Watch Paparazzi

Television presenter Styrk Fjærtoft Trondsen spotted wearing Rolex

Norwegian television presenter and photographer Styrk Fjærtoft Trondsen was recently snapped in a studio setting, Nikon D3s raised and ready to shoot — with a very telling glint of white gold and diamonds on his wrist. The watch in question appears to be a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116509 in 18k white gold, fitted with a black dial set with diamond hour markers and the signature white gold tachymeter bezel. It is the kind of watch that does not announce itself loudly, but rewards those who look closely.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116509 was introduced in the early 2000s as part of the generation that replaced the legendary 16528. It houses the in-house calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch that Rolex developed entirely independently, offering exceptional precision and a silky-smooth chrono engagement. The 40mm white gold case is paired with an Oyster bracelet and a black ceramic-free, white gold bezel engraved with the tachymeter scale — a detail that distinguishes it from the later 116500LN which adopted a Cerachrom bezel.

From a collector's standpoint, the 116509 with black diamond dial occupies a prestigious niche. The combination of 18k white gold and factory-set diamond indexes makes it the dressier end of the Daytona spectrum, yet the chronograph functionality keeps it firmly in tool-watch territory. It predates the ceramic bezel era, which for purists actually adds to its appeal — the polished white gold bezel has a classical warmth that the matte Cerachrom cannot replicate.

Trondsen's background as a working journalist, photographer and TV host makes the Daytona an apt choice. The model's origins in motorsport timing translate well to someone accustomed to fast-paced production environments where precision matters. Wearing it while operating professional camera equipment is a quietly confident statement.

On the current grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116509 with black diamond dial trades comfortably above retail, typically in the $28,000–$35,000 range depending on condition, papers and box. Official retail for white gold Daytona references has historically sat around $36,650 USD, though Rolex has since discontinued and refreshed parts of this lineup. A strong hold for any collection.