What is Rolex Daytona 116520 "APH"?
The Rolex Daytona is one of the most sought-after watches for collectors, known as the perfect sports watch. But, one particular model demands a premium on the secondary market for being imperfect.
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The sleek design of a Rolex Daytona is easily recognizable on the wrists of businessmen and celebrities alike. It is a must-have for Rolex collectors, coveted for being one of the hardest models to get your hands on.
The Rolex "APH" Daytona refers to a printing error, where a noticeable gap exists between "COSMOGR" and "APH" in the word "Cosmograph" on the dial. These error dials were produced more commonly approximately between 2009 and 2014, with 2016 example being particularly notable, as they are among the last ever produced and often feature the updated Chromalight lume.
Collectors who already own a 116520 may unknowingly be in possession of a special varient of this watch, an “APH” dial, without even knowing it.
In this blog, we will take a closer look at the Daytona 116520, and break down exactly what makes the “APH” dial so special, as well as its market value.
What is a Rolex Daytona “APH”?
The Rolex Daytona 116520 is a stainless steel cosmograph model that runs on a Calibre 4130 movement, boasting a power reserve of up to 72 hours. Like any other Daytona, it features a dial that reads “Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified Cosmograph” under the crown and “ROLEX.”
Rolex usually ensures that spacing on their dials and bezels are perfectly even, an indication of their attention to detail.
However, in rare cases towards the end of their production, some Daytona 116520s had a manufacturing error that created a small (almost un-noticable) typo on the dial.
“COSMOGRAPH” is, of course, one word.
But somehow a few 116520s were created with a small spacing issue: a gap between “R” and “APH” in “COSMOGRAPH.”
How Rare is an “APH” Dial?
In practice, the APH dial was a factory glitch that showed up only late in the 116520’s production. Industry sources suggest these misprinted dials appeared roughly between 2011 and 2014 before Rolex noticed and corrected the issue.
Like many “error” watches, the “APH” dials were made in very limited quantities. In fact, collectors believe that only a handful were produced, making them extremely scarce.
However, this is no exact data on how many of these models are in circulation.
Is “APH” Daytona Worth Buying?
Rare Rolex watches will always demand a premium on the secondary market, and the “APH” Daytona is no exception.
A non-”APH” 116520 with a black dial or white dial can sell for anywhere around $20,000 on the secondary market, though some models are listed for more or less.
The same model featuring the dial misprint can demand a premium from $5,000 to $10,000 more! One white dial “APH” Daytona model is even listed online for around $50,000!
As the available “APH” Daytona models in circulation dwindle, the value of these watches are likely to go up!
This type serves as a reminder that the smallest details in a Rolex can have a big effect on its market value.
