Footballer Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang spotted wearing a Rolex

Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang was photographed in what appears to be an outdoor editorial setting, wearing a yellow gold Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on an Oysterflex bracelet — a pairing that sits at the intersection of haute horlogerie and sports practicality. The sighting was shared by trusted Mondani Web dealer uhren.2000, lending the identification additional credibility.

The watch in question is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116518LN, introduced in its current ceramic-bezel form in 2016. The 40mm case is crafted in 18k yellow gold, while the unidirectional tachymetre bezel is executed in black Cerachrom ceramic — a material Rolex developed in-house for its near-total resistance to scratching and UV fading. The champagne dial features black-lacquered chronograph subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock, applied yellow gold index markers, and the full 'Cosmograph Daytona' text hierarchy that has defined the model since 1963. Powering the watch is Rolex Calibre 4130, an in-house column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch, 72-hour power reserve, and a COSC-certified rate of +/-2 seconds per day.

The 116518LN occupies a distinct collector position: it is the entry point into Daytona's precious-metal tier, but the ceramic bezel aligns it visually with the stainless steel 116500LN, the most sought-after reference of the modern era. That aesthetic coherence, combined with yellow gold's current resurgence in collector circles, has made the 116518LN increasingly desirable after years of being considered the 'lesser' Daytona.

Aubameyang has demonstrated consistent and educated taste in watches throughout his career, previously spotted in Royal Oaks, Richard Mille pieces, and various Rolex configurations. The choice of the Oysterflex strap rather than the integrated bracelet option signals a preference for wearability without sacrificing specification — a considered collector's decision, not merely a stylist's.

At retail, the 116518LN carries a list price of approximately $34,750 USD, though authorised dealer allocations are essentially non-existent. On the secondary market, the reference trades in the $36,000–$42,000 range depending on condition and documentation, a comparatively modest premium that reflects its relative availability versus steel Daytona references.