Daytona Ref. 116520 "Classic Black"

The modern steel Daytona, in black.

Reference 116520 is where the modern steel Daytona really begins. Introduced in 2000, it was the first Cosmograph to house Rolex’s in-house 4130 movement, replacing the outsourced, Zenith-based movement used since 1988.

Produced for sixteen years before giving way to the ceramic-bezel 116500LN in 2016, the 116520 became the defining steel Daytona of its generation–giving collectors a benchmark reference. Rolex kept the formula straightforward: stainless steel, an engraved tachymeter bezel, an Oyster bracelet, and a choice of black or white dial.

This example is the black-dial version, fitted with luminous applied markers for heightened legibility, contrasting silver subdial registers, and the signature red “Daytona” script. No gemstones–just pure Daytona.