Cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing a Rolex

Spotted moving through what appears to be a busy Indian airport, Virat Kohli — one of the most recognisable athletes on the planet — was photographed with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 18k yellow gold riding comfortably on his wrist. The sighting is notable not just for the celebrity, but for the watch itself: a full-gold Daytona is a deliberate statement piece, chosen by collectors who want something beyond the stainless-steel mainstream.

The reference in question is almost certainly the 116508, the yellow gold Daytona introduced in 2000 when Rolex debuted the calibre 4130 movement — a watershed moment in the model's history. Before 4130, the Daytona relied on an ébauche derived from the Zenith El Primero. The in-house calibre brought a column-wheel chronograph mechanism, a lateral clutch, and a 72-hour power reserve to a watch that had already achieved near-mythological status. The champagne dial with black sub-registers and applied gold hour markers is one of the cleaner dial options in the 116508 range, contrasting elegantly against the 40mm yellow gold Oyster case and matching Oyster bracelet.

Among collectors, the full-yellow-gold Daytona occupies a specific tier. It lacks the raw desirability of the platinum 116506 or the contemporary cool of the 116500LN in steel, but it carries a classical authority that appeals to serious horological collectors as well as high-net-worth buyers who view it as a recognised store of value. Pre-owned 116508 examples in champagne/black have held price premiums above retail consistently for years.

Kohli's relationship with luxury watches is well-documented — the Indian captain has been photographed with multiple high-end references across brands. A full-gold Daytona, however, signals a collector with a clear point of view: this is not a starter piece. It is a watch chosen with intent, sitting at the intersection of horological history and material luxury.

At original retail, the 116508 was listed around $32,400 before its discontinuation with the introduction of the updated 126508 in 2023. On the secondary market, clean examples in yellow gold with champagne dials trade between $38,000 and $45,000 depending on condition, papers, and box — a testament to Rolex's enduring market resilience even in softer grey-market conditions.