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Pilot Lewis Hamilton spotted wearing Rolex

Lewis Hamilton has never been subtle about his appreciation for fine watchmaking, and a recent sighting confirms the Mercedes-turned-Ferrari driver was on the wrist with one of Rolex's most serious — and seriously covetable — pieces: the Daytona 116505 in 18ct Everose gold with a black dial.

The Rolex Daytona Reference 116505 represents a watershed moment in the Daytona's history. Introduced in 2012 and running until its discontinuation in 2023 when the new-generation 126505 took over, the 116505 was the first Daytona to house Rolex's fully in-house Calibre 4130. That self-winding movement, beating at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve, replaced the famous Zenith El Primero-based 4030 and gave Rolex complete vertical control over the chronograph. The column-wheel and vertical clutch architecture delivers a clean, near-instantaneous chronograph engagement — technically superior to the lateral clutch of its predecessor. The 40mm Everose gold case pairs with a matching Oyster bracelet and pushers in the same alloy, while the black lacquer dial keeps the sub-registers crisp and legible against the warm metal tone.

Among collectors, the 116505 in black dial occupies a firm upper tier. It avoids the fever-pitch speculation surrounding the steel 116500LN, yet commands genuine respect: a full precious-metal Daytona with an integrated in-house movement is a horological statement rather than a flipping vehicle. The black dial configuration, rarer than the white and meteorite variants, carries a quiet premium on the secondary market. Since the reference's discontinuation in 2023, grey-market prices have firmed noticeably as supply dries up.

Hamilton's relationship with Rolex is well-documented — he has worn the brand across paddock appearances, red carpets, and social media for years, and his choices tend toward the bold rather than the understated. A full rose gold Daytona fits that profile precisely: technical credibility wrapped in unapologetic luxury.

At UK retail the 116505 listed at approximately £26,000. On the current grey market, examples in excellent condition with full set command a meaningful premium over that figure, reflecting both the reference's discontinuation status and sustained global demand for in-house Daytona references in precious metal.