Antiques Roadshow- 94 Zenith Daytona, special varnish - $60,000

[TheVTCGuy]

So… let me start off by saying I am sorry I don’t have a link, and I can not find anything about it on Youtube, but the most recent Antiques Roadshow ( West Coast US) had a very interesting item. Here is the story.

A man purchased a BLACK FACE (important, come back to it later) Zenith Daytona in a private sale in 1995. He had all the paper work, warranty, booklet, hang tags, and box. The watch was a 94 and worn but in good condition.

The appraiser, said that Zenith’s are going for 20K (ish) on the market right now; it sounded about right. He added that since he had all the paperwork and box, it raised it to 25 to 30K. I haven’t been tracking but that sounded reasonable. Now.. here is the interesting part.

He stated, that on Daytonas, ONLY made in 94 and 95, had an “Organic Varnish” that reacted with UV light. Since this man had worn it daily for the last 20 years, it had it’s share of UV light exposure and the result was - A darkening, a Patina of the white circles in the three counters. He pointed it out. It kind of looked like an old explorer white face patina; darkening to a cream color. The appraiser said that ONLY the Black face Daytona’s had that varnish applied, and if the man had purchased the white face instead, the appraisal would end at 25 to 30K. BUT, the particular circumstances he had DOUBLED the value, to 50 to 60 Thousand dollars.

I found it very interesting, I had never heard of this special varnish that made a Daytona so valuable, (not that I would have). I don’t question this expert’s appraisal, but is this “special organic varnish” version of the Zenith Daytona common knowledge?

[ree7]

They call it the Patrizzi.
https://www.phillips.com/detail/rolex/CH080221/205
"With that said, even though the Zenith Daytona Cosmograph dazzles in its entirety, some stars shine brighter than the rest - such as the famed tropical (or “Patrizzi”, after the scholar who first noticed this quirk) dials, whose white chapter rings tend to darken over time due to a defect in some specific batches of paint. Patrizzi dials are usually found on S,N T and W serial numbers (thus, on watches made between circa 1993 and 1996), thus just a small part of the production of ref."

[Boopie]

I didn’t know that either. Thanks for sharing!

[golfsc]

It's another example of a Rolex defect making a watch more rare and thus more valuable.

Here is mine:

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by golfsc

It's another example of a Rolex defect making a watch more rare and thus more valuable.

Here is mine:

I’ll give you $200 for it

[inadeje]

Known as Patrizzi dial. Clearcoat used on subdials was substandard and reacted to UV light turning light tan/beige. 20k for a zenith Daytona? Good luck with that…

[Vishy26]

Originally Posted by inadeje

Known as Patrizzi dial. Clearcoat used on subdials was substandard and reacted to UV light turning light tan/beige. 20k for a zenith Daytona? Good luck with that…

Me too wondering on that. Where do we have such deals these days.

Interesting post, Paul

[1665fan]

A minty, complete patrizzi can be a 6 figure watch……sounds like that one has been beat to death…….16520 for 20k is about 2-3 years ago……

[Londonrolex]

Lots of them in Italy, however some people now apply varnish and put the dial in a microwave to try and replicate the patrizzi. If the sub dials are extremely dark, have it checked by a professional

[Letsgodiving]

Here's the link. It starts at 46:43.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/wa...resort-hour-2/

[TheVTCGuy]

Originally Posted by Letsgodiving

Here's the link. It starts at 46:43.

https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/wa...resort-hour-2/

Grashus, I am interested to hear what people think of this appraisal.

[Buona23]

I own a 1993 Patrizzi dial in very good condition. In addition, my lower subdial has an inverted "6", which I have rarely seen on any Daytona posted for sale. I'm trying to understand how that attribute affects value. Does anyone know a ballpark value for insurance purposes?

[jinikari01]

Sheesh. That's wild. Thanks for sharing. Learn something new every day.

[drrd]

Originally Posted by Buona23

I own a 1993 Patrizzi dial in very good condition. In addition, my lower subdial has an inverted "6", which I have rarely seen on any Daytona posted for sale. I'm trying to understand how that attribute affects value. Does anyone know a ballpark value for insurance purposes?

Auction it. Only way to find out what it's really worth.

[Casey VP-26]

I have been following this for years, in fact I have met and talked with Oswaldo Patrizzi on several occasions (not about this) I still have a hard time trying to justify the price for what could potentially be a defect dial. Hey who KNOWS?

[Casey VP-26]

Originally Posted by Buona23

I own a 1993 Patrizzi dial in very good condition. In addition, my lower subdial has an inverted "6", which I have rarely seen on any Daytona posted for sale. I'm trying to understand how that attribute affects value. Does anyone know a ballpark value for insurance purposes?

Plenty of information about the inverted "6" on the internet, you can check asking prices on Chrono24.

[WilsdorfNDavis]

Originally Posted by Buona23

I own a 1993 Patrizzi dial in very good condition. In addition, my lower subdial has an inverted "6", which I have rarely seen on any Daytona posted for sale. I'm trying to understand how that attribute affects value. Does anyone know a ballpark value for insurance purposes?

[shockdoctrine]

invert 6 with patrizzi is very rare... :)

[Buona23]

I've either seen one or the other (Patrizzi dial or Inverted 6), but have not seen any postings with both on same timepiece. Taking good care of her.

[Dan S]

Originally Posted by Buona23

I've either seen one or the other (Patrizzi dial or Inverted 6), but have not seen any postings with both on same timepiece. Taking good care of her.

Maybe not terribly common, but IIRC the inverted-6 years fall within the Patrizzi years, so it is a normal combination. Just use google, you will find plenty of listings.