Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Paul Pogba spotted wearing Rolex

Paul Pogba, then at the peak of his powers as Manchester United's midfield engine, was photographed wearing the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116509 — the 18kt white gold iteration dressed with a striking blue dial. For a footballer with the financial reach and the personal style profile of Pogba, the choice is telling: this is not the entry-level Daytona, nor the obvious flex of a full-pave diamond case. It is the understated, connoisseur-grade version of one of the world's most recognisable sports chronographs.

The Daytona 116509 sits within the white gold family of the modern Daytona generation, introduced alongside the Calibre 4130 in 2000. That movement was a watershed moment for Rolex — a fully in-house, COSC-certified chronograph calibre featuring a column wheel and vertical clutch, replacing the previous Zenith El Primero-derived ebauche. The 40mm case in 18kt white gold houses a blue-lacquered dial with white gold applied hour markers and matching subsidiary dials for the chronograph registers. The sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens over the date — wait, no date on the Daytona — sits flush with a tachymetric bezel also executed in 18kt white gold. Power reserve runs to approximately 72 hours.

From a collector's standpoint, the 116509 in blue dial configuration has always commanded a premium in secondary market discussions. White gold Daytonas across the 116509 reference family occupy a quieter but deeply respected tier — they lack the platinum rarity of the 116506 Ice Blue, but they outclass steel variants in terms of precious metal substance and dial exclusivity. The blue dial version specifically benefits from Rolex's ability to produce sunray-finished dials that photograph beautifully under changing light conditions.

Pogba's relationship with high-end watches is well documented. The Frenchman has been spotted across a wide range of references from multiple maisons, but his reach for the Daytona 116509 suggests an appreciation for Rolex beyond badge value — this is a reference that rewards knowledge.

At UK list price of £28,850, the 116509 was already a significant acquisition at retail. On the grey market, white gold Daytona references have historically traded at meaningful premiums above list, reflecting the near-impossible waitlist reality that has defined Daytona availability for decades.