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boxerSpotted February 2023

Boxer Conor Benn spotted wearing a Rolex

boxer Conor Benn spotted wearing a Rolex 116508
Who & what: 18K Yellow Gold Rolex Daytona Green Dial Reference 116508 – Conor Benn

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.

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