Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Tammy Abraham spotted wearing Rolex

Ahead of AS Roma's UEFA Europa League final, Tammy Abraham arrived with more than just boots ready — on his wrist sat the Rolex Daytona 'Rainbow' 116595RBOW in 18k rose gold, a watch that has become shorthand for a certain tier of footballer wealth and taste. Few pieces in the modern Rolex catalogue generate the same level of sustained desire, and seeing one courtside or pitchside never loses its impact.

The reference 116595RBOW is built around the Calibre 4130, Rolex's in-house column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch, offering a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The 40mm case is crafted in 18k Everose gold — Rolex's proprietary rose gold alloy engineered for fade resistance — and the gem-setting work is extraordinary by any standard. The bezel alone features 36 baguette-cut sapphires arranged in a graduated rainbow spectrum, complemented by 56 brilliant-cut diamonds pavéd across the case flanks and 11 baguette-cut rainbow sapphires serving as hour markers on the dial. The overall effect is theatrical without abandoning the Daytona's underlying architecture.

The Daytona 'Rainbow' made its debut at Baselworld 2012 in 18k white gold and 18k yellow gold, and the initial market reception was lukewarm — collectors accustomed to the tool-watch ethos of the standard Daytona were uncertain about gem-set exuberance at that price point. The rose gold variant followed, and over the subsequent decade sentiment shifted dramatically. The 116595RBOW is now considered one of the defining grail watches of the 2010s collector era, consistently among the most searched and traded references in the secondary market.

Tammy Abraham has built a reputation as a serious watch enthusiast since his move to Serie A, regularly appearing with significant pieces from Rolex and Patek Philippe. Choosing the Daytona Rainbow for a European final speaks to a collector who understands the watch's weight — this is not an impulse purchase but a considered centrepiece.

At an official retail price of $135,850, the Rolex Daytona 'Rainbow' 116595RBOW is already firmly in luxury territory, but authorised dealer allocations are effectively non-existent for walk-in clients. On the grey market, verified examples are currently trading in the region of $630,000 — a premium that underscores just how thoroughly the market has reversed its original indifference.