Watch Paparazzi

Boxer Manny Pacquiao spotted wearing Rolex

The sighting occurred in the charged atmosphere surrounding the so-called 'Fight of the Century' — the May 2, 2015 megafight between Manny Pacquiao and Floyd Mayweather Jr. in Las Vegas. Pacquiao, one of the greatest pound-for-pound boxers in history, was photographed wearing a substantial yellow gold Rolex on his wrist, consistent with a man who had earned over $100 million for a single night's work and was known for his appreciation of fine timepieces.

The watch in question is the Rolex Yacht-Master II reference 116688, produced in 18k yellow gold with a blue ceramic (Cerachrom) bezel and a white dial. The 44mm case is among Rolex's largest, housing the calibre 4161 — an entirely in-house movement featuring the iconic Ring Command bezel, which physically couples the bezel to the movement to program the regatta countdown timer between 1 and 10 minutes. This mechanical memory function, which retains the set countdown even after the chronograph is reset, is a proprietary Rolex complication found nowhere else in Swiss watchmaking.

From a collector standpoint, the 116688 occupies a fascinating position. It is technically one of Rolex's most complex references, yet it remains less sought-after on the secondary market than the steel Daytona or Submariner, partly due to its bold dimensions and niche sailing complication. For enthusiasts who appreciate genuine mechanical innovation over status-symbol scarcity, however, the Yacht-Master II in yellow gold represents outstanding value relative to its engineering content.

Pacquiao's choice of the 116688 aligns well with his public persona — flamboyant, successful, and unafraid of making a statement. The yellow gold and blue combination is one of the most visually striking configurations in the Rolex sport catalogue, projecting wealth without ambiguity. It is a watch worn by someone comfortable at the top of their field.

On the grey market, the 116688 trades at a modest premium or occasionally at a slight discount to retail depending on condition and vintage of production, making it one of the more accessible full-gold Rolex sport references for collectors looking to enter that tier of the market.