ROLEX Oyster Perpetual, Cosmograph Daytona, “Patrizzi”... Lot 39

ROLEX Oyster Perpetual, Cosmograph Daytona, “Patrizzi” dial, Ref. 16520, movement no. 75852, case no. S455335, circa 1993 A very fine and highly attractive, water-resistant, tonneau-shaped, automatic, stainless steel, certified chronometer and chronograph wristwatch with gloss black dial, “tropical” 12-hour and 30-minute registers and constant second, inclined steel bezel with tachymeter scale, screwed pushers and crown, stainless steel Oyster bracelet, Ref. 78390, with secured deployant clasp. Fitted with a caliber 4030, based Zenith, rhodium-plated, certified chronometer, 31 jewels, shock-absorbers, monometallic balance with Microstella timing screws, self-compensating Breguet balance spring, blued steel screws, self-winding, column-wheel chronograph mechanism. Dial, case and movement signed. Diam. 40 mm. Thickness 12.40 mm. Approx. overall length for bracelet 200 mm. Accompanied by a fitted presentation box with outer box, Rolex after-sale service guarantee card dated 2012. The present watch belongs to the so-called “Patrizzi dial” batches, when the sub-dial rings have turned a brown-beige colour because of natural oxidization. Turning from their original silvery color to a brown color, this change is only seen with Ref. 16520s between S and early T serials (1993-1996). This example is perfectly in this range with its S-serial (1993). The exposure to UV light causes this effect and it is highly desirable by collectors, probably because of the use of a thinner protective lacquer layer on the dial. The present S series also features a naturally patinated tritium dial and 12-hour register with the so-called “inverted 6”, as well as the red Daytona logo. A collectible chronograph, per sure.