Actor Daniel Dae Kim spotted wearing a Rolex

Daniel Dae Kim was spotted wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Ref. 116500LN during his tenure on NBC's medical drama New Amsterdam, where he played Dr. Cassian Shin. The stainless steel chronograph appeared prominently in wrist shots across multiple episodes, grounding the character in understated professional elegance while the actor navigated high-stakes hospital scenarios.

The Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500LN, introduced in 2016, represents a watershed moment in the modern Daytona line. Its 40mm Oystersteel case houses the in-house Caliber 4130 chronograph movement, a self-winding mechanism with a 72-hour power reserve and column-wheel construction. The watch features a sunburst black dial with applied luminous indices, three counters (30-minute, 12-hour, and constant seconds), and push-button chronograph controls flanking a screw-down crown. The Cerachrom bezel in ceramic—black with white enamel numerals—resists scratching far more effectively than the previous aluminum alternatives. Water resistance reaches 100 meters, sufficient for daily wear and accidental submersion but not diving. The five-link Oyster bracelet integrates a Paraflex shock absorber and solid end links, delivering a refined, secure feel.

Among collectors, the 116500LN occupies a unique position: it was the first Daytona to combine the in-house Caliber 4130 with a ceramic bezel and modern dial refinements. Early production references had a dial configuration sometimes called "maxi markers," while later editions introduced subtle variations. The black dial variant remains the most universally coveted, maintaining stronger secondary-market premiums than other colorways. Its stainless steel case material and accessible (relative to white-gold or platinum editions) positioning have cemented it as the entry point to serious Daytona collecting.

Dae Kim's choice to wear a Daytona aligns with a broader pattern among physicians and medical professionals in television and film; the chronograph's origins in motorsport and aviation lend it an aura of precision and reliability that resonates with dramatic portrayals of clinical expertise. The pairing of actor and watch elevated the Daytona's visibility during New Amsterdam's network run.

On the grey market, a stainless steel Rolex Daytona Ref. 116500LN commands prices between $14,500 and $18,000 USD depending on condition and year of manufacture, substantially above its original retail price of approximately $14,550. Authorized dealer waitlists for new examples typically exceed 5–10 years, making pre-owned acquisition the practical route for most collectors. The 116500LN remains among the most actively traded modern Rolex sports watches.