Watch Paparazzi

Actor Leonardo DiCaprio spotted wearing Rolex

Leonardo DiCaprio was photographed wearing a Rolex Daytona 116509 in white gold during a Los Angeles Lakers game on March 4, 2025. The actor and film producer, a known watch enthusiast with a documented collection spanning decades, chose one of Rolex's most coveted sports chronographs for the high-profile courtside appearance—a choice that underscores the Daytona's status as the ultimate status timepiece across entertainment and beyond.

The Rolex Daytona 116509 is fitted with calibre 4030, Rolex's legendary in-house automatic chronograph movement, introduced in 1988 and refined through successive iterations. The calibre delivers a 72-hour power reserve and operates at 28,800 oscillations per hour. The 40mm case is executed in 18k white gold with a polished bezel and the signature Rolex Oyster bracelet, matching the case metal. Water resistance reaches 100 metres. The dial configuration—white racing background with applied matte black subdials and red chronograph hands—creates sharp legibility and visual contrast. The chronograph pushers and central hand mechanisms operate with the mechanical precision Rolex demands, while the tachy-telemeter bezel on the reverse allows traditional timing calculations.

The white gold variant of the Daytona 116509 occupies a distinct position within the reference's production spectrum (2000–2016). While the steel versions command primary market attention, the white gold iterations appeal to collectors seeking material exclusivity without platinum's extreme rarity. This particular dial configuration—white racing with black registers—was produced across the reference's lifespan but has become increasingly sought after as vintage examples appreciate.

DiCaprio's Daytona sighting continues a documented pattern of the actor gravitating toward serious mechanical watches rather than contemporary luxury novelties. The Daytona's association with motorsport heritage and its role in watchmaking history align with DiCaprio's established taste for timepieces with technical substance and provenance.

Retail pricing for the Rolex Daytona 116509 in white gold ranged from $28,000 to $32,000 during production. Current grey-market values for well-preserved examples typically range between $45,000 and $65,000, reflecting the reference's discontinued status and sustained demand. White gold variants command modest premiums over equivalent steel references, though accessibility remains significantly easier than platinum Daytonas.