Rolex
Daytona Patrizzi Zenith Chronograph Stainless Steel 16520

Our Opinion

Vintage stainless-steel Rolex sports watches consistently rank amongst the most highly sought after timepieces and none more so than the Cosmograph Daytona. First introduced in 1963, the iconic chronograph offered a classic sporty design with ‘fit for purpose’ functionality and excellent proportions.

This reference 16520 is known as a Mark IV in collectors circles and was first purchased in 1997. Powered by the highly desirable self-winding 4030 Caliber, this modified derivative of Zenith’s famed El Primero movement boasts a column wheel chronograph and notable degrees of accuracy and reliability. A Rolex with all these attributes is in itself highly collectable however, what set’s this series apart is in the dial.

Fans and collectors affectionately called these pieces ‘Patrizzi’ in honour of Osvaldo Patrizzi, the Italian auctioneer who was the first to recognise the distinctive patina effect which was evident on the three chronograph subdials. This was a result of Rolex’s use of Zapon, an organic varnish which when not protected adequately suffers from oxidation, turning the silver within the varnish a brown colour. This oversight is ironically seen as a thing of beauty and desirability by vintage Rolex fans with each one degrading to create its own unique hue.

In addition to the appeal of this imperfection, the rest of the watch is presented in excellent order. The black baton dial is pristine with the tritium lume in the hour markers and hour/minute hands showing no degradation. The 40mm stainless steel case is very well preserved with the tachymeter markings still intact and no sign of over-polishing, often evident in such pieces. Offered in its original box and on a stainless steel oyster bracelet, this is a watch to satisfy the purists and will certainly make a worthy addition to any collection.