Watch Paparazzi

Boxer Conor Benn spotted wearing Rolex

Conor Benn, the British welterweight contender carrying one of boxing's most storied surnames, was recently spotted wearing an 18K yellow gold Rolex Daytona with a green dial — reference 116508 — a pairing that sits at the intersection of classical watchmaking and genuine collector desirability.

The Rolex Daytona 116508 is built around the in-house Calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement that Rolex developed after decades of relying on the Valjoux ebauche. The 4130 offers a 72-hour power reserve, a vertical clutch for cleaner chronograph starts, and a reduced parts count that improves long-term reliability. The case measures 40mm in 18K yellow gold, paired here with a green lacquered dial — a colour introduced to the Daytona lineup to considerable fanfare and immediate market pressure. The Oysterflex bracelet option is available on rubber-strapped variants, but the reference traditionally ships on an integrated Oyster bracelet in matching gold.

From a collector standpoint, the green-dial Daytona 116508 occupies a specific tier of desirability. Green dials across Rolex's catalogue — from the Submariner 116610LV to the GMT-Master II 126720VTNR — have consistently attracted premiums, but the Daytona's green is particularly covetable given the model's historical scarcity at authorised dealers. Waiting lists for gold Daytonas routinely stretch years, making grey-market acquisition the practical route for most buyers.

Conor Benn is no stranger to high-profile appearances. The son of former WBO and WBC super-middleweight champion Nigel Benn, Conor has built a professional record and a public profile that extends well beyond British boxing circles. His choice of the Daytona 116508 reflects a collector instinct — this is not a watch purchased impulsively; it is a reference that requires either patience at retail or a significant secondary-market premium.

At a list price of approximately $38,700, the Rolex Daytona 116508 in yellow gold with a green dial is already a substantial investment. On the grey market, current values sit around $73,000 — a premium of roughly 89% over retail — underscoring both the enduring strength of the Daytona as an asset and the particular appeal of this colour configuration.