Watch Paparazzi

Entrepreneur Kazuo Hirai spotted wearing Rolex

Kazuo Hirai, the former President and CEO of Sony Corporation who led the Japanese electronics giant from 2012 to 2018, has been spotted on the wrist with a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116523 — the steel and 18k yellow gold two-tone variant worn on Rolex's signature Oyster bracelet with yellow gold Oysterlock clasp.

The ref. 116523 sits in the middle of the Daytona hierarchy, pairing a 40mm Oystersteel case with 18k yellow gold bezel, crown guards, and bracelet elements. Crucially, it runs on the calibre 4130 — Rolex's self-developed automatic chronograph movement introduced in 2000 and still regarded as one of the most robust and reliable chronograph ebauches in the industry. With a column-wheel mechanism, vertical clutch, and 72-hour power reserve, the 4130 represented a clean break from the Zenith El Primero-based movements used in earlier Daytonas, and collectors have embraced it accordingly. The dial typically presents subsidiary registers in a contrasting tone, framed by the engine-turned tachymetric bezel that defines the Daytona aesthetic.

The 116523 was produced from 2000 until its discontinuation in 2016, when Rolex replaced it with the ref. 116503. That finite production window has solidified its collector status — it represents the full first generation of the in-house calibre era in two-tone form. Two-tone Daytonas have historically been viewed as the more accessible, less speculative corner of the Daytona market, but the 116523 has developed a loyal following among buyers who appreciate the warmer gold contrast against steel without committing to a full yellow gold piece.

Hirai's tenure at Sony was defined by difficult decisions — exiting the PC business, refocusing on imaging sensors and PlayStation — and his watch choice reflects a similar pragmatism. The Daytona 116523 is unambiguous in its quality and heritage, but it doesn't demand attention the way a full precious-metal reference would. For a technology executive rather than a financier, the balance is apt.

On the secondary market, the ref. 116523 in steel and yellow gold commands steady demand. Grey-market pricing typically sits in the £11,000–£14,000 range depending on condition, box and papers, which represents reasonable value for a discontinued in-house Daytona with this level of movement pedigree.