Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Luka Modric spotted wearing Rolex

Luka Modric was photographed celebrating Real Madrid's 2019/2020 La Liga championship title wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116508 in 18K yellow gold with a green dial — a pairing that sits at the sharper end of the Daytona's catalogue in terms of both rarity and desirability.

The Daytona ref. 116508 was introduced in 2013 as part of Rolex's broader overhaul of the precious metal Daytona family. It houses the in-house Calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement that replaced the earlier Zenith El Primero-based ébauche and marked a significant step in Rolex's commitment to full vertical integration. The 4130 beats at 28,800 vph, offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve, and is COSC-certified. The 40mm yellow gold Oyster case pairs with a matching yellow gold Oyster bracelet, and the green lacquered dial features three contrasting subdials — a configuration that reads as both sporty and formally luxurious.

Among collectors, the green dial 116508 occupies a particular sweet spot. Yellow gold Daytonas in general carry a strong following, but the green dial variant attracts buyers who want something beyond the standard black or white configuration. Rolex produces this reference in small numbers relative to demand, and waitlists at authorized dealers have historically stretched to years. On the secondary market, premiums over retail have been sustained and significant, driven by genuine scarcity rather than speculative noise alone.

Modric's choice is consistent with the measured elegance he brings to his public profile. The Croatian captain and 2018 Ballon d'Or winner rarely courts attention off the pitch, and the Daytona 116508 — prestigious but not ostentatious — suits that sensibility. Photographed at the La Liga title celebrations, the watch functions as a quiet personal marker on a landmark team occasion.

At the time of the sighting, the UK list price was £29,350. In the grey market, demand for the green dial 116508 has pushed transaction prices considerably above retail, with examples regularly trading between $55,000 and $70,000 USD depending on condition, box, and papers — a persistent premium that underlines why this reference remains one of Rolex's most sought-after current productions.