Watch Paparazzi

Influencer Alex Rivière spotted wearing Rolex

Alex Rivière, one of Spain's most-followed lifestyle influencers, was recently spotted wearing a yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116508 — a pairing of 18k gold case and champagne dial that has become a quiet benchmark for how to wear a precious-metal sports watch without shouting.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 was introduced in 2000 as part of the generation that finally brought the legendary chronograph fully in-house. It houses Rolex's calibre 4130, a column-wheel, vertical-clutch movement developed entirely by the manufacture and widely regarded as one of the most reliable and service-friendly chronograph ebauches in the industry. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers a 72-hour power reserve — a meaningful upgrade over the Zenith El Primero base used in the previous generation. The 40mm case in 18k yellow gold carries a sapphire crystal, a tachymetre bezel also in yellow gold, and water resistance to 100 metres.

What makes this specific configuration — ref. 116508 with champagne dial and black counters — particularly interesting to collectors is the tonal restraint it achieves within an inherently luxurious package. The champagne dial absorbs the warmth of the yellow gold case and bracelet rather than contrasting with it, while the black sub-registers and dark applied indices provide the legibility the chronograph demands. It is among the more sophisticated dial choices Rolex offers for this reference and consistently ranks as one of the stronger performers at secondary market auction.

Alex Rivière's choice of the Daytona 116508 tracks with a broader shift among European influencers away from stainless steel sports references toward precious-metal pieces that photograph richly and carry a degree of collector legitimacy. The Daytona in any configuration remains one of the most recognisable watches in the world; in yellow gold with a champagne dial, it occupies a specific niche that is simultaneously accessible to a general audience and appreciated by serious watch people.

Retail for the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 sits at approximately €35,100 in Europe. On the grey market, demand for yellow gold Daytona references has moderated from pandemic-era peaks but still commands a meaningful premium over list, with clean examples typically trading between $48,000 and $58,000 depending on condition and papers.