Rolex Daytona Zenith 18k 16528

Some time back, we bought a Rolex Daytona Zenith 16528 from a member of the South Florida community. After this, we decided to review that pre-owned Yellow Gold Rolex Daytona Zenith watch. We released a post discussing its remarkable horological pedigree with all of you. For the Zenith-era Daytona, it is tremendously outstanding, and the post revealed that clearly.

However, in this post, we will be doing something similar. Again, grab yourself some popcorn and enjoy the ride as we review that pre-owned Daytona Zenith and a new one as well.

Note: Both the new and the pre-owned All Gold Zenith-Powered Rolex Daytona are still up for sale at Diamonds by Raymond Lee.

Reviewing Our Used 18k Rolex Daytona 16528 Zenith Wristwatch 

There are enough pictures on our site and here to show this watch’s condition. For the used Rolex Daytona Zenith watch, you will notice that it has light scratches on the bezel, case, and bracelet. They are all natural scratches or marks, by the way. You should expect to see such scratches when you wear any watch over time. 

On the bright side, that 18k gold Rolex Daytona never got polished for once. That implies that the watch never got serviced as well. Thankfully, Rolex Service Centers incorporate polishing and replacing any damaged parts in their operations. Fortunately, this timepiece retains all of its original pieces too. Most significantly, the watch runs rather beautifully with no damage to any of its parts in the slightest. 

Overall, these elements are what watch collectors look for in older and vintage Rolex timepieces. Also, with this watch having over 20 years of existence and already possessing considerable value founded on the reference, it gets even more profitable as an investment.  

Finally, we made a projection about this watch over the next five to ten years after the purchase. We expected the watch to shoot up in value. The value will rise more than it has already in the next ten years. Particularly, the Rolex Daytona Zenith had no polish before then, and it came with the actual box and papers. It doesn’t get better than this on the second-hand market. 

What Made an Unpolished Rolex Carry More Value?

If you are a Rolex expert reading this post, this explanation is not quite necessary, of course. However, for those who aren’t familiar, here is the answer. An unpolished Rolex watch carries more value because of the associated rarity. Simply put, you can rarely find an older and vintage Rolex wristwatch that never got polished. More so, it is worthy to note that this one comes with all of its original components.

Practically, polishing a vintage Rolex will naturally devalue it. That is exactly how it works in the Rolex watch market. 

Furthermore, this is for everyone nursing an interest in buying this Rolex Daytona Zenith 18k from us. If you do want to have it polished, we can do that for you as well. However, we don’t advise you to do that. Still, we have highly skilled professionals with expertise in polishing Rolex wristwatches. At Diamonds by Raymond Lee, we polish Rolex watches using our proven and professional (RSC-level) strategy. With this, we effectively lessen the odds of it losing value. 

Into the Rolex Daytona Zenith 18k 16528

In this section, we go over all the details of the Rolex Daytona Zenith 18K Yellow Gold Champagne Serti Dial timepiece.

• Features the Solid 18K Yellow Gold Material

From the bracelet to the case, the class, and the bezel, we have Rolex’s very own 18K yellow gold material. More so, this all-gold Daytona possesses tremendous visual impact and allure. These qualities explain why the watch community regarded it as one of the most luxurious sports timepieces. 

• Cased in a Yellow Gold 40mm Piece

Moreover, the Rolex Daytona 16528 carries a 40mm yellow gold case with wide crown guards. This watch comes with a case 13mm high. Also, it comes with a decently curved ergonomic case flank. Plus, there is a low-profile sapphire crystal as well. 

Meanwhile, there is a caseback that comes in a tapered shape. Hence, when the watch is on the wrist, it sits approximately 11.5mm in height. This measurement is as opposed to the typical 13mm or more. 

One other striking element is this generation of the gold Daytona known as the advent of solid lugs. These aren’t the pierced pinholes that you see on the case sides of older manual winding Daytona watches. With that, it gets a more premier, higher quality, and integrated appearance.  

In all, the case passes effortlessly and credibly as a jaw-dropper. Also, it fits the wrist perfectly and with ease. 

• Comes with an All Gold Tachymetric Bezel

Likewise, this wristwatch spotlights a beautifully vast tachymetric bezel which is a product of the 18K yellow gold. Here is the Rolex Daytona 16528 that comes in as the first rendition of the tachymetric scale. Here, this scale graduated up to 400 units. What we have on this watch is exceptional and striking. This is an unequivocal Daytona timepiece.

• Features a Champagne Serti Diamond Hour Marker Dial

For this particular edition of the Rolex 16528, we get a Champagne Serti dial. This dial comes with diamond fitted hour markers. Additionally, you will notice that this watch features an elegant patina on the dial. 

Similarly, you will also notice it comes with a constant seconds hand sub dial. This sub dial instantly lets you recognize this is a Zenith powered Daytona watch. By combining the champagne dial and the yellow-gold-all body, we get a powerfully grand visual result. 

• There is a Solid End Link Yellow Gold Bracelet

The bracelet employs solid end links. This bestows the bracelet king-size heft. In addition, it also gets rid of the rattle that you’d hear on older generation (pre-1999) Stainless Steel Daytona timepieces. These timepieces came furnished with hollow end link bracelets.

In all, the bracelet is robust yet it feels flexible and wears exquisitely relaxing. If you were to close your eyes, this bracelet would feel like it isn’t there. That’s great for a contemporary gold Daytona bracelet. 

• Rolex Daytona Zenith 18k Wearability

To start with, the case of this Daytona fits on the wrist like a glove on a hand. This Rolex Daytona 16528 is the embodiment of “watch comfort.” Also, with its flawless dimensions, it takes a very robust presence. Still, you will never have a problem sliding it under a tight dress cuff.

Likewise, note that this Daytona is a screw-down crown generation. Again, it has a modern 40mm case, automatic winding, and an elegant full metal bracelet. Due to all of these qualities, it is a sports watch in every regard. Still, it is one with a very exclusive reputation.

Here is a wristwatch you can wear on a jog, to swim, or out to a fancy party in the same piece. The watch is incredibly versatile. Plus, its robustness earns it the reputation of a thoroughly tough timepiece. Do not forget that this is a tool watch.

• Powered by a Zenith El Primero Movement

As Rolex watch collectors and genuine horology enthusiasts, there are few things that echo as hard as the Zenith El Primero. This Zenith El Primero movement was the first automatic caliber movement ever utilized as the powerhouse of a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona. 

Besides, it is arguably the first automatic chronograph movement ever produced. The Zenith movement initially came into limelight after its creation back in the 60s. However, due to the quartz crisis, the manufacturers had to stop production up until the late 80s. Meanwhile, during this period, it fell into the hands of delighted Rolex’s engineers. Then, the movement featured in the then-new 40mm Rolex Daytona wristwatch. 

Later on, Rolex powered their Rolex Daytona watches with the Zenith movement from 1987 until 2000. The brand introduced its first entirely new in-house movement in 2000. This was over half a century ago. The new in-house movement comes as a fully integrated, self-winding chronograph for the Daytona. This movement got the name, caliber 4130.

Improvements and Changes to the Initial Rolex Daytona Zenith 18k

There is one interesting fact, and something a lot of people don’t know. This fact is that while the Zenith movement was the best chronograph in the game at the time, it still required some upgrades and changes. These upgrades and changes finally made it “worthy” to sit inside of a Daytona. 

Notably, the engineers at Rolex went through over 200 distinct revisions. That way, the Zenith El Primero movement ended up with nearly half of its basic components when the Rolex technicians finished with it. 

In the end, the date function got eliminated and an entirely new escapement came in. This movement had a larger free sprung Glucydur balance wheel. Also, it has a Microstella regulating mechanism. 

Again, the flat hairspring got a Breguet overcoil. Also, the frequency got lowered. That was a strategy by Rolex engineers to retain Rolex’s professional of a comfortable 28,800 vph. At the end of it all, the Zenith El Primero movement got a transformation leading it into the celebrated Rolex Caliber 4030. More so, it was the most promising automatic caliber chronograph movement ever produced.

It was from that point that the Rolex Daytona Zenith became the timekeeping icon that it is presently.

Rolex Daytona 16528: A Legendary Time Tool

The Rolex Daytona 16528 didn’t become the timekeeping icon and household name that it is today until its Zenith El Primero era. Thanks to this move by Rolex, the brand got a true game changer for the Daytona collection. Also, the Daytona erupted and broke out into the limelight in the late 80s. Also, it was all the rage when watch collectors across the world came together. It rains the same even till today. 

Also, in the 80s and 90s, a Zenith-driven Rolex Daytona became the hottest product in the market. The watch did so much for the Daytona collection. Consequently, collectors began to gush over older generations as well. 

Take away the transition from an unstable manual movement to a powerhouse Zenith-based movement. There are still other key components that made the fortune of the Daytona. We must mention that Rolex switched from plastic bezels and plastic crystals to crown guards, engraved metal bezels, and the sealed sapphire crystal element. Moreover, there was a rise in case size from 37mm to 40mm too.

Lastly, the Rolex Daytona Zenith earned the respect its 56 years of history merited. Once again, the experts at Rolex displayed their special effects. This watch does not only put Daytona on the map. This watch straight up filled up the whole thing. 

Currently, the Rolex Daytona Zenith 18k watches like this one are every Rolex fan’s cravings. Just like it is with everything Rolex, the Rolex Daytona Zenith watches became discontinued. At that point, the value went off. More so, Zenith still holds the prestige as one of the best in chrono movements. 

We can say that the Rolex and Zenith medley is historical and iconic.

Buy your Luxury Swiss Watches or Sell Your Rolex in Boca Raton at Diamonds By Raymond Lee

Here at Diamonds by Raymond Lee, not only do we buy pre-owned timepieces like this one. Also, we pay the most when buying valuable and attractive Swiss watches like this. Therefore, if you own an older or vintage timepiece, or any Rolex that is in high demand, you won’t find a better offer than you will when you come to us. 

We are the best in the area when it concerns delivering great customer service and clearly fair business transactions. At Diamonds by Raymond Lee, we can do this because we are not the middleman. Instead, we are the main and only party involved

Likewise, we recognize the value of Rolex watches. Also, we know what will sell. Therefore, we are totally transparent in our dealings. We are not newcomers in this business. We have been at it for well over 30 years. Hence, we understand exactly what is necessary.