Introduction
Perhaps one of the most iconic timepieces to have ever hit the market, the Rolex Daytona is widely recognized as one of the most desirable watches there is. Distinguished by its three generations, what we have here is the 2nd generation 5-digit reference, known as the "Zenith" Daytonas due to their movement (the Rolex cal. 4030) being a heavily modified version of the Zenith-supplied El Primero movement. Forgoing its date function, slowing the movement's frequency down to increase the power reserve, and featuring fewer parts to improve reliability, the cal. 4030 found within the Zenith Daytonas is one of the finest pieces of horological engineering to come out of the late 80s and 90s (1988-2000). Still a mechanically astute timepiece to this day, the Zenith Daytona exists through a wide variety of references, such as the ref. 16523 that we have here. With numerous references within the collection, the Zenith Daytona has also featured some exceedingly rare jeweled variants like the ref. 16589 and so on. A wonderful expression of Rolex's engineering capabilities and the consistency in their iconic design language, the Zenith Daytona is perhaps the unsung hero in Daytona's lineage. However, it won't be long before collectors begin to unravel the story and see the value these timepieces hold.
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Grade
M 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$10,000 – $15,000
The Details
Brand
Rolex
Dimensions
40mm
Model
Daytona
Movement
Automatic cal. 4030
Reference
16523
Bracelet
Stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold bracelet
Year
1988
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel and 18kt yellow gold
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Champagne

THE DIAL
Matching its bezel, pushers, winding crown, and center links, this example features a rich champagne dial with black subdial chapter rings that stand out prominently. Additionally, this example boasts a floating Cosmograph dial, whereby its "Cosmograph" inscription is noticeably detached from the rest of the inscriptions above it.

THE ZENITH MOVEMENT
The "Zenith" movement was the last outsourced movement that Rolex utilized in its lineup. A heavily modified El Primero 400 series caliber, the movement was a faithful workhorse and proved reliable enough to meet the exacting standards of Rolex. Rolex modified the movement to create their auotmatic cal. 4030, which is what powered the second generation of Daytonas from 1988 to 2000

TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in excellent overall condition. Case has sharp and thick lugs, and only minor surface wear. The original 200 unit bezel retains its original black enamel and has only minor surface scratches. Original floating champagne colored dial in near-mint condition showing no visible damage or degredation. Bracelet has 13 links, 3 of which are removable. There is little to no stretch.
Our Perspective
Adding a luxurious element to the Daytona's otherwise tool watch construction, the two-tone ref. 16523 is a brilliant watch that could just as easily handle the beach as it could a black tie event.