Series 2 (90’s vintage) “Zenith” Rolex Daytona
An aspect that I enjoy about watches is geeking out to the behind the scenes stuff like the mechanical engineering, history, marketing shenanigans, b2b dealings. My Dad bought this watch in 1995 and wore it every day up until he passed away last fall.
This is a 1995 vintage 16520 Daytona. It runs on the last outsourced movements that Rolex used. The previous series of Daytonas (1963-1988) were based on manual wind movements (722, 727) manufactured by Valjoux. The second series of Daytonas (1988-2000) are an automatic movement (4030) designed and originally manufactured by Zenith for the El Primero (3019PHC) which is still made today. The Zenith original is a very high 36,000 BPH (5Hz) escapement. Rolex (4030) slowed it down to (4Hz) 28,800 BPH presumably for increased power reserve and longevity. Additionally, they removed the date complication, and changed a few other things like balance spring and wheel and the main spring.
The 3rd series 116520 introduced in 2000 have a Rolex design movement caliber 4130. One can tell the difference, in that 2nd series (as well as Zenith El Primero) have the second complication on the 9 o’clock sub dial, while 3rd series has it at 6 o’clock. Additionally, the 3 & 6 o’clock subdials are below the midline on 2nd series, and above the midline on 3rd series. Anecdotally, the youtube watch repair guys say the 4130 is less complex with fewer parts than the 4030.
Dating of a Rolex can be done by a letter code imprinted on the bracelet. My fuzzy memory placed my Dad’s purchase of this watch around 1995. The date code inside confirmed a manufacturing date of ‘W’ which translates to 1995.
At the bottom of the dial where it says “Swiss Made”, those with tritium dials say “ T - Swiss Made - T”. Rolex stopped making tritium dials near the end of 1998. Tritium has a half life of 12 years. I can say that these 28+ year tritium hands and dial markers have zero detectable light emission to my eyes. So all of you Marathon and Ball owners, enjoy it while you got it.
I’m a software engineer and watch enthusiast. I’m not excited about brand or heritage, but rather engineering tech.... spring drive, solar GPS, electrostatic drive, transistor tuning fork regulation,...
I read someplace that the Daytona was introduced as an answer to Omega's speedmaster. One of the issues I have with the Daytona is the screw down pushers, I don't need water resistance beyond 3bars on a chrono, I want to be able to measure speed without having to unscrew the pushers, its about speed not depth... Somehow this decision by Rolex to have those screw down pushers never made any sense.
I read someplace that the Daytona was introduced as an answer to Omega's speedmaster. One of the issues I have with the Daytona is the screw down pushers, I don't need water resistance beyond 3bars on a chrono, I want to be able to measure speed without having to unscrew the pushers, its about speed not depth... Somehow this decision by Rolex to have those screw down pushers never made any sense.
Yes, I read similar…. Back in 80’s or so, Rolex was feeling the pinch from competition for not having an automatic chronograph. Others had already put their resources together and designed solutions. This provided the justification for Rolex bringing in the Zenith solution which Zenith had developed quite a bit earlier.. Regarding the series 1, manual wind Daytona chronograph from the 60’s, I don’t know what the market was in that era.
Regarding the lock screws on the pushers…. I agree and was thinking the same the other day. I’m not sure why they bothered, other than perhaps it was an aesthetic decision or image thing.
Yes, I read similar…. Back in 80’s or so, Rolex was feeling the pinch from competition for not having an automatic chronograph. Others had already put their resources together and designed solutions. This provided the justification for Rolex bringing in the Zenith solution which Zenith had developed quite a bit earlier.. Regarding the series 1, manual wind Daytona chronograph from the 60’s, I don’t know what the market was in that era.
Regarding the lock screws on the pushers…. I agree and was thinking the same the other day. I’m not sure why they bothered, other than perhaps it was an aesthetic decision or image thing.
The screw down pushers annd crown increases water resistance.
Great piece, thanks for the history.
And fantastic you’ve got your Dad’s watch, to be honest I’m quite jealous of that!