Singer The Weeknd spotted wearing a Rolex

At the Cannes Film Festival, The Weeknd arrived on the Croisette wearing one of the most extravagant references in Rolex's entire production history: the Daytona 116588SACO in 18K yellow gold, its bezel ablaze with 32 baguette-cut orange sapphires and its dial set with 11 matching baguette sapphire hour markers, all mounted on the brand's proprietary OysterFlex bracelet. Few pieces in any watch collection command attention quite so immediately.

The Rolex Daytona 116588SACO sits at the apex of the manufacturer's gem-set programme. Introduced as part of Rolex's 'Rainbow' and exotic stone Daytona family, this specific reference deploys vivid orange sapphires — a stone choice that demands exceptional colour consistency across 43 individual pieces. Beneath the dial, the calibre 4130 automatic chronograph movement powers the watch: a column-wheel, vertical clutch mechanism with a 72-hour power reserve, COSC-certified to -2/+2 seconds per day. The 40mm yellow gold case is paired with the OysterFlex, a black elastomer bracelet on a titanium and steel spine, combining precious metal aesthetics with sports-watch wearability.

Among collectors, the gem-set Daytona family occupies a singular position. The 116588SACO is not a watch Rolex produces in volume, and authorised dealer allocations are essentially non-existent for retail buyers. The orange sapphire configuration is rarer still than the more widely discussed rainbow variants, and condition — particularly bezel integrity — is paramount to valuation. Any chipped or replaced stone triggers significant depreciation, making unworn or lightly worn examples disproportionately sought after.

The Weeknd has established himself as one of the most watch-literate artists in contemporary music, with a collection that spans ultra-complicated haute horlogerie and gem-set sports references. Choosing the 116588SACO for a Cannes appearance — a festival defined by spectacle and visual language — reads as a deliberate, considered statement rather than mere flex.

On the current grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116588SACO trades at approximately $370,000, reflecting both extreme scarcity and sustained collector demand. Official retail pricing, where the watch even theoretically appears, sits well below secondary market reality — underscoring just how detached this reference is from conventional Rolex retail dynamics.