Watch Paparazzi

Pilot Valentino Rossi spotted wearing Rolex

Valentino Rossi — arguably the greatest motorcycle road racer in history — was recently spotted on the wrist of the Rolex Yacht-Master 40, reference 116655, one of the more technically and aesthetically distinctive references in the current Rolex catalogue. For a man accustomed to operating at the absolute limit of man and machine, the choice of this particular reference speaks volumes.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 40 ref. 116655 was introduced in 2015 and represented a genuine engineering statement from the Crown. The 40mm case and bidirectional rotatable bezel are crafted entirely in Rolex's proprietary Everose gold — an 18k rose gold alloy developed in-house with a higher platinum content to resist fading over time. The bezel insert is executed in matte Chromalight-filled raised numerals, improving legibility in low-light conditions. Powering the watch is the Calibre 3135, Rolex's workhorse self-winding movement offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve with a Parachrom hairspring and Paraflex shock absorbers — robust, chronometer-certified, and built to last generations.

What makes the 116655 a genuine collector's piece is its bracelet. Rolex fitted this reference exclusively with the Oysterflex — a black elastomer strap housing a longitudinal metal blade that combines the comfort of rubber with the structural integrity of a metal bracelet. At the time of launch, this was a first for Rolex on a precious metal model, and it remains a defining detail of the reference. The combination of Everose gold and Oysterflex gives the 116655 a sporting luxury identity that no other Rolex quite replicates.

Rossi retired from MotoGP competition in 2021 after a career spanning 26 seasons and nine World Championship titles across three classes. He has since competed in GT racing and remains one of the most recognizable athletes on the planet. His watch choices tend to reflect considered taste rather than ostentation — the Yacht-Master 116655 fits that profile precisely: understated in silhouette, exceptional in material and execution.

On the market, the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 reference 116655 carries an official retail price in the region of $21,350 USD. Given the persistent demand for precious metal Rolex sports references, grey market values have tracked above retail, typically settling in the $23,000–$26,000 range depending on condition and provenance. It is not a watch that sits in display cases for long.