Footballer Ilkay Gundogan spotted wearing a Rolex

When Ilkay Gundogan completed his £21 million transfer to Manchester City, the German midfielder arrived with more than technical midfield vision on display — on his wrist sat a Rolex Daytona reference 116520, one of the most iconic stainless steel sports chronographs of the past two decades.

The ref. 116520 was introduced in 2000 and represented a watershed moment for Rolex. For the first time in Daytona history, Geneva replaced the outsourced Zenith El Primero base with its own proprietary movement: the Calibre 4130. This in-house self-winding chronograph beats at 28,800 vph, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and employs a column wheel and vertical clutch for clean, precise chronograph engagement. The case measures 40mm in steel, features the iconic tachymeter bezel, and was produced in a range of dial configurations including black, white, and silver — each with contrasting subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock.

From a collector's perspective, the 116520 occupies a singular position in the modern Rolex canon. It ran in production until 2016, when it was succeeded by the ceramic-bezel ref. 116500LN. That transition instantly elevated the 116520 to discontinuation desirability. Steel-cased Daytonas have historically commanded premiums on the secondary market, and the 116520 — particularly in black dial — regularly trades well above its original retail price. Certain dial variants and full-set examples fetch even stronger multiples.

Gundogan's taste in watches aligns with that of many elite European footballers who gravitate toward the Daytona for its blend of motorsport heritage, Swiss manufacture credibility, and recognisable design. As a Champions League winner and Germany international, Gundogan's public profile made this sighting particularly visible at the time of his high-profile City move.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 in steel with a black dial consistently trades between $18,000 and $25,000 depending on condition, box and papers, and dial variation — a significant premium over its original retail price of approximately $12,400. It remains one of the most liquid and enduring investments in the modern Rolex catalogue.