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Pilot Fabio Quartararo spotted wearing Rolex

Fabio Quartararo, the young French motorcycle racer riding for the Petronas Yamaha SRT team, was photographed wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 18k white gold during what appears to be a celebratory tropical getaway following his first MotoGP victory. The choice of watch is telling: Quartararo opted for restraint over flash, selecting a model whose motorsport DNA aligns directly with his profession.

The reference in question — almost certainly the 116509 — features an 18k white gold case measuring 40mm, paired with the iconic black ceramic-insert tachymeter bezel introduced across the Daytona line as part of Rolex's gradual modernisation of the model. The silver dial carries three black-lacquered chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, a configuration collectors call the 'reverse panda.' The case is mounted on an integrated Oyster bracelet in 18k white gold, secured by the Oysterclasp with Easylink comfort extension system. Powering everything is Rolex's proprietary Calibre 4130, a column-wheel, vertical-clutch movement offering approximately 72 hours of power reserve and COSC chronometer certification.

The Daytona's collector significance requires little introduction. Originally designed for endurance racing drivers — its name referencing the Daytona International Speedway — the reference 116509 sits in the upper tier of the steel-and-precious-metal Daytona hierarchy. The white gold variant, introduced in 2000, carries more exclusivity than the stainless 116500LN and considerably less mainstream visibility than the yellow gold models, making it a sophisticated choice for someone who wants substance over spectacle.

Quartararo, born in Nice in 1999, became one of the youngest riders to claim a MotoGP race victory, and his trajectory — from Moto3 prodigy to factory-level contender — mirrors a certain relentless precision that the Daytona as an instrument embodies. His selection of a motorsport-pedigreed chronograph is no accident; it is contextually coherent.

At a 2018 list price of approximately $43,090, the Daytona 116509 already commanded a premium at retail. On the grey market, white gold Daytonas consistently trade above retail, with this reference attracting valuations in the $55,000–$70,000 range depending on condition and papers, reflecting persistent demand that Rolex's controlled supply has done nothing to soften.