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Rapper Pål Tøien OnklP spotted wearing Rolex

Norwegian hip-hop heavyweight OnklP has been photographed on numerous occasions sporting a Rolex Submariner Date, and the reference is unmistakable: the 116610LN, with its Cerachrom black bezel insert and matching black dial. For an artist whose career spans two decades at the top of the Norwegian rap scene, the choice of watch speaks to a desire for enduring quality over fleeting trends.

The Rolex Submariner Date ref. 116610LN was introduced in 2010, replacing the long-running 16610. The most significant upgrade was the introduction of the Cerachrom ceramic bezel insert, which replaced the aluminium unit of earlier generations. Virtually scratch-proof and UV-resistant, the ceramic bezel was a meaningful technical leap. The 40mm Oystersteel case houses Rolex's Calibre 3135, a self-winding movement with a Parachrom hairspring, offering exceptional resistance to magnetic fields and shocks. Water resistance is rated to 300 metres, and the Triplock crown system ensures the case remains hermetically sealed under pressure.

Among collectors, the 116610LN occupies a specific sweet spot. It was the last generation of the 40mm Submariner before Rolex moved to the 41mm 126610LN in 2020, which means it now carries a degree of nostalgic appeal. Many purists prefer the slightly smaller case diameter and the proportions of the older generation. Production of the 116610LN ran for a full decade, making examples relatively accessible on the secondary market compared to rarer variants, yet demand has remained consistently strong.

OnklP, born Pål Tøien, broke through with the group Tungtvann in the early 2000s and went on to build one of the most respected solo careers in Scandinavian hip-hop. His aesthetic has always leaned toward understated confidence rather than ostentatious display, which makes the Submariner Date a fitting choice — functional, iconic, and impossible to dismiss.

On the grey market, the Rolex Submariner Date 116610LN trades comfortably above its original retail price, a reflection of consistent global demand for pre-2020 Submariner references. With official retail no longer available for this discontinued reference, secondary market pricing around the $10,000 mark represents a realistic and stable entry point for one of the most enduring sport watches ever produced.