Basketball player Evan Fournier spotted wearing a Rolex

Evan Fournier, the French-born NBA forward for Olympiacos, was recently spotted in a winter styling moment combining a luxury Brunello Cucinelli jacket with one of the most sought-after watches in contemporary horology: a yellow gold Rolex Daytona with a meteorite dial and Oysterflex bracelet. The sighting underscores how elite athletes increasingly curate timepieces as essential wardrobe anchors.

The watch is the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116518LN, a yellow gold chronograph introduced in 2000 and produced until 2016. The case measures 40 mm in diameter and 12.8 mm in thickness, machined from 18-karat yellow gold. The bezel features Rolex's black ceramic insert with engraved tachymeter scale, a refinement introduced in 2005 that improved legibility and durability over the earlier aluminium bezel. The meteorite dial—a rare option available only on select Daytona references—features natural Gibeon meteorite material, each piece displaying unique crystalline patterns. Applied gold hour markers and Mercedes-hand design remain hallmarks of the Daytona aesthetic. The Ref. 116518LN pairs the case with Rolex's Oysterflex bracelet, a rubber-metal hybrid introduced in 2015, offering flexibility and comfort absent from steel variants.

Powering the Daytona is Rolex's Calibre 4130, a vertical-clutch chronograph movement with 44 jewels, a 72-hour power reserve, and 28,800 bph beat rate. The movement earned COSC chronometer certification and can be admired through a sapphire exhibition caseback. Water resistance extends to 100 metres, sufficient for daily wear despite the chronograph's precision heritage.

The meteorite dial variant commands collector attention because Rolex produced it in strictly limited quantities across only a handful of Daytona references. The Ref. 116518LN with meteorite remains significantly rarer than its sunburst counterparts, driving secondary-market premiums. Yellow gold examples, particularly with Oysterflex, represent a contemporary collecting thesis: combining vintage Daytona prestige with modern materials and accessibility over steel.

Fournier's choice reflects broader NBA-athlete horological sophistication. The Daytona 116518LN retailed around $36,000–$38,000 when in production; current grey-market prices range $55,000–$72,000 depending on dial condition and service history. Meteorite-dial examples consistently command the upper spectrum, making this sighting a notable statement of taste.