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Footballer Karim Benzema spotted wearing Rolex

Karim Benzema, the French striker who spent nearly two decades defining Real Madrid's attacking identity before his high-profile move to Al-Ittihad in Saudi Arabia, was recently spotted on the wrist wearing one of Rolex's most quietly extravagant references — the Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116509 in 18kt white gold, fitted with a Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial set with diamond hour markers.

The Rolex Daytona 116509 sits at the intersection of motorsport heritage and haute horlogerie. Introduced as part of the white gold Daytona family, the reference houses Rolex's proprietary Calibre 4130 — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph movement developed entirely in-house and first unveiled in 2000. The Cal. 4130 runs at 28,800 vph, offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve, and is widely considered one of the most robust and accurate chronograph movements in production. The case measures 40mm, features Rolex's signature trio of pushers and tachymetric bezel — here executed in 18kt white gold — and the entire construction carries Rolex's Superlative Chronometer certification.

The Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial elevates the 116509 above its stainless steel Daytona siblings in a significant way. Because no two shells are identical, each dial exhibits a singular pattern of iridescence — typically ranging from deep charcoal to silvery blue-green — ensuring absolute dial uniqueness. Paired with diamond hour markers, the result is a piece that occupies a legitimate space between sports watch and jewellery-grade timepiece, a combination that resonates strongly with high-net-worth collectors and athletes alike.

Benzema has long cultivated a reputation as one of football's most discerning watch enthusiasts, with a collection that reportedly spans Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, and Rolex. His choice of the 116509 reflects an understanding of watchmaking that goes beyond logo recognition — this is a reference that rewards knowledge. The white gold Daytona with an exotic dial is not the loudest choice available to him, but arguably the most considered.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116509 with a mother-of-pearl diamond dial commands a significant premium over its already substantial retail price. Collectors seeking this specific dial variant will find supply genuinely limited, keeping secondary market values firm and demand consistent.