Mixed martial artist Conor McGregor spotted wearing a Rolex

Conor McGregor has never been subtle about his relationship with luxury watches, and the Rolex Daytona 116588TBR — photographed on his wrist following its Baselworld 2019 debut — is perhaps the clearest statement yet. The reference arrived as one of the standout novelties of that Basel edition, and McGregor appears to have moved quickly to acquire one, underscoring his habit of wearing current, high-profile references rather than relying solely on archive pieces.

The Rolex Daytona 116588TBR is built around a 40mm case in 18kt yellow gold, housing the manufacture Calibre 4130 — a column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch and a 72-hour power reserve that Rolex developed entirely in-house. The movement is widely regarded as one of the most refined chronograph ebauches in modern production, notable for its resistance to positional variance and its clean, architecturally logical layout. What makes the 116588TBR exceptional beyond its movement is the bezel: 36 trapeze-cut diamonds replace the traditional tachymeter scale, each stone cut into a trapezoidal geometry to follow the curve of the bezel with minimal gaps — a setting discipline that demands exceptional consistency in both cutting and mounting.

The Oysterflex strap is an underappreciated detail on this reference. Developed by Rolex and introduced in 2015, the strap uses a flexible titanium and nickel alloy spine over-moulded in black elastomer, offering the security of a metal bracelet with the comfort of rubber. On a full yellow gold, diamond-bezel Daytona, it introduces a deliberate sporting tension that keeps the piece from reading as purely ceremonial.

McGregor has worn Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille pieces publicly, but his choice of the 116588TBR is telling. It sits at the intersection of sport and jewellery — a combination that mirrors his own brand identity as a fighter who has always operated as much in fashion and entertainment as in athletics. The yellow gold and diamonds read loudly without apology.

Retail pricing at UK list sat at £79,500 at launch, translating to approximately $100,000 USD. On the grey market, the 116588TBR commands a significant premium given its limited production and the cost of the hand-set diamond work. Collectors seeking one today should expect to pay meaningfully above list, with well-documented examples in full set condition trading at prices that reflect both its rarity and McGregor's very public endorsement.