Cricketer Hardik Pandya spotted wearing a Rolex

Hardik Pandya, one of Indian cricket's most recognizable and flamboyant personalities, was recently spotted wearing the Rolex Daytona Reference 116588TBR — an 18kt yellow gold chronograph set with 36 individually hand-placed trapeze-cut diamonds around its bezel. It is exactly the kind of statement piece one would expect from an athlete who treats personal style as seriously as his on-field performance.

The Rolex Daytona 116588TBR sits at the pinnacle of the standard Daytona gem-set lineup. The 40mm yellow gold case houses Rolex's calibre 4130, a manufacture automatic chronograph movement featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a 72-hour power reserve — widely regarded as one of the most reliable and technically accomplished column-wheel chronograph ebauches in production today. The trapeze-cut diamond bezel is not a cosmetic afterthought; it requires Rolex's in-house gem-setting atelier to select stones of matching optical properties, a process that adds significant production time and cost. The dial on this reference is typically set with a champagne or black background, complementing the warm tone of the yellow gold case. Pairing it on the Oysterflex strap — Rolex's patented metal blade elastomer bracelet — brings a modern, almost sportif sensibility to what is otherwise an overtly luxurious watch.

For collectors, the 116588TBR occupies an interesting niche. It is not a grail piece in the conventional grey-market sense — demand is driven by personal taste for jewellery-grade watches rather than speculative flipping — but its rarity in terms of actual production numbers and the sheer cost of manufacture make it genuinely scarce at retail. It commands respect as a showcase of Rolex's lesser-discussed gem-setting capabilities.

Pandya's watch wardrobe has long reflected his personality: unapologetic, high-end, and oriented toward maximum visual impact. The Daytona 116588TBR fits that profile precisely. It is a watch that announces itself without needing explanation.

The UK list price sits at £85,200. In USD terms, retail lands above the $100,000 mark depending on current exchange rates, and grey-market availability is limited given the relatively small number produced annually.