Footballer Karim Rekik spotted wearing a Rolex

Karim Rekik, the Dutch-Tunisian central defender currently marshalling Marseille's backline, was recently spotted wearing what collectors recognise instantly as one of Rolex's most desirable wrist pieces: the Cosmograph Daytona reference 116515LN in 18ct Everose gold with a chocolate brown dial — the so-called 'cadran chocolat' configuration.

The 116515LN sits within the current-generation Daytona family introduced progressively from 2000 onwards. Its 40mm Everose gold case — Rolex's own proprietary rose gold alloy incorporating platinum to stabilise the pink hue over decades — houses the calibre 4130 automatic movement, a chronograph engine developed entirely in-house at Rolex. The 4130 runs at 28,800 vph, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and replaced the legendary Zenith El Primero base that earlier Daytonas relied upon. The black ceramic bezel with tachymetric scale in Cerachrom contrasts sharply against the warm gold case, while the chocolate brown dial with matching subsidiary registers delivers a tonal coherence that photographs beautifully and reads even better in person.

From a collector standpoint, the 116515LN occupies a particular sweet spot. It is a current-production reference — not a vintage grail — yet its combination of Everose gold, ceramic bezel, and the increasingly sought-after chocolate dial configuration means it rarely sits unsold at any price point. The 4130 calibre is universally respected for its column-wheel construction and vertical clutch, eliminating the hand-jump at chronograph start that plagued earlier designs. Serious enthusiasts consider this generation the most technically accomplished Daytona to date.

Rekik's affinity for the piece is consistent with a broader pattern among European footballers who gravitate toward understated precious metal sports watches over more ostentatious choices. The chocolate-and-rose-gold palette reads as considered rather than flashy — a collector's pick rather than a footballer's cliché.

At official retail the 116515LN carries a list price in the region of $21,900 USD. On the secondary market, demand for the chocolate dial configuration pushes grey-market premiums considerably higher, with examples regularly trading above $35,000 — a reflection of restricted boutique supply and sustained global appetite for Rolex Daytona references in precious metal.