Footballer Ivan Rakitic spotted wearing a Rolex

At a FC Barcelona Champions League press conference, Croatian midfielder Ivan Rakitic sat before the cameras wearing what sharp-eyed observers quickly identified as a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 18k Everose gold — the reference 116505 with a chocolate dial and distinctive Arabic numeral markers with blue accents. Press conferences are rarely a showcase for serious watchmaking, but Rakitic made a quiet statement.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116505 is powered by the in-house Calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch that Rolex developed entirely internally after decades of relying on the Zenith El Primero base. The movement beats at 28,800 vph, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer to ±2 seconds per day — tighter than standard COSC specifications. The 40mm Oyster case in Everose gold, Rolex's proprietary 18k rose gold alloy formulated to resist fading, carries a tachymeter bezel engraved with scale markings for calculating speed over distance.

The chocolate dial variant of the 116505 occupies a particularly coveted position in Daytona lore. Introduced as part of Rolex's broader push into precious metal Daytonas with warm, earthy dials, the combination of the brown-toned chronograph sub-registers, blue Arabic numerals at the 3, 6, and 9 o'clock positions, and the rose gold case creates a cohesion that more conventional black or white dial references don't achieve. Collectors consistently rank it among the most wearable luxury Daytonas in the full-gold lineup.

Rakitic, a midfielder known for his technical precision at Barça under both Luis Enrique and Ernesto Valverde, has consistently shown refined taste off the pitch. Choosing a full rose gold Daytona — rather than the more ubiquitous steel 116500LN — signals genuine collector awareness rather than simply defaulting to the most visible reference.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116505 in Everose gold with chocolate dial routinely trades above retail, with dealers asking anywhere from $42,000 to $50,000 depending on condition and completeness of set. The official retail price sits at $37,450, making it effectively unobtainable at list from authorized dealers without significant relationship capital.