Footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic spotted wearing a Rolex

Catching a footballer in a truly significant watch is one thing; catching Zlatan Ibrahimovic in one is entirely another. The Swedish striker, photographed during his Manchester United era, was spotted wearing what the reference image confirms to be a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 in 950 platinum — the crown jewel of the Daytona family and one of the most sought-after references in contemporary horology.

Introduced at Baselworld 2013, the Daytona 116506 marked Rolex's first use of platinum for a Daytona case. The 40mm case houses the in-house Calibre 4130 — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph movement offering approximately 72 hours of power reserve, COSC-certified, and built entirely by Rolex from the ground up. What makes the 116506 immediately identifiable is its Cerachrom bezel in brown ceramic, paired with an ice-blue platinum dial featuring chocolate-brown subsidiary dials. Collectors christened it the 'John Player Special' after the iconic black-and-gold Lotus Formula One livery, though the colour analogy speaks more to its bold, high-contrast identity.

From a collector standpoint, the 116506 occupies rarefied air. Platinum Daytona production volumes are deliberately constrained, the reference is not readily available at authorised dealers, and its waiting list dynamics mirror those of the stainless steel 116500LN — but with a considerably higher barrier to entry. The combination of platinum case, ceramic bezel technology, and the ice-blue dial unique to platinum Rolex models gives this reference a visual identity that no other Daytona reference replicates.

Ibrahimovic's taste in watches has always reflected his personality: bold, expensive, and unapologetically direct. The 116506 suits him precisely because it requires no explanation to those who know watches, and commands immediate attention from those who don't. During his time at Manchester United, Ibrahimovic was one of the most recognisable athletes on the planet, and this sighting reinforces that his off-pitch choices match the scale of his on-pitch reputation.

At the time of the sighting, UK list price sat around £50,000. On the grey market today, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 trades significantly above retail, reflecting sustained global demand and the inherent scarcity of platinum Rolex production — making Ibrahimovic's wrist one of the better places to spot it.