Watch Paparazzi

Actor Shah Rukh Khan spotted wearing Rolex

Shah Rukh Khan, one of the most recognisable faces in world cinema, was recently spotted wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in stainless steel — specifically the reference 116520, a watch that needs little introduction in collector circles but rewards closer examination every time it surfaces on a significant wrist.

Introduced at Baselworld 2000, the ref. 116520 represented a landmark moment for Rolex. It was the first Daytona to be powered entirely by an in-house calibre — the self-winding Rolex calibre 4130, a movement built around a column wheel and vertical clutch system that delivers exceptional chronograph precision and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The 40mm oyster case in Oystersteel houses a bi-directional self-winding rotor, sapphire crystal, and the iconic tachymetric bezel in black or white ceramic-free composition. Khan's piece appears to feature the white 'panda' dial, long considered the cleaner, more elegant configuration of the reference.

The 116520 ran in production from 2000 until it was discontinued in 2016, replaced by the ceramic-bezelled ref. 116500LN. That discontinuation transformed the 116520 from a coveted sports watch into a genuine collector's piece almost overnight. The absence of a ceramic bezel — considered a flaw by some at the time of its retirement — is now reappraised as part of the reference's distinct character. Steel sports Rolexes of this generation are increasingly treated as transitional icons.

Shah Rukh Khan's watch profile is consistent with someone who understands the market rather than simply following it. Known in India as 'King Khan,' he commands a cultural reach that extends well beyond Bollywood into global brand partnerships and philanthropy. A stainless Daytona — deliberately unpretentious for a man of his means — signals considered taste over ostentation.

On the secondary market, the ref. 116520 in stainless steel with a white dial commands a significant premium over its original retail price. With an official UK RRP of approximately £7,950 at the time of sale, grey-market values have climbed substantially in the years since discontinuation, with clean examples regularly trading between $18,000 and $25,000 USD depending on condition, box, and papers.