Musician Adam Levine spotted wearing a Rolex

Adam Levine, frontman of Maroon 5, was recently photographed examining a heavily customised Rolex Daytona 116508 in 18K yellow gold—the result of a collaborative project with Geneva-based customiser Artisans de Genève. The watch, displayed alongside its yellow gold Oyster bracelet and matching lugs, showcases a skeleton movement visible through the dial, a white dial base with striking green luminescent accents, and matching lume applied to the bezel and hands for nocturnal visibility. This bespoke transformation began with Levine's own Daytona and represents the kind of high-touch horological personalisation that appeals to discerning collectors.

The Rolex Daytona 116508 is the yellow gold variant of the modern Daytona line, introduced in the early 2000s and discontinued in 2016 when the Chronograph was updated with the new calibre 4130-based 116508 evolution. The reference houses the Rolex calibre 4130, a self-winding chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve, beat rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour, and approximately 290 components. The case measures 40 mm in diameter, is water-resistant to 100 metres, and features a fixed tachymeter bezel. The standard dial presented a sunburst finish with applied hour markers; however, Artisans de Genève's intervention replaced this entirely, introducing a skeleton dial that exposes the movement's upper plate and bridges while maintaining chronograph subdials. The luminous application to dial, bezel, and hands—rendered in a distinctive green tone—ensures visibility in low-light conditions.

The 116508 holds particular significance among Daytona collectors as the last yellow gold Daytona before the reference line transitioned to the updated 116508 LN variant and eventually the current 126508. Yellow gold Daytonas of this era command premium prices in the secondary market, and the scarcity of unworn examples drives collector demand. Customisation projects such as this one, undertaken by respected independent watchmakers, further cement the 116508's status as a platform for horological expression. The skeleton dial modification is irreversible, making Levine's bespoke piece a one-of-a-kind artifact rather than a standard reference.

Levine's ownership aligns with a broader trend among celebrity collectors toward unique, personalised timepieces that transcend standard retail offerings. The 116508 in yellow gold carries significant symbolic weight—both as an investment-grade sports chronograph and as a canvas for artistic customisation. Artisans de Genève's expertise in movement finishing and lume application elevates this particular example beyond mere novelty, situating it within serious horological circles.

Retail pricing for a standard 116508 in unworn condition historically ranged from $28,000 to $32,000 USD at launch. Current grey-market valuations for unworn 116508 examples typically fluctuate between $35,000 and $42,000 USD, depending on dial condition and provenance. A customised skeleton variant by Artisans de Genève would command a significant premium—potentially $45,000 to $55,000 USD—reflecting both the base reference value and the cost of specialist movement finishing and lume application. Such bespoke projects fall outside traditional market comparables, making appraisal dependent on buyer appreciation for the customiser's craft.