” A watch that was the first automatic chronograph in Rolex’s history. The Ref: 16520 is among one of the most sought after sports models, in demand back then as much as now, this was the watch that started the so called “waiting lists”.
– Paul Maudsley
This early R-Serial from 1988 is nicknamed the “Floating Cosmograph” amongst collectors and the early examples were R and L serial The R serial been the most coveted of the Ref:16520 and they featured 5 lines of text with the 5th line of “Cosmograph” spaced further away. The earlier examples such as this also have the inverted “6” on the dial and the very first ones also feature a tachymeter scale that stops at 200. Later example were changed to a 400 unit scale.
The black Floating dial is believed to have been produced in lesser numbers than the white example. This one also is fitted with its fully brush finished and correct 78360 bracelet which has the date code M for 1988. It comes with it Rolex calendar card from 1988, fitted Rolex box with outer card case and German retailers booklet also from 1988. All in very nice condition and running well ready for the next collector to enjoy.