Tennis player Roger Federer spotted wearing a Rolex

Roger Federer, the 20-time Grand Slam champion and one of Rolex's most enduring brand ambassadors, was recently spotted on the wrist of the Swiss tennis legend: an 18k yellow gold Rolex Daytona reference 116508 fitted with a striking green dial. The sighting comes as no surprise given Federer's decades-long relationship with the Geneva manufacture, but the specific configuration he chose is worth examining closely.

The Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 in yellow gold with a green dial represents one of the most desirable executions of the modern Daytona. Introduced as part of Rolex's broader expansion of the Daytona range in yellow gold, the green sunburst dial lends the case an almost jewel-like quality that the more traditional black or white dials simply do not replicate. Beneath the dial, Rolex's Calibre 4130 — developed entirely in-house and introduced in 2000 — powers the watch. The movement features a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a 72-hour power reserve, and has earned a reputation among watchmakers as one of the most robust and precise chronograph movements in the industry.

The 116508 reference, with its 40mm Oystersteel-adjacent yellow gold case and tachymeter-engraved bezel, occupies a collector-grade tier within the Daytona family. Unlike the ceramic-bezel 116500LN that dominates grey-market conversations, the yellow gold references attract a more targeted buyer — one prioritising material prestige alongside mechanical credibility. The green dial variant in particular commands a notable premium over its white or black counterparts.

Federer's association with Rolex dates back to 2006, and the brand has appeared on his wrist at Wimbledon, in advertising campaigns, and at countless off-court appearances. His choosing the 116508 in this configuration reflects an eye for the quieter flex — gold and green reads confidently without shouting.

On the market, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116508 green dial carries a retail list price of approximately $40,900 USD. On the secondary market, demand consistently pushes values well above retail, with current grey-market prices tracking around $88,000 USD — a premium that speaks to the reference's enduring desirability and constrained supply from authorised dealers.