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The Rolex Daytona, first introduced in 1963 powered by the Valjoux 72 movement just as it is with most of the sports chronograph in the market during the 1960s to 1980s. Despite their popularity today, it wasn’t really a successful model back in the day.

The 16520 was introduced in 1988 and it is powered by the Cal. 4030, a modified Zenith El Primero automatic chronograph movement. From this reference the Daytona became one of if not the most popular and successful series watch ever.

This example here is the first series Zenith Daytona and it is a special variant as a lot of the features and characters are unique to this first series.

The dial is where it has all the special details. It can be seen easily by the spacing of the dial text “Comsograph” and the rest of the text, it is simply known as the Floating Cosmograph. And the rounded numerals on the sub dial features an upside down 6, making it looks like a 9, and this is known as Inverted Six.

And only on the very early 16520 white dial like this piece, has a glossy finish with a special 3D effect print, making it as if the test was floating above the surface of the dial, and under certain light we can even see the shadow of the text on the dial surface. This special dial is known as the Porcelain dial.

It is also fitted with the Mk1 200 UPH bezel that is similar to the one used on the vintage Daytona. The later version is fitted with the 400 UPH bezel, and this configuration is retained until today.

This watch has a solid link Oyster bracelet reference 78360 with 503 end links, and unlike the later series it has an all brushed finish.