*Unpolished* 1998 Rolex Daytona (Ref. 16520) Black Mk. IV "Tritinova" Dial W/ Guarantee Paper

First introduced in 1963 the Rolex Daytona has always been the most sought after chronograph. Designed with professional racecar drivers in mind, the Daytona’s precision chronograph and tachymeter bezel allowed drivers to accurately measure speeds up to 400 kilometers or miles per hour. The release of the Daytona came just after Rolex had become the official timekeeper of the Daytona racetrack and the name evolved as a way for the brand to highlight their connection to the celebrated race.

Early Daytona models featured a manual-wind Valjoux 72 column-wheel chronograph movement. This was in use until 1988 when Rolex released the Ref. 16500 with an automatic “self-winding” movement. Rolex outsourced this moment, utilizing the Zenith 400 movement, originally manufactured for the “Zenith El-Primero.” For use in the Ref. 16500, Rolex required approximately 200 modifications to the Zenith movement, which remained in use for twelve years. As a result, Daytona’s from this period are commonly referred to as “Zenith Daytonas.” In this reference, Rolex also incorporated more durable sapphire crystals, helping to increase the depth rating to a guaranteed 100m or 330ft.

This specific example retains it's original and actually very rare "Tritinova" dial. During the end of the '90s, Rolex was beginning the transition of its luminous material from tritium lume to the non-radioactive luminova lume. During this transitional period, a few of the remaining "T SWISS MADE T " signed dial blanks were filled with luminova luminous material from the Rolex factory. This makes for an ultra transitional dial variant that gives you the presence of a more vintage style watch, with the modern functionality of luminova lume.