Athlete Petter Northug spotted wearing a Rolex

On a sun-drenched waterfront that could easily be somewhere along the Norwegian fjords, Petter Northug — one of the most decorated cross-country skiers in World Cup history — was spotted wearing one of Rolex's most visually commanding sports watches: the Cosmograph Daytona in 18k yellow gold with a green sunburst dial, reference 116508. The sighting encapsulates the athlete's well-documented appetite for high-end horology.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 houses the in-house calibre 4130, a self-winding chronograph movement with a column wheel and vertical clutch that Rolex introduced in 2000 to replace the Zenith El Primero-based calibre 4030. The cal. 4130 offers a 72-hour power reserve, operates at 28,800 vph, and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer to ±2 seconds per day — exceptional accuracy for a mechanical chronograph. The 40mm oyster case in 18k yellow gold is paired with a black tachymeter bezel in ceramic (Cerachrom), introduced on this reference in 2016, contrasting dramatically with the vivid green dial.

The green dial variant of the yellow gold Daytona occupies a very specific place in collector consciousness. Green dials on Rolex sport references — from the 'Hulk' Submariner to the Milgauss — consistently attract a fanatical following, and the Daytona 116508 in green is no exception. Its tri-colour register layout in matching green keeps the design cohesive, while applied gold hour markers and gold-tipped chronograph hands maintain legibility. This is not a watch for the understated; it is a deliberate statement piece.

Northug's relationship with luxury goods is no secret — the 13-time World Champion and two-time Olympic gold medallist has cultivated a public persona that extends well beyond the ski trails. Seen here with blue mirrored sunglasses tucked into a white V-neck and printed shorts, he wears the Daytona with the relaxed confidence of someone entirely at ease with the watch's considerable presence on the wrist.

On the secondary market, the 116508 with green dial regularly trades between $75,000 and $95,000 USD depending on condition and documentation, representing a substantial premium over its official retail price. With Rolex discontinuing the 116508 in favour of the updated 126508 (which retains the same aesthetic DNA), collector interest in the outgoing reference has only intensified. This is a watch that appreciates both in value and in cultural cachet.