Footballer Luis Figo spotted wearing a Rolex

Luis Figo, the Portuguese winger widely regarded as one of the finest footballers of his generation, was recently spotted wearing the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116506 — the flagship platinum iteration of Rolex's most iconic chronograph. It is a watch whose rarity matches the calibre of its wearer.

Introduced at Baselworld 2013, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116506 marked the first time the Swiss manufacturer had cased the Daytona in 950 platinum. The move was significant. Rolex reserved the material for its most prestigious Oyster Perpetual complications, and bringing it to the Daytona signalled a clear repositioning of the model at the very apex of the brand's hierarchy. The reference features the signature ice-blue dial — a colour Rolex uses exclusively on platinum-cased watches — with a matching platinum bezel that replaced the ceramic used on gold variants. Case diameter sits at 40mm, water resistance at 100 metres, and the sapphire crystal carries a cyclops lens over the date window. Beneath the caseback beats the calibre 4130, Rolex's proprietary column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch, offering 72 hours of power reserve and COSC-certified chronometric precision.

Among collectors, the Daytona 116506 occupies a distinct position. Grey-market demand consistently exceeds supply, and the platinum variant commands a substantial premium over its yellow and Everose gold counterparts. Its ice-blue dial has become one of the most immediately recognisable signatures in contemporary watchmaking. Production numbers are never disclosed by Rolex, but authorised dealer allocations are understood to be extremely limited, sustaining long waitlists and robust secondary-market valuations.

Figo's watch credentials have been visible over the years — the Ballon d'Or winner and UEFA Best Player of the Year 2001 has long favoured high-specification timepieces. His choice of the Daytona 116506 aligns naturally with his profile: a landmark piece from a storied line, executed in the most exclusive material available, worn without ostentation.

At UK list price of approximately £55,000, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116506 sits among the most expensive production watches in the Rolex catalogue. On the secondary market, grey-market values have historically run well above retail, reflecting both the prestige of the platinum case and the perennial scarcity of Daytona references across all metals.