Watch Paparazzi

Singer Liam Payne spotted wearing Rolex

Liam Payne was photographed wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116506, one of the Swiss manufacture's most exclusive production references and a watch that commands serious attention both on the wrist and in the collector market. The piece is instantly recognizable by its signature ice-blue dial, a color Rolex applies exclusively to platinum-cased watches as a subtle but deliberate mark of distinction within the collection.

Rolex launched the reference 116506 at Baselworld 2013, marking the first time the iconic Daytona chronograph had been offered in a full 950-platinum case. The 40mm case is paired with an ice-blue dial featuring a tachymetric scale on the bezel, also executed in platinum. Power comes from the manufacture calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch, offering approximately 72 hours of power reserve and a 28,800 vph beat rate — a movement widely regarded as one of the most reliable chronograph calibres in production.

From a collector standpoint, the 116506 occupies a unique position. Unlike the stainless steel Daytona references that sit on multi-year waiting lists at authorized dealers, the platinum variant attracts a different kind of buyer — one less concerned with scarcity theatre and more drawn to the material and technical purity of the piece. Grey market premiums exist but are comparatively measured, reflecting a buyer profile that skews toward genuine connoisseurs over speculators.

Liam Payne, who rose to global fame as a member of One Direction before launching a successful solo career, has been spotted with a range of high-end timepieces over the years. The choice of the Daytona 116506 signals a move beyond the usual celebrity staples toward a piece with real horological substance — platinum Daytonas are owned for what they are, not for what they signal on social media.

At UK retail, the reference 116506 carries an RRP of approximately £50,000, translating to roughly $62,000–$65,000 USD depending on exchange rates. On the secondary market, examples in unworn condition with full set trade consistently in the $70,000–$85,000 range, underlining the enduring demand for one of Rolex's most quietly authoritative references.