Explaining The Rolex Daytona Reference 16520 With Patrizzi Dial
Last year, Jimmy Cosmo explained why the Rolex Daytona Reference 16520 or “Zenith” Daytona was “not only a great investment but simply a great watch,” and he rightly pointed out that models with the enigmatic Patrizzi dial were some of the most valuable. But what did he mean by Patrizzi dial?
Put simply, a Patrizzi dial is a Rolex Daytona Reference 16520 with a dial that features counters that have oxidized and turned brown. Thus far, the imperfection only appears in some Rolex Daytona Reference 16520 watches because the Swiss watch brand used zapon, an organic varnish, for the dial of this particular watch. Some models, it appears, were not sufficiently protected and the silver content of the varnish turned brown. Because these changes of color are progressive and do not stabilize over time, each one of these imperfect dials has since become a unique specimen.
These faded Daytona watches are named after Mr. Osvaldo Patrizzi, the Italian auctioneer who discovered the anomaly in 2005 while selling a collection of Rolex watches containing a Daytona Ref. 16520 with brown subdials. Not only was the model unique, it was thought to be beautiful despite its imperfection, and it sold for double its estimate.
Today, a Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520 in great condition is estimated to fetch anywhere between $ 9,000 and $ 11,000 at auction, while the same model with a Patrizzi dial is thought to be worth between $ 17,000 and $ 22,000.
About the Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520:
– The watch weights 40 g
– The push buttons are partially recessed, with shouldering that protects the crown.
– The lugs are concave and curved without barrel holes at the extremities.
– The reference is always engraved between the top lugs at 12 o’clock, while the production number is engraved between the bottom lugs accompanied by the mention Stainless Steel.
– The Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520 was introduced for the first time at Baselworld in 1988 and its list price at the time in Switzerland was CHF 3,120 or $ 3,300 approximately.
Photo Credit: Giorgia Mondani. For more information about the Rolex Rolex Daytona Reference 16520, please visit Collecting Watches.
