Model Mariano Di Vaio spotted wearing a Rolex

Mariano Di Vaio, the Italian model, entrepreneur, and founder of fashion label NOHOW, was recently spotted with a distinctly bold wrist choice: the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 18k yellow gold, reference 116508, fitted with the sought-after champagne dial and black subdials. For someone whose personal brand sits squarely at the intersection of Mediterranean style and high-end lifestyle content, the choice is as deliberate as it is telling.

The Ref. 116508 represents the top of Rolex's current Daytona hierarchy in terms of precious metal and dial drama. The 40mm Oystersteel case is here executed entirely in 18k yellow gold, paired with a tachymetric bezel in matching metal. The champagne principal dial contrasts sharply against the matte black chronograph registers at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, creating a visual tension that keeps the watch from reading as monolithic gold. Water resistance sits at 100 metres, and the Oyster bracelet with Oysterlock clasp ensures security without sacrificing elegance.

Under the caseback sits the Calibre 4130, Rolex's fully in-house chronograph movement introduced in 2000. It replaced the Zenith El Primero-based Cal. 4030 that had powered Daytonas since 1988, and the switch was controversial at the time. History has vindicated Rolex: the 4130's vertical clutch, column wheel, and 72-hour power reserve make it one of the most technically robust column-wheel chronograph movements in production. Collectors prize it for its serviceability and long-term reliability.

The yellow gold Daytona occupies a specific collector niche — less understated than the steel 116500LN, more wearable than platinum, and carrying a heritage link to the Paul Newman-era gold references of the 1960s and 70s. The 116508 champagne-black configuration is among the more requested dial variants and consistently commands a premium on the secondary market.

At an official retail price of $37,300, the 116508 is already a significant investment, but grey-market realities push that figure considerably higher. Di Vaio's visibility wearing the reference on social platforms with millions of followers only reinforces demand for a watch that Rolex already struggles to supply through authorised dealers.