Rapper Navai Bakirov spotted wearing a Rolex

Navai Bakirov, the Russian rapper and songwriter known for emotionally charged lyrics and a quietly luxurious aesthetic, was recently spotted wearing one of the most recognizable references in contemporary watchmaking — the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 in 18ct yellow gold with a green dial. It is a choice that speaks volumes to those who follow both music and watches seriously.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116508 sits at the top of the standard Daytona production lineup. Its 40mm case is crafted entirely from Rolex's proprietary 18ct yellow gold alloy, and the green sunburst dial — paired with matching green chronograph subdials — is among the most visually distinctive configurations the manufacture offers. The tachymetric scale engraved into the bezel allows elapsed speed calculations over a measured distance, a nod to the model's motorsport origins dating back to its 1963 introduction. Inside runs the Rolex caliber 4130, a column-wheel, vertical-clutch movement developed entirely in-house and widely regarded as one of the most reliable and serviceable chronograph movements in production today.

Among collectors, the green-dial 116508 occupies a specific and highly coveted tier. Green dials across the Rolex catalogue — from the Submariner date to the Sky-Dweller — have become shorthand for prestige, but in yellow gold the combination feels particularly deliberate. Rolex launched the green dial variant of the 116508 to considerable fanfare, and waitlists at authorized dealers have remained effectively permanent since its introduction. Finding one at retail is, for most buyers, not a realistic prospect.

Navai Bakirov's taste in timepieces aligns with a broader trend among Eastern European and Russian hip-hop artists who have developed a sophisticated appreciation for Swiss watchmaking beyond the obvious entry points. The 116508 is not a watch for someone new to the category — it signals familiarity with the Daytona's history and an understanding of what separates a genuinely collectible reference from a merely expensive one.

On the grey market, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 in yellow gold with green dial trades at approximately $95,000 USD, representing a significant premium over its retail price. Demand shows no meaningful signs of softening.