Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Marco Tronchetti Provera spotted wearing Rolex

Marco Tronchetti Provera, the long-serving chief executive of the Pirelli Group and one of Italy's most prominent industrial figures, was recently photographed wearing a stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona, reference 116500. The sighting fits the man: Pirelli's DNA is motorsport, and the Daytona is arguably the definitive motorsport watch — a pairing that feels less like a fashion choice and more like a statement of professional identity.

The ref. 116500 arrived in 2016 as the successor to the reference 116520, and it brought a significant upgrade: a black or white Cerachrom ceramic bezel replacing the aluminium insert of its predecessor. The tachymetre scale is engraved directly into the ceramic and filled with PVD coating, making it virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant. Under the case, Rolex fitted the calibre 4130, an in-house automatic movement with a column-wheel and vertical clutch chronograph mechanism, offering a 72-hour power reserve and a free-sprung Parachrom hairspring for superior shock and temperature resistance. The case measures 40mm in steel, water-resistant to 100 metres.

From a collector standpoint, the ref. 116500 occupies a unique position. It was the first Daytona to feature a ceramic bezel and immediately attracted both seasoned collectors and new buyers, creating waiting lists at authorised dealers that stretched to years. The white-dial 'Panda' and black-dial 'reverse Panda' versions each developed their own devoted following. The reference was officially discontinued in 2023 with the introduction of the ref. 126500, cementing the 116500's status as a closed chapter — and driving secondary market premiums accordingly.

Tronchetti Provera has led Pirelli through its transformation into a premium tyre manufacturer with deep roots in Formula 1, making the Daytona a watch of obvious symbolic resonance. The CEO class in Italy has long favoured Rolex sport references for their legibility, durability, and understated authority — and the Daytona ref. 116500 ticks all three boxes without demanding attention.

On the grey market, the ref. 116500 continues to trade well above its original retail price, though premiums have moderated from the peaks of 2021-2022. It remains one of the most liquid assets in the secondary watch market, a testament to the enduring appeal of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona platform.