Footballer Luka Modric spotted wearing a Rolex

Luka Modric was recently photographed arriving — backpack over shoulder, characteristically understated in a white polo and dark trousers — with a distinctive rose gold Rolex Daytona gleaming at his wrist. The warm blush of the Everose case catches the light even in candid street photography, making identification straightforward for any seasoned watch spotter.

The watch in question is the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116505, crafted entirely in Rolex's proprietary 18K Everose gold alloy — a platinum-enriched formulation the brand developed to resist fading and maintain color integrity over decades. The 40mm oyster case houses the caliber 4130, Rolex's in-house chronograph movement featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a power reserve of approximately 72 hours. The tachymeter scale is engraved directly into the 18K Everose gold bezel — no ceramic here — giving the 116505 a softer, more classical aesthetic compared to its 116500LN sibling.

The dial configuration spotted on Modric is the black "chocolate-adjacent" version with rose gold-toned chronograph subdials and applied hour markers, a combination Rolex introduced to emphasize the warm metallurgy of the case. This dial variant is particularly sought after because it avoids the slightly predictable all-rose-gold-on-rose-gold look, instead creating genuine contrast that rewards close inspection. Collectors often position the 116505 as the gentleman's Daytona — less aggressive than the steel ceramic, more wearable than a full panda dial configuration.

Modric's taste in watches reflects his broader personality: quietly assured, never ostentatious. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner and serial Champions League champion has been spotted with several serious references over the years, and this Daytona sits comfortably within a collection that prioritizes understated excellence — much like his playing style.

On the secondary market, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116505 in this dial configuration commands a meaningful premium over list price, trading in the $42,000–$48,000 range depending on condition and papers. With Rolex having transitioned newer Daytona generations to updated references, the 116505 has solidified its status as a completed chapter — a factor that tends to support rather than suppress collector demand.