1991 Rolex 16520 “Inverted Six” Zenith Daytona

Description: For enthusiasts, it’s difficult to believe that four-digit Daytonas were ever difficult to move; that a ‘Paul Newman’ Cosomograph might have sat in a display case for months or years and, that prior to celebrity endorsement, many went unwanted.

The truth is, Daytonas of the 1980s performed poorly as tools, mirrored by a cumbersome sales pace. Operating the split-second timer required screwing and unscrewing requisite crowns – time unnecessarily spent, counter-intuitive to chronograph ethos. And, as celebrated as Valijou’s 72 Caliber movement is today, competing with emerging quartz powered watches, it failed to turn-over engines of consumer desire. 

On paper, 3mm doesn’t seem difference enough. But in 1987, with the Zenith powered 16520’s release and immediate popularity, Rolex faced difficulty drafting behind demand. Its larger steelmade 40mm case (previously 37mm), polished metal Luminova-filled indices, added crown guards, automatic movement, and conservative yet contrasting tri-dials made for greater herodynamically charged design, igniting consumer population’s inner-Steve McQueens. Collective temperature for a watch had never seen such heights and, as a result, Zenith could not manufacture enough ‘El Primero’ movements to cope with public traction. Because of this, chronohistorians credit the ‘Zenith Daytona’ as an apex, a turning point in horology, where timepieces vaulted past being items, not only, to collect, but to covet. 

16520 Daytona Mk III’s dial is distinguished by the addition of ‘Officially Certified’ at twelve, where ‘Cosmograph’ now sits directly beneath SCOC designation (no longer floating), and through continued use of the iconic ‘Inverted Six’ hour counter bottom sub-dial. 

Five-digit Daytona’s valuation seems to imply inferiority to ‘Big Reds’ and ‘John Player Specials’, but the un-nicknamed white lacquer face and otherwise unadorned case are hallmarks of utilitarian design.

An advanced tool that can keep time, keep pace, and keep-up.

Our ‘Inverted-Six’ Zenith presents with a wonderful, even polish with strong bevels. The white lacquer dial is untarnished, and its lume has turned into a creamy white. It remains an excellent example of the early second generation Daytonas.

Case: Steel case, thick, bright and even polish with strong bevels

Dial: White lacquer, metal indices filled with soft cream lume

Bracelet: Steel oyster, strong composition