Footballer Antoine Griezmann spotted wearing a Rolex

When Antoine Griezmann faced the cameras to announce his exit from Atlético Madrid, the watch on his wrist was anything but understated. Clearly visible was the Rolex Rainbow Daytona reference 116595RBOW — one of the most recognisable and sought-after watches in the entire Swiss industry, let alone the Rolex catalogue. It was a fitting choice for a footballer who has never shied away from spectacle.

The 116595RBOW is built on Rolex's 40mm Cosmograph Daytona case in 18KT Everose gold — the brand's proprietary rose gold alloy, formulated to resist fading over time. The dial is set with 11 baguette-cut sapphires in a graduated rainbow sequence serving as hour markers, while the bezel carries 36 baguette-cut sapphires in the same chromatic progression. The case and bracelet are further paved with brilliant-cut diamonds. Beating at its heart is the Calibre 4130, Rolex's fully in-house column-wheel chronograph movement offering a 72-hour power reserve and a construction so refined it requires just 20% of the components found in a traditional lateral clutch design.

First unveiled at Baselworld 2012, the Rainbow Daytona immediately rewrote expectations for what a sports chronograph could be. It occupied a deliberate position at the intersection of haute joaillerie and tool-watch DNA — Rolex making clear it could compete with the gem-set complications of Geneva's grand maisons. The 116595RBOW in Everose gold joined its white gold sibling 116599RBOW and the two together became the definitive grail watches of the social-media collector era.

Griezmann has long maintained one of the most serious watch collections in professional football. A World Cup winner, Ballon d'Or finalist, and serial Champions League contender, his taste in horology tends toward the grand gesture — and the Rainbow Daytona fits that profile precisely. Wearing it at such a public, emotionally charged moment suggests the piece is a genuine daily companion rather than a staged prop.

On the market, the 116595RBOW commands a substantial premium over its retail price. UK list sits at approximately £72,000, yet grey-market transactions consistently clear $150,000 USD and frequently push higher for unworn examples with original packaging. Allocation is essentially non-existent through authorised dealers, cementing the Rainbow Daytona's status as both a horological icon and a resilient hard asset.