Watch Paparazzi

Singer Anuel AA spotted wearing Rolex

Anuel AA descended the airstairs of a private jet recently, and while the 'Traphouse' hoodie and quilted joggers read as deliberate low-key flex, his left wrist told a different story. Clearly visible was one of Rolex's most coveted exotic-dial Daytonas — the 'Leopard' in 18K yellow gold, a watch that occupies a very specific corner of the collector universe where high horology meets wearable art.

The reference in question is the 116598 SACO, part of Rolex's broader family of gem-set Daytona exotic-dial references introduced in the mid-2000s. The case is solid 18K yellow gold measuring 40mm, housing Rolex's in-house calibre 4130 — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch automatic chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve, COSC-certified, and widely regarded as one of the finest chronograph ebauches in modern watchmaking. The dial itself is the centerpiece: a hand-applied leopard-print surface rendered in warm browns, ambers, and black, with three matching sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. Diamond hour markers replace standard indices, and the bezel carries 36 cognac baguette sapphires in a channel setting — complemented by diamond-pavé lugs that add further brilliance under light.

From a collector standpoint, the 116598 SACO sits firmly in exotic-dial territory alongside the 'Beach,' 'Panda,' and 'Meteorite' Daytona variants. These watches were never produced in large numbers, and Rolex has historically kept allocation to its most loyal AD clients. Secondary-market liquidity is moderate but prices are sticky — sellers know what they have. The leopard-print strap, also period-correct and matching the dial aesthetic, is frequently replaced by owners with aftermarket bracelets, making strap-correct examples more desirable to purists.

Anuel AA's watch collection is consistent with his public persona — high-value, high-visibility pieces that communicate status without subtlety. He has been spotted previously with iced-out AP Royal Oaks and Patek Philippe Nautiluses, but the Daytona Leopard is arguably the most horologically interesting piece he has worn publicly. It signals not just spend, but taste for the genuinely scarce.

At retail, the 116598 SACO listed in the $38,000–$42,000 range depending on configuration and year of purchase, though Rolex never made it widely available. On the current grey market, demand from hip-hop and Latin music communities has pushed authenticated examples comfortably past $70,000, with pristine strap-correct pieces occasionally trading higher at specialist auction.