Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Samuel Eto'o spotted wearing Rolex

Samuel Eto'o, one of African football's greatest ever strikers and now president of the Cameroon Football Federation, was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 'Meteorite' reference 116509 in 18k white gold — a piece that sits at the very top of the Daytona hierarchy both in terms of material rarity and collector desirability.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116509 was introduced in its meteorite-dial configuration in 2021, bringing an extraterrestrial dimension to an already storied reference. The dial is crafted from genuine iron-nickel meteorite, its characteristic Widmanstätten crystalline pattern formed over billions of years of slow cooling in space. Each dial is therefore entirely unique. The black lacquer chronograph sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock provide sharp contrast against the grey cosmic matrix. The 40mm case, fluted bezel, and five-link Oyster bracelet are all executed in 18k white gold. Powering the watch is the Rolex calibre 4130, an in-house column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch, offering 72 hours of power reserve and COSC-certified precision.

The Daytona's collector pedigree needs little introduction, but the meteorite variants occupy a particularly coveted tier. Reference 116509 in white gold with a meteorite dial represents a confluence of precious metal, exotic dial material, and one of the most proven chronograph movements in production. Unlike the evergreen stainless steel 116500LN, this reference targets a collector willing to step decisively into precious-metal territory — and the market reflects that appetite emphatically.

Eto'o's taste in horology has long leaned toward statement pieces befitting his outsized career — Champions League titles with Barcelona and Inter Milan, and an enduring commercial profile that transcends his playing days. The white gold Daytona 'Meteorite' suits that profile precisely: understated enough to be worn daily, yet sufficiently rare to signal genuine connoisseurship.

At a retail price of $41,750, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116509 'Meteorite' is already a significant investment — but secondary market reality tells a different story. Grey-market values have climbed to approximately $100,000, a premium of well over 100% that underscores just how constrained Rolex's allocation of this reference remains. For collectors fortunate enough to acquire one at retail, it represents one of the stronger value propositions in contemporary watchmaking.