Footballer Achraf Hakimi spotted wearing a Rolex

Achraf Hakimi, the PSG and Moroccan national team full-back widely regarded as one of the world's best defenders, was photographed wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 18-carat yellow gold, reference 116518LN-0048 — a piece that sits at the intersection of motorsport heritage and haute horlogerie.

The 116518LN measures 40mm in diameter and is crafted entirely in 18-carat yellow gold, immediately placing it in a different tier from the steel Daytona that famously commands multi-year waitlists. The dial in champagne tones is a natural companion to the yellow gold case, lending the piece a cohesive, warm aesthetic. Contrasting sharply is the black Cerachrom bezel — Rolex's proprietary ceramic compound, virtually scratch-proof and UV-stable — engraved with a tachymetric scale for calculating average speed. The watch is presented here on an Oysterflex bracelet, a vulcanised rubber strap reinforced by a longitudinal metal blade, combining sport comfort with formal presence.

At the heart of the 116518LN beats the Rolex Calibre 4130, an in-house automatic chronograph movement featuring a column wheel and vertical clutch — a mechanism long praised by watchmakers for its smooth engagement and minimal lag at the start of a timing sequence. The movement delivers a 72-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 vph. Rolex introduced the 4130 in 2000, and it remains one of the most respected chronograph calibres in series production.

From a collector's perspective, the yellow gold Daytona occupies an interesting position. Less speculative than steel, it nonetheless appreciates steadily on secondary markets, with condition and dial variant playing a decisive role in pricing. The champagne dial with Cerachrom combination is among the cleaner, more restrained executions in the precious-metal Daytona lineup, making it broadly appealing to both wrist-wearers and long-term collectors.

Hakimi has established himself as a fixture in high-profile watch culture among elite footballers. His choice of the Daytona 116518LN-0048 — a watch with genuine technical credentials rather than mere status appeal — reflects an informed approach to collecting. With a retail price around $41,000 USD, and grey-market values running close to or slightly above that figure for gold references, this is a watch that holds its ground.