16520 Daytona service dial & hands

[TeddyBallGame]

I recently picked up an A serial black dial Zenith Daytona and since there is no info on its history, I’m planning on sending it to RSC to get serviced. When communicating with the RSC I asked if they could also swap the dial to the white one and they said yes as long as I have the hands changed as well. Now I’ve heard that the service hands Rolex uses for the 16520 are different than what came on the watch, not as thin (I think they’re from the 116520). Since I’d prefer to keep the thinner hands, I’m debating on not doing the swap.

Can anyone who recently had service hands on their Zenith Daytona confirm whether or not they’re the same?

[Dr.Stu]

Especially since you have already communicated with RSC- and I am a little surprised they will do that dial-swap for you- I think your best answer will come from asking them directly.

[steubi1]

Yes, I made the same experience.
Rolex systematically changes the hands to the new generation if you do not insist to keep the thinner hands (and I think, aesthetically there is no doubt that these thinner hands should be on 16520).

Fortunately, my SC in Switzerland has been willing to change the hands again for thinner ones, however with "Luminova" lume because Tritium is no more legal.
So I am happy in the end.

Tom

[TeddyBallGame]

Originally Posted by steubi1

Yes, I made the same experience.
Rolex systematically changes the hands to the new generation if you do not insist to keep the thinner hands (and I think, aesthetically there is no doubt that these thinner hands should be on 16520).

Fortunately, my SC in Switzerland has been willing to change the hands again for thinner ones, however with "Luminova" lume because Tritium is no more legal.
So I am happy in the end.

Tom

Thanks Tom!! This is exactly the info I was looking for. I’ll make sure to specify they replace the hands with the reference correct thinner ones.
Cheers!

[ratty]

I had a 16520 serviced about 10 months ago by Rolex and I’m sure this is what happened to my watch.

Things have been complicated by the watch having to go because of a problem not dealt with during the service, but I’m sure mine now has the thicker hands.

I have requested to see the photos they take prior to a watch being accepted for service to see if they show a difference to how it is now.

[rockysw]

i didnt know that Rolex can swap the dial with different color on daytonas. Interesting.

[TeddyBallGame]

Originally Posted by rockysw

i didnt know that Rolex can swap the dial with different color on daytonas. Interesting.

I was surprised they said yes. We’ll see when I send the watch in if they change their mind.

[TeddyBallGame]

Since I had gotten a few questions and DMs asking about the dial swap I want to follow-up now that I got my 16520 back from the RSC.

I can confirm that Rolex did swap the dial of my Daytona from black to white. They also replaced the thicker hands (most likely from a 116520) to the reference correct thinner hands. For those wondering, I did ask if I could keep my black dial in case I wanted to switch back at some point. I got a email from the RSC saying that because Rolex wants to keep loose parts out of the secondary market, dial swaps are trade-in only. I also had them replace my crystal with a new one that has AR on the underside now. Well worth it if you’re have a reference without it!

Overall they did a great job and the watch is running about +2 sec a day and turnaround was less than three weeks.

Here’s a before (black dial) and after (white dial) pic.