BEYELER have the back with the Rolex 2 engraving.
The manufacturer SINGER marks the back of the Rolex 3 dial.
MK1, MK2 and MK3 have in common the long and narrow hands inherited from the predecessor model ref. 16520 and its variations in gold (16523 and 16528).

Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 ser. F3657 ** with slim hands (which we can find from serial P to medium-high serial F in the Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3).

 

From medium-high F onwards, the spheres are wider

Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 ser. Z6974 ** with large balls.

 

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From 2000/2001 to 2005 the MK1, Mk2 and MK3 quadrants coexisted simultaneously, so there is no direct correspondence between mark and year of production.
 
MK1
The Mk1 dial is certainly the rarest, as indeed happens for all the first series and we can find it mounted from 2000 to 2005 on the P, K, Y, F, D serials.
Years of production: 2001 to 2005.
The back of the dial bears the initials "Rolex 2" which identifies the manufacturer Beyeler

 

As can be seen from the macro, in the MK1 the P of Perpetual remains to the right of the red alignment line.
Rolex's O is aligned with Officially's L and Cosmograph's M

Alignment of lettering in MK1

 

The Daytona lettering is marked and not very graceful.
The counter at 3 o'clock in the Mk1 dial is made up of 11 circles (we only have to count the rounded parts).
Swiss Made writing: dto note the E of Made: it is not graced and is far from the notch of small parts.
We superimpose the Swiss Made lettering between a Mk1 and a Mk2.
As you can see the writings are staggered, they do not match. This is the test to do whenever we are in doubt about the mark of an 116520 dial.
 
The first 116520 models with the P, K, Y and F serials with the white MK1, Mk2 and Mk3 dials could turn to cream (sometimes even tending to green).

Rolex Daytona 116520 ser. P8143 **

Comparison with 116520 ser. P9262 ** with white dial (no cream)
THE MOVEMENT
The 4130 caliber mounted on the new ref. 116520 was introduced in 2000. It consists of only 290 elements, far fewer than a traditional chronograph. It is also equipped with the Parachrom spiral spring, thinner than a hair and made of a highly stable paramagnetic alloy based on niobium and zirconium. This spiral spring is not affected by magnetic fields and has an impact resistance up to 10 times higher than a normal one. Since 2005 it is blue in color and is a Rolex patent (Parachrom Blue).
The document confirms that the Parachrom hairspring has actually been incorporated into the 4130 caliber since early 2000, but also points out that for the first five years the hairspring was not blue in color. In 2005, the Parachrom Blue version of the hairspring was introduced, with a patented oxide coating, which improved the stability and speed of the original Parachrom hairspring.

White parachrom

 

Parachrom blue

 

 

The movement graphics of the Daytona ref. 116520 changed in the course of production.
Below we show you the evolution of the movements from the first series with the P serial, up to the end of the alphanumeric series.

serial P53 **** year 2000

serial F36 **** year 2003

 

serial Z95 **** year 2007

 

serial V46 **** year 2008

 

serial F52 alphanumeric year 2011

 

 

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904 L steel
In the kit of some Rolex watches marketed from 2005 onwards in Italy, you can find this card that identifies the type of steel used by Rolex to make the watch.
It is a particular superalloy called OYSTER STEEL, part of the 904 L steel family used mainly in the space and chemical fields, difficult to process due to the low carbon content, but which boasts exceptional resistance to corrosion and gives a particular shine.
Oyster Steel is a 904 L steel alloy developed specifically by Rolex for its watches.
The low copper concentration makes Oyster Steel a highly stainless material even in extreme conditions and allows the Rolex watch to remain as good as new over time.

GUARANTEE
The Daytona 116520 mark 1 have a perforated Rolex guarantee of the type inherited from the previous ref. 16520 as shown in the example below.
This type of paper warranty accompanies the Daytona 116520 up to the year 2002, serial K included.
From serial Y to serial D of 2005, the guarantee is different but always paper and perforated (more on that later).
 
BOTTOMS
Internal caseback of a P serial. The reference of the caseback for 116520 is the 2100.

External caseback of a 116520

The stamp on the caseback in the first series is green with the reference 116520 and the gold-colored Rolex crown, in the style of the old reference 16520.

 

 

SERIAL AND REFERENCE
In the first series reference and serial are engraved inside the lugs

 

BRACELETS
First series bracelet with "SHORT" clasp ref. 78490. The Rolex logo on the Flip lock is positioned centrally. We find this bracelet mounted from 2001 to 2008 on the P, K, Y, F, D, Z and M serials.
The links of the first series bracelet ref. 78490 have the articulation cylinder as seen in the photo.

 

The closure is equipped with a quick adjustment system for the length of the bracelet as described in the kit booklet.
BOX
Box supplied with Daytona 116520 from 2001 to about 2005.
The box and the Rolex document holder have the same hammering of the leather
 
the document holder has code 101.40.55

the tag in sealing wax

the green tag

Extract from the 2002 Rolex Price List
The selling price of 116520 at the time was 5.944
VAT included

Rolex calendar ref. 116520 year 2001-2002

 

Extract from the catalog for spare parts R20 from 2003, qui you can read all the technical characteristics of the spare parts of 116520.
Extracts from the 2001 Japanese Evance Catalog
In 2000, the first special dials mounted on the gold version were presented at the Basel fair.

 

 

So, summing up, these are the characteristics of the Daytona 116520 MK1:

Serial: P, K, Y, F, D.
Years of production: 2001 to 2005
Dial manufacturer: Beyeler
Spheres: narrow and long (slim) up to the low serial F. From high F on, larger spheres.Written alignment: P for Perpetual and O for Rolex not aligned.
Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to short 28 and 29, long 27 minute notch. E di Made moved to the right of the 28 minute mark.
Compax rims: 11
Luminous material: Superluminova (green color).
Warranty: perforated paper.

 

MK2
At first glance the two quadrants seem to have the writings with different fonts and alignments.
To show you that this is just an optical error induced by the black / white contrast we help ourselves with Photoshop and overlay them.
As you can see, the alignment of the writings is perfect.

 

As you can see, the O of Rolex is aligned with the letters below and cuts the P of Perpetual. The font used is graceful.
The Daytona lettering in the MK2 is graced.

 

counters
Note the particular shape of the number 1.
As seen before, the thickness of the characters can be different and optically misleading from white to black.
We overlap the counters of the two photos to show you that they both belong to MK2. As you can see the overlap is perfect.

 

 

Now let's look at the shape of the 3. Wide and flattened.
Now let's count the raised circles of the compax MK2
The rims are 10, one less than the MK1.
 
 
Alignment of the wrote Swiss Made
As you can see from the macros, the E of Made is very graceful with the rounded "back" and rests almost on the 28 minute mark.
The minute markings have the same characteristics as the MK1: the markings corresponding to 28 and 29 minutes are short while at 27 minutes the mark is long.
 
The warranty is perforated paper: for the P and K serials we find the old warranty in green, for the Y, F and D serials the new perforated paper warranty appears like the one below, where the type of metal of the watch is indicated with a punch .

 

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Serial Warranty Example F

From 2002 to 2007 the 116520s had this type of stamp on the back: green with Rolex hologram and black reference under the crown and transparent over-bubble with red side stripe.

 

Extract from the code table of the Rolex boxes
So, let's summarize the features of the Daytona MK2:
Serial: P, K, Y, F.
Years of production: 2001 to the first half of 2005.
Dial manufacturer: Beyeler
Spheres: long and narrow (slim) up to serial F low, wide spheres for high F.Written alignment: Rolex's O is aligned with the leg of all letters below.Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to 29 and 28 minutes short, notch 27 minutes long.Compax rims: 10
Luminous material: Superluminova (green color).
Warranty: perforated paper.

 

 

 

MK3

Rolex Daytona dial cutout ref. 116520 ser. D from 2005 with wide spheres.

 

The Mk3 dials were produced by Singer. The back of the dial bears its initials: "Rolex 3".
I show you another MK3 white dial not mounted to allow a better evaluation of the writings.
Alignment of the writings
In the Mk3 the alignment is reminiscent of the Mark2. The Rolex O cuts the Perpetual P and is aligned with the letters below.
The font used is graceful and subtle.
 
Swiss Made lettering
: Nin the Mk3 the notches on the small parts recall the previous marks. The E of Made, on the other hand, seems "sitting" on the 28 minute mark.
The Daytona lettering in the MK3 is very graceful.
Embossed circles in the MK3 counter, sono 11 as in the Mk1.

 

So summarizing the MK3 features:
Serial: P, K, Y, F, D.
Years of production: 2001 to 2005
Dial manufacturer: Singer
Spheres: long and narrow (slim) from serial P to low F. Spheres wide from top F to D.Written alignment: Rolex's O cuts through Perpetual's P and is aligned with the letters below.Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to 29 and 28 minutes short, notch 27 minutes long.Compax rims: 11
Luminous material: Superluminova (green color)
Warranty: perforated paper

 

 

THE NUTS
The Mk1, Mk2 and Mk3 have the same type of ring nut depending on the serial.
The first series ring nuts (serial P) are exactly the same as those mounted on the last 16520.

 

Ring mounted on a serial 116520 P5386 **, year 2001.

Ring mounted on a serial 116520 P9262 **, year 2001.

bezel mounted on serial Y8501 **, year 2003

bezel mounted on serial F7544 **, year 2005

MK4 and MK5
2006 is an important year for the Daytona 116520 because it marks the introduction of the serial engraved in the flange and the end of paper guarantees.
The Mark4 is found from the medium-high serial D (2005) to the low Z serial (2006), always with large spheres.
The serial goes from having a letter + 6 digits to having an alphanumeric code of 7 digits / letters. The letters can be only one or more.
The example below shows a 2004 serial F and an alphanumeric with only the initial letter F, which could be mistaken for a 2004 clock when it is a 2011-digit / letter 7 alphanumeric.

Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 ser. F365701 of 2004

 

Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 alphanumeric serial engraved in the 5287155 flange F2011

 

The dials classified to date by collectors as MK4 and MK5 actually represent the same mark, as they are graphically identical.
For convenience, those mounted on the speakers without rehaut and Mk4 those mounted on the speakers with engraved flange are indicated as MK5.

Mk4 dial mounted on a 116520 M serial 2007 (no Rehaut)

Mk5 dial mounted on a 116520 serial V 2008 (Rehaut)

 

 

Alignment written in the Mk4 and MK5
As can be seen from the two macros, the O of Rolex is aligned with the P of Perpetual and the O of Cosmograph. The red line touches the right edge of the E of Superlative and cuts the L of Officially.
The main feature of the Mk4 and MK5 dials is to have the notch corresponding to 27 minutes (and obviously also the symmetrical at 33 minutes) as low as the one at 28 and 29.
In the previous marks, we remember this notch, it was long.
The Daytona lettering is not very graceful and has subtle characters
There are 10 raised rims on the Compax

 

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THE NUTS

 

Ring nut mounted on 116520 Mk4 serial D0229 ** year 2005

Ring mounted on 116520 Mk5 serial Z6974 **, year 2007.

Ring nut mounted on 116520 MK5 serial M1196 **, year 2008.

Ring mounted on 116520 alphanumeric F52871 ** of 2011

 

 

The Rolex warranty is paper until 2006 with the medium-low Z serial.
Since 2007, the new Rolex Card comes on the market with the Z medium-high and M.
Depending on the country of marketing, the card can be different, usually the cards are written in French, the cards for the American market are written in English.
 

His Rolex warranty card in use until 2015.

 

 

To recognize if the card is original it is necessary to check the two underlining lines with a magnifying glass: in fact they are not real lines but very small and closely spaced characters.
The lines are marked: ROLEXGARANTIEINTERNATIONALEGARANTIEINTERNATIONALEROLEX

 

In addition, the original cards of this type can be recognized by the Rolex hologram that appears when the card is subjected to UV light
 

Card in natural light

Card in UV light

 

 

Summarizing the MK4 features are:
Serial: D, low Z
Years of production: 2005/2006
Spheres: wide.
Written alignment: Rolex's O is aligned with Perpetual's P and Cosmograph's O. The red line touches the right edge of the E of Superlative and cuts the L of Officially.
Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to 27, 28, 29 short minutes.
Compax rims: 10
Compax color: bronzed
Luminous material: Superluminova (green light)
Warranty: paper until 2005. Since 2006 Card.
 

Mk5

Serial: high Z, M, V, G and alphanumericYears of production: 2006 to 2013

Spheres: Wide spheres.
Written alignment: Rolex's O is aligned with Perpetual's P and Cosmograph's O. The red line touches the right edge of the E of superlatives and cuts the L of Officially.
Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to 27, 28, 29 short minutes.
Compax rims: 10
Luminous material: Superluminova
Warranty: Card.

 

 

From the end of 2007 to 2008 the stamp on the caseback becomes transparent with the writing 116520 in black.

 
The dials produced up to 2014 glow with a green light induced by the Superluminova luminous material.
From 2009/2010 the new bracelet with closure defined LONG ref. 78590 without cylinder inside the links. The crown is no longer central to the Flip lock but moved downwards.

In these bracelets the Rolex logo engraved in the clasp is finished in black and the central finish of the clasp is sandblasted.

 

Photo of a 116520 Daytona 2014 alphanumeric

 

From 2008 until the end of production, the stamp on the back is transparent with a green side segment.

 

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QUADRANTS MK6 APH
From 2010 until the end of production, the APH dials are also marketed, so defined because the last three letters of the Cosmograph inscription on the dial are detached.
The 116520 produced from 2010 to 2013 with APH and non-APH dials had Superluminova as a luminous material and the counters were "bronzed".
Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 alphanumeric F52871 ** from 2011. Detached APH dial, compax bronze, Superluminova luminous material.

 

Alignment of the writings

 

Rolex's O is aligned with Cosmograph's O. Perpetual's P remains to the right of the red line.

The Daytona lettering in the MK6 APH is different from the others.

 

The compax are bronzed and made up of 11 circles.

 

The E of the Swiss Made writing recalls that of the Mark 4 and 5 but in the MK6 APH it is much closer to the letter D.
Notch 27 of the small parts is as low as notches 28 and 29 as in the previous mark.
Features of the MK6 APH:
Serial: alphanumeric
Years of production: 2010 to 2013
Spheres: wide.
Written alignment: Rolex's O is aligned with Cosmograph's O. Perpetual's P remains to the right of the red line.
Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to 27, 28, 29 short minutes.
Compax rims: 11
Luminous material: Superluminova
Warranty: Card.
MK6 APH BIS
From 2014 until the end of production the dial switches to the luminous Chromalight material which lights up blue / light blue and the indexes become mirrored.

Rolex Daytona 116520 NOS serial 064J92 ** from 2014 Mirrored indexes, luminous Chromalight material.

 

In the dial, the Daytona lettering has become more marked and graceful than the first APH series

 

Although the second hand obstructs our view, we can still see that the alignment is different.

 

The Daytona lettering in the MK6 APH BIS is graceful and thick.
The counter circles are still 11 and the characteristics of the Swiss Made lettering have not changed compared to the MK6 APH dial.

 

In 2016, the closure of the bracelet changes from a sandblasted finish to a polished finish and the Rolex writing is no longer highlighted in black.

 

 

MK6 APH BIS Features:
Serial: alphanumeric
Years of production: from 2014 to end of production 2016.
Spheres: Wide spheres.
Written alignment: Rolex's O is aligned with Superlative's E and Officially's L.Swiss Made lettering: notches corresponding to 27, 28, 29 short minutes.
Compax rims: 11
Luminous material: Chromalight.
Warranty: Card.
 
 
Mk7
From 2014 to the end of production you can find models with non-APH dials like the example below.

 

Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 alphanumeric 5P82N8 ** of 2014 NOS
The dial has a graceful font and mirrored counters.

 

 

Rolex's O is aligned with Cosmograph's O from the left side. The other letters are cut except for the E of Superlative.

 

 The Daytona lettering in the MK7 is not very graceful and not very marked.

 

The compax circles are 11

 

Unlike the APH dials, in the MK7 the 27-minute mark is long while the 28 and 29-minute markings are short.

 

 

MK7 Features:
Serial: alphanumeric
Years of production: from 2014 to end of production 2016.
Spheres: Wide spheres.
Written alignment: Rolex's O is aligned with Cosmograph's O from the left side. The other letters are cut except for the E of Superlative.
Swiss Made lettering: Long 27-minute mark, short 28 and 29-minute markings.
Compax rims: 11
Luminous material: Chromalight.
Warranty: Card.
 
 

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THE NUTS

 

ring mounted on alphanumeric serial of 2011

 

ring mounted on alphanumeric serial of 2013

 

ring mounted on alphanumeric 116520 2016 end of production

 

 

The latest 116520 models produced in 2016 are accompanied by the new Rolex warranty card. Since 2015, the sealing wax tag has also changed from red to green, to indicate the extension of the watch warranty from 2 to 5 years.

 

 

Summary of the graphics of the dials
Ultimately I believe that the quickest and easiest way to recognize the mark of a Daytona 116520 dial is to analyze the shape and position of the Made E, by looking at the length of the 27 minute markings and evaluating the Daytona lettering.

 

Price increase table from 2009 to today (June 2019) referring to a complete second hand 116520 in excellent condition (indicative table).
..and now go see the new GRAPHICS "DAYDAY" inspired by the world of DAYTONA..the two queen references, the 16520 and the 116520.