Created in 1963 as a watch for whizzing around race cars at over 300 km/h, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona represents a timeless icon within the world of watchmaking.
If you want to learn more about vintage Rolex Daytonas check out our complete guide!
Initially made using the “simplest” and most suitable material for sporting situations, steel, the Rolex Daytona has seen its catalog enriched with more valuable versions in yellow gold rose gold and diamonds too.
A real evolutionary step for this timepiece occurs with the introduction of the 5-digit Rolex Daytona, more commonly referred to as the Zenith Rolex Daytona.
These models, mostly made of steel, were also created in noble materials including yellow gold and white gold. That of using gold in purely sports watches is a fairly controversial solution. We are used to it by now, but if you think about it, from a purely functional point of view, it does not make sense. Well, if you think this of gold, you will be amazed to know that Rolex made some Zenith Daytona watches with one of the most valuable, as well as heaviest, materials: platinum.
These five Daytonas, unique in their configuration, were commissioned in the 1990s by former Rolex CEO Patrick Heiniger and given as gifts (4 out of 5) to friends and associates. To these extremely rare watches sought after by collectors worldwide, Rolex dedicated a special five-digit reference: ref. 16516.
Nowadays only three examples have appeared on the market through Sotheby’s auction house.
In this article we are going to find out in detail, the different configurations of the 3 platinum Zenith Rolex Daytona known today.
Rolex Daytona 16516: common elements
Although different, at first glance, these three platinum Rolex Daytona have some features in common.
Starting with the platinum case, in all three watches, we find a 40 mm diameter just like all five-digit Rolex Daytonas.
Another common element in all three platinum examples, but also in the entire production of the five-digit Daytona, is the Zenith-derived automatic caliber 4030 that allows the watches to come to life.
Rolex Daytona 16516 Mother of Pearl
This first version appeared on the market in 2018 and sold for €863,000. It features a distinctive black Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial with Arabic numerals, the same dial that was also available on the white gold models.
This watch was produced in 1999 circa. To confirm this we find he serial number beginning with the letter “A” engraved between the lugs at 6 o’clock.
At 12 o’clock we find the reference number 16516, again engraved between the lugs.
On the back, engraved in the lugs, we find the trademarks indicating the type of material used to make the case.
As I mentioned above, this watch is powered by Caliber 4030, which consists of a derivation of the caliber of the Zenith El Primero that has been modified and operates at 28,800 beats per hour (compared to the Zenith’s 36,000 bph).
Looking at the watch’s warranty, we can see in the upper left corner the code “110” indicating France, as the watch’s destination country.
The engraving on the caseback is the detail that undoubtedly deserves the most attention. “Francesca-Romaine – 16.10.1999.” From this detail we can start the narration of the story behind this very rare Rolex Daytona.
The watch was made as a gift for Francesca Gobbi (a member of the historic family that owns the Rolex dealer “Gobbi 1842” in Milan) and Romain Sardou (a French novelist and television screenwriter), on the occasion of their wedding that took place in 1999 in Paris.
The Daytona was given as a gift by the then Rolex CEO, Heiniger. Reasonably, the gift was due to the personal relationship he established with the Gobbi family and also because Gobbi 1842 has been a major Rolex dealer for decades.
This platinum Rolex Daytona was later delivered to Sotheby’s in 2018 by a private collector. Due to client confidentiality, Sotheby’s can only say that this watch was delivered by the family who had received it as a gift from Mr. Heiniger, and that is all we know.
Rolex Daytona 16516 Lapis Lazuli
Unlike the first model, this second Daytona 16516 in Platinum was made with a blue lapis lazuli stone dial.
Similar to the first specimen, we also find the presence of Arabic numerals on the dial here.
The movement is still the caliber 4030 that we find on all five-digit Rolex Daytona examples.
This platinum watch from the crowned watchmaker was also produced in 1999, as can be deduced from its serial number engraved between the lugs, which begins with the letter “A.”
Delivered to Sotheby’s by a private collector, this Daytona in platinum was auctioned for a sum of 2.8 million euros in 2020.
Rolex Daytona 16516 turquoise
This last known Rolex Daytona 16516 was recently delivered to Sotheby’s by a private collector. At first it was thought to have a blue “Stella” dial (dials usually found on Day-Dates) because of the typical polished finish.
Upon more detailed analysis, it was discovered that this dial was made from a turquoise stone… (when Tiffany blue was not yet trendy).
Actually, the polished finish, was achieved by lacquering the turquoise stone to accentuate its blue color.
This example, again with serial A, was made in about 1998 and features the classic caliber 4030 that we find in all five-digit Rolex Daytona.
The watch was sold in 2021 for an amount of 2.68 million euros.
Rolex Daytona 16516 Coral
Unknown to most people, I can tell you that from reliable sources (although in the world of watchmaking you can’t have 100% certainty until you have the watch in question in your hands), I was able to learn of the existence of this fourth Rolex Daytona 16516 example in platinum made with a coral dial.
Personally, I must say that if it ever appeared on the market, it would be the most fascinating of the four examples. But these are just tastes and speculations. We will remain looking forward to one day being able to verify the existence of this Daytona.
The fifth Daytona 16516
As for the fifth specimen of 16516, we have no information at all. More importantly, many collectors also claim that a fifth watch does not even exist at all.
Please let us know in the comments what you think of these super rare platinum Rolex Daytona.
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Sources:
The True Story of the Mythical Rolex “Zenith” Daytona in Platinum, SJX
Auction catalogue Sotheby’s “Important Watches, 1 October 2018, Hong Kong”
Auction catalogue Sotheby’s “Important Watches, 11 July 2020, Hong Kong”
Auction catalogue Sotheby’s “Important Watches, 23 April 2021, Hong Kong”
