The Daytona Rolex is one of the most popular Rolex models (if you leave out some vintage models). Since it is not easy to distinguish between the two Daytona models, 16520 and 116520 (and other similar SG / GG / WG references), these are presented here now in pictures. With the help of this comparison, the recognition of fakes can be made easier, since many fakes (I guess well over 90%) simply mix the characteristics of both models. However, there are now fakes, too, which are not so easy to recognize.
In the pictures, the “older” model with the 16520 reference number, it is always arranged to the left or on top, while the current Daytona with the 116520 reference number , it is always on the right or bottom. The photos, if not from me, are always with their sources.
First a little technical data for comparison:
| 16520 | 116520 | |
|---|---|---|
| Baujahr Year | 1988 bis 2000 1988 until 2000 | ab 2000 |
| Kaliber Caliber | 4030 modifiziertes Zenith-Kaliber modified from Zenith | 4130 |
| Frequenz Frequency | von 36.000 A/h auf 28.800 A/h herabgesetzt reduced from 36.000 A/h to 28.800 A/h | 28.800 A/h |
| kleine Sekunde Seconds position | auf 9 Uhr at 9 o´clock position | auf 6 Uhr at 6 o´clock position |
At first glance, the appearance of the watch since the introduction of the new Rolex Calibre has barely changed, but at the second glance there are some distinct differences by which the watches can be immediately distinguished. First, a complet view as an overview:
(Sources: Left picture Paddy, right photographer unknown)
Here, the differences are first indicated:
The 16520:
An image of the 16520 with dials is unfortunately not available at the moment
The 116520:
(Sources: Left picture from oyster world, right picture from Wolfram out of the RLX-Forum)
(Sources: Left Picture von too out of the RLX-Forum, right picture from www.uhrwald.de)
(Source: Matthias from RLX-Forum)
This post to the topic of the pusher position is by Matthias on the R-L-X-Forum. I have copied the most important information from Matthias completely and without modification (except translation) because of the exciting subject:
“The pusher of the 16523 (note: also applies to the 16520) sits slightly “obliquely” in the housing. The pusher axis does not form a right angle with the center axis between pusher and watch center. On the 116520 the pushers are “straight” in the housing, with the pusher axis and the center axis forming a right angle. The fact that the pushers on the Zenith Daytonas are “skewed” is also clearly visible in the 16520 picture of Paddy.
I guess the reason for this lies in the Calibre 4030, which, as is known, is based on the Zenith El Primero. In a direct comparison with my Zenith El Primero, it is clear that the pushers of the Daytona sit further up or down due to the voluminous crown protector compared to the case of the El Primero. The angle of the center axis between the pusher and watch center to the horizontal is slightly greater in the Daytona than in the Zenith. However, to ensure that the pushers precisely hit the actuation points in the workings, the push axes of the Daytona had to be turned slightly. The pusher therefore sits “obliquely” in the housing.
On the picture of the factory view of the Calibre 4030, it can be seen very clearly that only the “oblique” position of the pusher axes can be used to hit the actuation points in the movements. “(Matthias)
Very interesting and hitherto probably only a few noticed.
Compared to its predecessor, the model 116520 has a new, massive clasp. The Zenith model, on the other hand, has a metal clasp, as familiar in the sport models (e.g., Submariners).
(Source: 116520 – Pictures by Percy)
Here the bezels are different. On the left this time is the white gold model and on the right, the steel variant, both watches with Calibre 4130.
(Sources: Left Foto Stooney, right photographer unknown)
Since the end of 2004, the steel models of the Daytona (116520) have received wider hands. The hands match the hands of the white gold models.
(Sources: Left picture Percy (uhrwald.de), right picture Matthias / Prof. Rolex)
On the left are the hands up to the end of 2004, while on the right, since the end of 2004 (picture of a Daytona delivered on 29/11/04, serial number F 708xxx)
Here, for those who toy with the idea of buying a Daytona because of the delivery situation on the open market, are some features of fake Daytonas. After studying the above details and these details, it should be possible to recognize many fakes on the market as such.
Characteristics