Basketball player Jimmy Butler spotted wearing a Rolex

Jimmy Butler, the Miami Heat forward and one of the NBA's most recognisable watch collectors, was recently spotted on the wrist with one of Rolex's most extravagant production references — the Daytona 116588TBR in 18kt yellow gold, featuring a factory-set trapeze-cut diamond bezel mounted on Rolex's proprietary Oysterflex strap.

The Rolex Daytona 116588TBR sits at the apex of the brand's in-house gem-setting capability. The bezel houses 36 trapeze-cut diamonds, a geometric cut that Rolex's gem-setters select specifically for its compatibility with the Daytona's angular, stepped bezel profile — maximising brilliance without compromising structural integrity. The case is crafted entirely in 18kt yellow gold, measuring 40mm, and the dial on this reference is typically offered in a paved or contrasting configuration that reinforces the jewellery-watch aesthetic. Beneath the case, Rolex's calibre 4130 automatic chronograph movement handles all timekeeping duties — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch movement with a 72-hour power reserve that earns this piece genuine horological respect regardless of its diamond count.

The 116588TBR was introduced as part of Rolex's broader expansion of the Daytona line into precious metal and gem-set territory. Where the steel 116500LN dominates grey-market conversation, references like the 116588TBR represent what Rolex calls its Everose, yellow gold, and gem-setting programme — pieces produced in far smaller numbers and distributed almost exclusively through authorised jeweller boutiques. That limited distribution makes them genuinely difficult to acquire at list and quietly underscores their collector value.

Butler has built a reputation as one of the more serious watch enthusiasts in professional basketball — a player whose wrist choices lean toward substance as much as spectacle. The 116588TBR is a coherent choice for him: it reads as bold without being anonymous, and the Oysterflex strap keeps it wearable in environments where a gold bracelet would feel overwrought.

On the secondary market, the Daytona 116588TBR commands a meaningful premium above its already considerable retail price. The UK list price sits at £85,200, translating to approximately $107,000 USD at current rates, and grey-market values have tracked above retail consistently given the reference's restricted availability. For collectors, this is a Daytona that rewards patience to acquire and tends to hold value with quiet confidence.