Watch Paparazzi

Singer Naldo Benny spotted wearing Rolex

Naldo Benny, one of Brazil's most commercially successful pop and funk artists, was recently photographed at what appears to be a promotional appearance, adjusting his jacket to reveal a Rolex Yacht-Master II in solid 18ct yellow gold — reference 116688 — strapped to his left wrist. The sighting is a clean, unambiguous look at one of Rolex's most technically complex and visually assertive sport watches.

Introduced in 2007, the Yacht-Master II (ref. 116688 in full yellow gold) is built around the caliber 4161, a proprietary Rolex movement featuring a programmable mechanical countdown regatta timer with a memory ring and a mechanical recall function. The 44mm Oyster case in 18ct yellow gold houses this movement behind a screw-down crown and a bidirectional rotating bezel in blue Cerachrom ceramic with injection-molded yellow gold numerals and graduated minute scale. The white lacquered dial carries subdials at 6 and 9 o'clock with red and blue accents — entirely consistent with what is visible in this photograph.

From a collector standpoint, the 116688 occupies an interesting position. It is neither the entry-level Yacht-Master nor the stripped-down tool watch — it is a full-gold, complication-equipped flagship that appeals to buyers who want both the engineering credibility of a genuine sailing instrument and the conspicuous material statement of solid yellow gold. Its 44mm case wears large and commands a room, which aligns well with the entertainment context in which Benny was spotted.

Naldo Benny has long demonstrated an affinity for jewelry-forward styling, regularly photographed with stacked rings, chains, and bold accessories. The choice of the Yacht-Master II in yellow gold fits his aesthetic without feeling forced — it is a watch that functions as a centerpiece rather than a subtle accent.

On the grey market, the 116688 trades at a modest premium or near retail depending on condition and papers, as yellow gold sports Rolexes have not seen the same speculative pressure as steel references. Retail is approximately $42,850 USD in the United States, making this one of the more accessible full-gold complications in the Rolex lineup by comparison.