Watch Paparazzi

Rapper 21 Savage spotted wearing Rolex

21 Savage marked his birthday in characteristic fashion, photographed wearing the Rolex Daytona reference 116588TBR — an 18kt yellow gold chronograph that occupies a rare intersection between Geneva-level gem-setting and the functionality of a serious sports watch. It is not a piece built for subtlety, but it is built with a precision that demands closer inspection.

The 116588TBR is powered by Rolex's Calibre 4130, the manufacture's in-house chronograph movement introduced in 2000 and widely regarded as one of the most robust and reliable column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph ebauches in production. The movement operates at 28,800 vph, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and is COSC-certified to chronometer standard. The 40mm case is rendered in 18kt yellow gold, and the bezel — the defining feature of this reference — is set with 36 trapeze-cut diamonds by Rolex's own gem-setting workshop, a distinction that separates this piece categorically from third-party diamond modifications. The Oysterflex bracelet, introduced by Rolex in 2015, adds a black elastomer strap with an embedded titanium and nickel alloy blade, offering the flexibility of rubber with the structural integrity closer to a metal bracelet.

From a collector standpoint, factory gem-set Daytonas occupy a specific and sometimes contentious niche. Purists occasionally overlook them in favor of the cleaner sport references, but the 116588TBR has built a firm secondary market following precisely because the diamond work is manufacturer-executed and documented. Provenance and factory authenticity matter enormously in this segment, and this reference delivers both.

21 Savage, born Shéyaa Bin Abraham-Joseph, has cultivated a watch collection that consistently reflects an understanding of the market beyond surface-level luxury. The 116588TBR on the Oysterflex is not an obvious choice — it sits above the standard gold Daytona in both price and complexity, which suggests deliberate selection rather than impulse.

At retail, the Rolex Daytona 116588TBR carries a list price of approximately $120,000, though official Rolex authorized dealer availability is effectively nonexistent. On the current grey market, the reference trades at approximately $170,000, reflecting both the scarcity of factory gem-set references and sustained demand for gold Daytona variants across all configurations.