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footballerSpotted May 2023

Footballer Fredrik Ulvestad spotted wearing a Rolex

footballer Fredrik Ulvestad spotted wearing a Rolex
Who & what: Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona Steel & Yellow Gold Reference 116523 – Fredrik Ulvestad

Norwegian professional footballer Fredrik Ulvestad was recently photographed relaxing at what appears to be an outdoor beach venue, his left wrist carrying one of Rolex's most iconic chronograph references. The watch in question is a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116523, identifiable by its two-tone Oyster bracelet combining brushed Oystersteel with polished 18k yellow gold centre links — a signature aesthetic that has defined the Daytona lineup for decades.

The Daytona 116523 was introduced in 2000 as part of the generation that transitioned the Cosmograph to Rolex's in-house calibre 4130, a landmark movement featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a generous 72-hour power reserve. The case measures 40mm in diameter and houses the bi-directional self-winding rotor. What makes Ulvestad's specific example particularly sharp is the grey 'slate' dial paired with champagne-gold tachymetre-ringed subdials — a combination Rolex collectors refer to informally as the 'champagne sub' configuration, lending the watch warmth without the full drama of an all-gold piece.

The 116523 occupied production from 2000 until its discontinuation around 2016, when it was superseded by the 116503. During its run, the reference developed a loyal collector base precisely because the two-tone format sits at the intersection of sportiness and dressy versatility. The calibre 4130 is widely regarded as one of the finest chronograph movements in series production — robust, accurate, and service-friendly compared to the ébauche-based cal. 4030 it replaced.

Ulvestad, a central midfielder who has appeared for clubs including Djurgårdens IF and Kasımpaşa before joining Sivasspor, clearly has an eye for understated luxury. Photographed in a Balmain Paris white tee with round sunglasses, the Daytona sits naturally on his wrist — no ostentation, just the right watch for someone who knows what they're wearing.

On the secondary market, the Rolex Daytona 116523 in steel and yellow gold with a grey dial commands strong prices. Grey-market values hover around $23,000 USD, reflecting both the reference's discontinuation and sustained global demand for the Daytona name across all configurations.

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