Rolex Daytona — Reference 16520 — Bracelet Variants
16520 Bracelets
The 16520 was produced across more than a decade and went through four distinct bracelet configurations, each reflecting incremental engineering improvements and collector-notable differences. Understanding which bracelet is correct for a given serial range is essential for authenticating an original, unmodified example.
78360
1988 – 1989 · R & L Serial
Non-fliplock clasp. No polished center links.
78390
Early production
Polished center links introduced.
78390A
Mid production
Fliplock clasp added. No diver’s extension.
SEL
1999–2000 · A & P Serial
Solid End Links. Eliminated bracelet rattle.
Bracelet 78360 — Original Issue
R Serial — 1988
L Serial — 1989
The original bracelet on the 16520 from 1988–89 was a 78360 with a non-fliplock clasp. The center links were not polished.
Reference
78360
Clasp Type
Non-fliplock
Center Links
Not polished (brushed)
Diver’s Extension
Not present
Bracelet 78390 — Polished Center Links
The second bracelet fitted to the 16520 was a 78390 with center polished links — a notable cosmetic upgrade that gave the watch a two-tone brushed-and-polished look characteristic of the era.
Reference
78390
Clasp Type
Non-fliplock
Center Links
Polished
Diver’s Extension
Not present
Bracelet 78390A — Fliplock Clasp
The third bracelet was a 78390A with a flip lock clasp, but no diver’s extension was present. The fliplock was a security improvement over the earlier plain deployant.
Reference
78390A
Clasp Type
Fliplock
Center Links
Polished
Diver’s Extension
Not present
SEL Bracelet — Solid End Links
A Serial — 1999
P Serial — 2000 (End of Production)
In 1999 (A and P Serial) a new SEL (Solid End Link) bracelet was introduced. This eliminated the Rolex “rattle” of the bracelet — a notable quality-of-life improvement appreciated by collectors and wearers alike.
The SEL bracelet is correct on A and P serial 16520s. When buying a late-production example, confirming the SEL bracelet is an important authentication point alongside the Mark V luminova dial.
End Links
Solid (SEL)
Key Improvement
Eliminated bracelet rattle
Correct Serial Range
A (1999) — P (2000)
Paired Dial
Mark V Luminova
Reference Photos
For comparison, below is a photo of an A Serial and R Serial side by side — note the bracelet and end-link differences between early and late production.
A Serial (1999) vs. R Serial (1988) — bracelet comparison