Footballer Thiago Silva spotted wearing a Rolex

Thiago Silva, the veteran Brazilian centre-back with stints at AC Milan, Paris Saint-Germain, and Chelsea FC, was recently photographed in a candid off-duty setting wearing what is almost certainly a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116508 — the 18k yellow gold variant fitted with a striking green dial. The image, shared via watch dealer Richard Belgium, shows Silva in a contemplative pose that inadvertently offers a clear view of the bracelet and case colour, confirming the all-gold configuration.

The Daytona 116508 houses Rolex's in-house calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch that replaced the earlier Zenith-based 4030 in 2000. The movement beats at 28,800 vph, offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve, and is chronometer-certified by COSC. The 40mm case in 18k yellow gold features the characteristic tachymeter bezel and tri-colour sub-register layout — a design lineage stretching back to the 1963 reference 6239. The green sunburst dial, available in this yellow gold reference, adds a contemporary luxury dimension while nodding to Rolex's signature use of green across its most prestigious pieces.

From a collector standpoint, the 116508 green dial occupies serious territory. Green-dialled Daytonas have historically attracted outsized demand relative to other dial options, and the yellow gold case amplifies that desirability. With the subsequent introduction of the 126508 featuring the calibre 4131 and a restyled dial, the 116508 has transitioned to discontinued status, which collectors generally interpret as a long-term value signal.

Silva's watch sensibility aligns with his status as one of football's most decorated defenders — a player whose career has spanned three of Europe's top clubs across nearly two decades. The Daytona, historically associated with motorsport and achievement, makes for an apt choice for an athlete of his calibre.

On the current grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116508 with green dial trades well above its original retail price, reflecting sustained demand and limited secondary market supply. For collectors and enthusiasts tracking footballer wrist game, Silva's 116508 green is a benchmark spot.