nice article Imran

There are a few variations for the dial. From my perspective i like the 16520 more than the current 116500. I was debating to get one but I think price has since gone up.

This model started the craze for the Daytonas and not the 6263 nor 6265. I was asking my father in law who was into watches why he did not get any 6263s.

He is 87 now and when we ask him what he wanted for Christmas, He said a new rolex Daytona white face 116500.

My brother in law went to his HK AD and pulled some strings, so they went home with a new Daytona. The price was higher than SRP but then He gets to enjoy it now.

He was happy wearing it on his way back home.

I am looking now to get a 16520 for my own collection.

💰1849 Marketplace Listings for Rolex›Rolex Daytona · 2 for sale · 3463 discussions›

Rolex Daytona ref.16520 Collecting the Legend

By: ImranLondon : January 5th, 2018-08:21

Collecting: The Legendary 16520 - A very personal view on collectability and rarity Launched in 1989, the 16520 is now approaching its 30 th birthday. I think we can call it a near vintage or perhaps “classic”. The first automatic Daytona, with a heart de...

Superb article, Imran. Very informative and helpful.

By: amanico : January 5th, 2018-11:28

I always wondered if the black dials were rarer than the white... I was very interested in knowing more about the different variations of the 16520, which is my favorite Daytona reference. Thank you, my friend. Best, Nicolas

Here is mine, from 1997.

By: amanico : January 5th, 2018-15:49

...

Imran, a lovely and informative post

By: watch-guy.com : January 5th, 2018-14:57

I think the 16520 still has a way to run but possibly hampered by the volume out there Early R 16528- I had one for a long while and it did nothing , Maybe I sold too early I found it was too"gold" and could not wear it but I maybe should have bought the ...

Thats a porcelain dial

By: ImranLondon : January 5th, 2018-15:09

lucky if you can get one for less than £50-60k now Best Imran

Julian, I am not a colored gold guy and would have favored the steel version, but this one was really great with its porcelain dial. [nt]

By: amanico : January 5th, 2018-15:47

Yup Nico . I bought it thinking the same.But could not wear it .. Too much "goodfellas"

By: watch-guy.com : January 5th, 2018-16:04

But I traded it in for a lovely piece as well

Here is mine, W serie

By: tactictac : January 5th, 2018-16:34

I owned since new. ...

That's the thing with the 16520, and probably with all the Daytonas... It is hard to tell which is the nicest, between the white and the black... Probably getting both is the way to go. [nt]

By: amanico : January 6th, 2018-00:14

Thanks Imran...

By: mywrongwrist : January 6th, 2018-05:13

I always thought that both porcelain and 225 scale were much rarer than my black 200 scale four lines, bought new in 1989/90 and paid 1.7€k which was the retail price at that time Now it’s sleeping in the safe, but good news are always more than welcome.....

nice article Imran

By: benzng : January 12th, 2018-16:36

There are a few variations for the dial. From my perspective i like the 16520 more than the current 116500. I was debating to get one but I think price has since gone up. This model started the craze for the Daytonas and not the 6263 nor 6265. I was askin...

Added one to my collection

By: benzng : April 6th, 2018-19:17

Cant resist the floating 😄 ...

Rarity

By: MTF : January 13th, 2018-02:37

imran, Thanks for this precis of collecting steel Rolex Daytona. How did you assign rarity levels to specific models? Was it based on production numbers or some other measure? e.g. actual count of black dial watches offered for sale or that completed tran...

L Serial Floating with 225/250 Bezel

By: Bspradlin : April 4th, 2018-06:55

Beautiful watch! I actually have a full set 1989 L Serial Floating dial 16523 with 225/250 bezel that I purchased from a family member (orig owner) years ago. I was not aware of these had gone up in price so may be selling her!! Thanks for the info!