Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

About this reference

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 16516 is a rare platinum variant produced in the late 1990s, specifically around 1998 and 1999. Unlike standard production models of that era, this reference features a 40mm case crafted from 950 platinum and is powered by the Zenith-based Calibre 4030 automatic movement. Collectors value this reference due to its extreme scarcity; it was never featured in public catalogs and was produced in very limited quantities, often cited as fewer than ten pieces, specifically for high-level executives or special orders. These watches typically feature unique dials, such as Tahitian mother-of-pearl or lapis lazuli, paired with leather straps. On the secondary market, prices occupy the high-six-figure to low-seven-figure range. A notable auction result occurred in 2020 when a 16516 with a lapis lazuli dial sold for over $3.2 million, confirming its status as one of the most expensive automatic Daytonas.