Basketball player Chris Paul spotted wearing a Rolex

Chris Paul has built a reputation as one of professional basketball's most serious horological enthusiasts, and his latest sighting does nothing to undercut that standing. The Phoenix Suns guard was recently spotted wearing the Rolex Daytona reference 116508 in 18k yellow gold, fitted with the brand's distinctive green dial — a combination that sits at the very top of the Daytona desirability index among collectors worldwide.

The Rolex Daytona 116508 was introduced as part of the fourth-generation Daytona lineup, distinguished by its use of the brand's fully in-house calibre 4130 automatic chronograph movement. That movement, which replaced the outsourced Zenith El Primero base used in earlier references, features a column wheel mechanism and vertical clutch, delivering improved chronograph engagement, reduced vibration, and a 72-hour power reserve. The case measures 40mm in 18k yellow gold, paired with an Oyster bracelet in matching metal, and the green lacquered dial provides a striking chromatic contrast that Rolex has used selectively across its precious-metal sports references.

Among collectors, the 116508 green dial occupies a specific prestige tier. Green dials across the Daytona range — whether lacquered, meteorite, or gem-set — have consistently attracted outsized secondary market attention since Rolex began reintroducing the color in the 2000s. The yellow gold and green pairing in particular carries an almost totemic status in watch circles, blending sporting architecture with unambiguous luxury in a way few references manage convincingly.

Paul's watch wardrobe is well-documented. He has been photographed in Richard Mille timepieces, Patek Philippe complications, and a rotating selection of Rolex references across various public appearances and courtside moments. His eye for the 116508 green dial reflects a collector sensibility that goes well beyond celebrity acquisition — this is a considered choice within a coherent collection.

On the market, the Rolex Daytona 116508 with green dial carries a retail list price of approximately $40,900 USD. On the grey market, demand continues to push values significantly higher, with current estimates placing the reference at approximately $150,000 USD — a premium that underscores both Rolex production constraints and the enduring appetite for this specific configuration.