Singer Justin Bieber spotted wearing a Rolex

Justin Bieber was recently photographed wearing the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116508 in 18-karat yellow gold, fitted with a champagne-toned dial — a combination that sits at the intersection of vintage warmth and modern mechanical precision. For a watch that officially carries a UK list price of £29,350, the real story is how dramatically the secondary market has rewritten its value.

The Rolex Daytona 116508 was introduced in the early 2000s as part of the generation of Daytonas powered entirely by Rolex's own manufacture movement. The caliber 4130, beating beneath the case, represents a significant engineering achievement: a column-wheel chronograph with a vertical clutch, offering a clean start without the dial-hand jump associated by older horizontal-clutch designs. The movement runs at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve and is built to Rolex's Superlative Chronometer standard, meaning it is certified to ±2 seconds per day after casing.

The champagne dial of the ref. 116508 is a particularly well-regarded configuration among collectors. Its warm golden register subdials — framed by the yellow gold 40mm Oyster case — create a monochromatic cohesion that more contrasting dial options cannot match. The tachymetric bezel is executed in solid 18k yellow gold rather than ceramic, a detail that distinguishes it from the subsequent 126508 generation introduced in 2023. The older reference has consequently developed a collector following of its own.

Bieber's relationship with fine watches is well documented. The Canadian artist has worn pieces from Richard Mille, Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet in public appearances, suggesting a collection built on genuine interest rather than casual accessorizing. The 116508 in champagne dial is not an entry-level gesture — it is a considered choice within the Daytona family.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116508 yellow gold champagne dial currently trades between $48,000 and $58,000 depending on condition, completeness of box and papers, and dial originality — roughly double its official retail equivalent. That premium reflects both the chronic Rolex Daytona supply constraint and the growing collector preference for the outgoing 116508 reference over its successor.