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cricketerSpotted June 2023

Cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing a Rolex

cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing a Rolex
Who & what: Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller Stainless Steel 116660 D-Blue 'James Cameron' Dial – Virat Kohli Watch Sighting

Virat Kohli was photographed at Mumbai airport dressed in a casual all-black outfit — a signature low-key look for one of cricket's most recognisable global figures. On his wrist sat a Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660, identifiable by the distinctive gradient D-Blue 'James Cameron' dial, named after the director who descended to the Mariana Trench in 2012 wearing a prototype version of the same watch. The blue-to-black ombre dial is unique to this reference and remains one of Rolex's most visually dramatic dials in production.

The Rolex Deepsea Sea-Dweller reference 116660 is built around the in-house Calibre 3135, a 28,800 vph COSC-certified movement offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve. The case measures a substantial 44mm in diameter and sits nearly 18mm thick — a necessary consequence of the Ringlock System, Rolex's patented internal framework that prevents case deformation at extreme depths. The unidirectional Cerachrom bezel in black ceramic, the Oyster bracelet with Glidelock extension system, and the flat sapphire crystal all reinforce the watch's position as a genuine professional diving instrument, not merely a sport aesthetic.

From a collector's perspective, the 116660 D-Blue occupies a respected but accessible tier. It was introduced at Baselworld 2014 as a tribute to Cameron's dive and immediately became a grail for enthusiasts who wanted a Rolex with genuine narrative. Unlike the standard black-dial 116660, the D-Blue commands a meaningful premium on secondary markets and is widely regarded as one of the most wearable large-format Rolex references ever made.

Kohli's watch collection is well-documented and spans multiple luxury maisons, but his recurring preference for Rolex sport references aligns with an athlete's appreciation for functional credentials over pure decorative luxury. The Deepsea sits comfortably in that philosophy — overengineered, understated in person, and deeply credible.

At retail the 116660 D-Blue carried an official price of approximately $12,400 before Rolex discontinued it in 2018 with the introduction of the 126660. On the grey market, clean examples with boxes and papers consistently trade between $14,000 and $17,000, reflecting both the discontinuation premium and sustained collector demand. For Kohli, it is a considered choice: technically serious, historically layered, and quietly expensive.

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