Rolex 16520 116520 case differences

[timlo]

Hi all,

I realize that the case of the 16520 seems more balanced as the left lugs have the same size as the right lugs while the right lugs of the 116520 seems to be thinner than the left lugs. Also, I notice that the right lugs of the 116520 have more curve than those of 16520.

Does anyone have the same observations?

Thanks

[timlo]

Anyone?

[blada4life]

I’ve noticed the lug difference on my 116520. Thought it was just me but now makes sense. No info for 16520 though. I do know that the bezel is different slightly for most of the first production years of the 16520 and then towards the end it’s the same.


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[1665fan]

116520 is thicker and heavier than the zenith

[inadeje]

The zenith is a stealthier case than the 116520. The upgraded watch had a millimeter here and there difference. Often overlooked though are ALL the Daytona PM cases, which are entirely different to the SS version from the 6 digit onward. On the PMs Lugs turn further down away from the case, case size is closer to 41mm and, lug to lug increases by around 1.4mm. Very subtle but, its there with a vernier caliper

[timlo]

I think the right lugs of 116520 are thinner than the left legs. It is not so on 16520. Also, there is more curve on the right lugs of 116520 than those of 16520.

[timlo]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The zenith is a stealthier case than the 116520. The upgraded watch had a millimeter here and there difference. Often overlooked though are ALL the Daytona PM cases, which are entirely different to the SS version from the 6 digit onward. On the PMs Lugs turn further down away from the case, case size is closer to 41mm and, lug to lug increases by around 1.4mm. Very subtle but, its there with a vernier caliper

Yes I also noticed that. What do you mean by "Lugs turn further down away from the case,"? Can you illustrate that more?
Did you mean there is more curve on the lugs on PM ones?

thanks

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The zenith is a stealthier case than the 116520. The upgraded watch had a millimeter here and there difference. Often overlooked though are ALL the Daytona PM cases, which are entirely different to the SS version from the 6 digit onward. On the PMs Lugs turn further down away from the case, case size is closer to 41mm and, lug to lug increases by around 1.4mm. Very subtle but, its there with a vernier caliper

Not quite correct. The YG on oyster bracelet has the smaller SS case dimensions.

All other 6 digit pm Daytonas have the slightly larger, symmetrical, cases

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by timlo

Yes I also noticed that. What do you mean by "Lugs turn further down away from the case,"? Can you illustrate that more?
Did you mean there is more curve on the lugs on PM ones?

thanks

Lots of pics on this thread

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=582111

[037]

Originally Posted by inadeje

The zenith is a stealthier case than the 116520. The upgraded watch had a millimeter here and there difference. Often overlooked though are ALL the Daytona PM cases, which are entirely different to the SS version from the 6 digit onward. On the PMs Lugs turn further down away from the case, case size is closer to 41mm and, lug to lug increases by around 1.4mm. Very subtle but, its there with a vernier caliper

Both the SS and PM Daytona cases are approximately 38.5mm OD. I've measured both my SS ceramic and YG OF ceramic bezels and the bezels and lug lengths are the same despite the visual changes. The differences on the PM cases (other than the YG on Oyster as Devildog mentioned above) are the symmetrical lugs and larger crown guards with 0.25mm wider cases.

The PM cases aren't 1.4mm larger as you mention. No modern Daytona is anywhere near 41mm. They're all in the 38.5mm range at the bezel. I believe PM bezels have a slightly larger OD but I don't have one handy to measure. It's marginal at best, however.

All of this was measured directly using calipers as I don't like pulling numbers out of the air.

HTH

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by 037

Both the SS and PM Daytona cases are approximately 38.5mm OD. I've measured both my SS ceramic and YG OF ceramic bezels and the bezels and lug lengths are the same despite the visual changes. The differences on the PM cases (other than the YG on Oyster as Devildog mentioned above) are the symmetrical lugs and larger crown guards with 0.25mm wider cases.

The PM cases aren't 1.4mm larger as you mention. No modern Daytona is anywhere near 41mm. They're all in the 38.5mm range at the bezel. I believe PM bezels have a slightly larger OD but I don't have one handy to measure. It's marginal at best, however.

All of this was measured directly using calipers as I don't like pulling numbers out of the air.

HTH

Just one addition - the lug shape when viewed from the side is also different, with the PM lugs extending more towards the wrist and having more material than the SS lugs

[037]

Originally Posted by Devildog

Just one addition - the lug shape when viewed from the side is also different, with the PM lugs extending more towards the wrist and having more material than the SS lugs

Yes, very true and one I forgot to mention. The lug bottom profile on PM cases (again excluding the current YG on Oyster) makes the PM cases wear larger. It's a significant change for the better.

[Devildog]

Originally Posted by 037

Yes, very true and one I forgot to mention. The lug bottom profile on PM cases (again excluding the current YG on Oyster) makes the PM cases wear larger. It's a significant change for the better.

Agreed - that and the asymmetry is why the six digit SS Daytonas don't do it for me. Symmetric cased PMs on the other hand...

[timlo]

I think that the lugs on 116528 seem to have more curve than that on 16520. Anyone?

[belligero]

Originally Posted by 037

Both the SS and PM Daytona cases are approximately 38.5mm OD. I've measured both my SS ceramic and YG OF ceramic bezels and the bezels and lug lengths are the same despite the visual changes. The differences on the PM cases (other than the YG on Oyster as Devildog mentioned above) are the symmetrical lugs and larger crown guards with 0.25mm wider cases.

The PM cases aren't 1.4mm larger as you mention. No modern Daytona is anywhere near 41mm. They're all in the 38.5mm range at the bezel. I believe PM bezels have a slightly larger OD but I don't have one handy to measure. It's marginal at best, however.

All of this was measured directly using calipers as I don't like pulling numbers out of the air.

HTH

Exactly. The only difference between the 16520 and 116520 cases is the brushed vs. polished lugs, and the angle of the chrono pushers.

[TimeToWatch]

116500 has the same case as the 116520, so here’s a comp

[faimag]

The post above is 16520 (not 116520) vs 116500.

The 6 digit ones (116520 and 116500) have the same case, and both are more rounded compared to the 16520 especially at the lugs. The sides of the lugs on the 16520 are much sharper than in the 6 digits.

[belligero]

Originally Posted by faimag

The post above is 16520 (not 116520) vs 116500.

The 6 digit ones (116520 and 116500) have the same case, and both are more rounded compared to the 16520 especially at the lugs. The sides of the lugs on the 16520 are much sharper than in the 6 digits.

With both in hand, I can assure you that the difference is only due to polishing vs. brushing. :)

[timlo]

Originally Posted by belligero

With both in hand, I can assure you that the difference is only due to polishing vs. brushing. :)

I think the lugs of 116520 look a bit more curved than those of 16520. How about the 116528? Does it have the same case as the 116520 especially the lugs?

[johisco]

The lugs on the crown side are more narrow, thinner than the left side on 16520. Ie the case is asymmetric. I guess to get the pushers not to stick out too much.

[inadeje]

Originally Posted by 037

Both the SS and PM Daytona cases are approximately 38.5mm OD. I've measured both my SS ceramic and YG OF ceramic bezels and the bezels and lug lengths are the same despite the visual changes. The differences on the PM cases (other than the YG on Oyster as Devildog mentioned above) are the symmetrical lugs and larger crown guards with 0.25mm wider cases.

The PM cases aren't 1.4mm larger as you mention. No modern Daytona is anywhere near 41mm. They're all in the 38.5mm range at the bezel. I believe PM bezels have a slightly larger OD but I don't have one handy to measure. It's marginal at best, however.

All of this was measured directly using calipers as I don't like pulling numbers out of the air.

HTH

I digress on the 1.4 rather 0.14. Size is different as I said, as are the lug angles. I noticed this with a WG I had for a while compared to my other Daytonas. Its subtle but its there and quite unusual there’d be a machining variation.

[Alan111]

Originally Posted by 037

Both the SS and PM Daytona cases are approximately 38.5mm OD. I've measured both my SS ceramic and YG OF ceramic bezels and the bezels and lug lengths are the same despite the visual changes. The differences on the PM cases (other than the YG on Oyster as Devildog mentioned above) are the symmetrical lugs and larger crown guards with 0.25mm wider cases.

The PM cases aren't 1.4mm larger as you mention. No modern Daytona is anywhere near 41mm. They're all in the 38.5mm range at the bezel. I believe PM bezels have a slightly larger OD but I don't have one handy to measure. It's marginal at best, however.

All of this was measured directly using calipers as I don't like pulling numbers out of the air.

HTH

I measured a RG case (116505) with calipers and the case comes in at 39.38mm measuring diagonally. Measurement of the bezel is 38.45mm.