UNPOLISHED 1999 Rolex Zenith Daytona 40mm 16520 White Dial

Brand: Rolex 

Model: Zenith Daytona 

Reference Number: 16520 

Materials: Steel

Case diameter: 40mm 

Movement: Automatic

Condition: Very Good

Year of Production: 1999 

Box: Yes

Papers/Warranty Card: Yes

Booklets: Yes

ID : 61127 

The Rolex Daytona Ref. 16520, often referred to as the "Zenith Daytona," holds a special place in Rolex history as the first automatic Daytona model, produced from 1988 to 2000. Housed in a 40mm stainless steel case with a white dial and black subdials, it blends sporty elegance with iconic chronograph functionality. The crisp white face features applied hour markers, snailed sub-registers, and the classic tachymeter-engraved bezel, embodying a clean, legible, and timeless look. The Oyster bracelet and solid-end links give it a durable yet refined wrist presence.

What truly distinguishes the 16520 is its movement—the modified Zenith El Primero Caliber 4030, a high-beat chronograph mechanism renowned for its robustness and reliability. Rolex significantly reworked this movement, reducing the beat rate from 36,000 to 28,800 vph and replacing several components to meet their stringent standards. The result is a highly collectible transitional piece, bridging the gap between the manual-wind Daytonas and Rolex’s later fully in-house calibers. Revered for both its aesthetic and mechanical heritage, the Zenith Daytona is a cornerstone in any serious Rolex collection.