Mixed martial artist Islam Makhachev spotted wearing a Rolex

Islam Makhachev, the Russian UFC lightweight champion, was recently photographed wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126506-0003 at a public event. The steel sports chronograph, valued at approximately $200,000 on the secondary market, represents one of the most coveted modern Daytona variants among collectors and professional athletes alike. The watch sits prominently on his wrist, its white dial and chocolate bezel catching the ambient light in the venue.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126506-0003 debuted in 2019 as part of a significant update to the steel Daytona line. The reference combines a polished stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter with a ceramic unidirectional bezel finished in a rich chocolate brown—a departure from the traditional black bezels that dominated Daytona aesthetics for decades. The dial features a pristine white lacquer finish accented by three subdials in contrasting colours: 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, 12-hour register at 12 o'clock, and running seconds at 6 o'clock. All three chronograph pushers are tachymetric-graduated, and the watch carries a 100 m water resistance rating sufficient for recreational swimming but not diving.

Powering the Ref. 126506-0003 is Rolex's in-house Calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve and a date window at 3 o'clock. This self-winding mechanism represents a technical leap from vintage Daytona calibres, offering improved accuracy and reliability. The reference is fitted to a three-link Oyster bracelet with a Flip-Lock extension clasp, characteristic of modern Rolex sports watches. Production of this reference has remained consistent since its introduction, though secondary-market demand consistently outpaces supply, resulting in waitlists at authorised dealers and premiums on the grey market.

Makhachev's choice of the Ref. 126506-0003 aligns with broader trends among high-net-worth athletes who favour steel Daytonas over precious-metal variants. The chocolate bezel, in particular, has become synonymous with contemporary luxury sports aesthetics and represents a deliberate departure from the conservative all-black steel Daytona that preceded it. At $200,000 on the secondary market, the watch occupies a middle position within Makhachev's collection, which also includes Richard Mille chronographs and Patek Philippe Aquanauts totalling over $2.2 million.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 126506-0003 retails at approximately $14,550 at authorised dealers, yet secondary-market pricing has elevated it to $200,000 or beyond for unworn examples. This premium reflects both manufacturing constraints and the Daytona's status as a pillar of sports watch collecting. For athletes and collectors seeking modern racing heritage with proven movement reliability, the Ref. 126506-0003 remains a benchmark steel chronograph.