Daytona Ref. 16518 "Diamante Inverted 6"

Classic Zenith Daytona, with a diamond twist.

Reference 16518 occupies a niche within Rolex history–combining the vintage automatic Daytona experience with a factory diamond-marker dial.

Like the reference 16528, the 16518 represents the 18k yellow gold expression of Rolex’s “Zenith Daytona” generation—the automatic-movement era spanning 1988 to 2000, powered by caliber 4030, Rolex’s extensive reworking of Zenith’s El Primero-based movement.

Alongside the standard lacquer and champagne dials offered across the generation, Rolex produced a smaller number of gold examples fitted with factory-set diamond hour markers in place of the standard applied indexes–a detail that brings diamonds to the dial without compromising the model’s sporting character.

The present 16518 pairs that diamond-marker dial with the signature engraved gold tachymeter bezel and a white rubber strap. It’s the Zenith Daytona as collectors know and love it, with an extra luxe flourish.