Football manager Antonio Conte spotted wearing a Rolex

Antonio Conte's arrival at Chelsea FC generated headlines across football and, for those paying close attention, across the watch world too. On the day his three-year contract was formally announced, the Italian tactician was photographed with a stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116520 on his wrist — one of the most recognisable and sought-after references in modern watchmaking.

The Rolex Daytona 116520 was produced from 2000 to 2016, replacing the legendary 16520 and marking a pivotal moment in the Daytona lineage. Its most significant achievement was the introduction of Rolex's in-house Calibre 4130 — a column-wheel chronograph movement built entirely by the brand, replacing the outsourced Zenith El Primero base used in its predecessor. The Calibre 4130 features a vertical clutch, offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve, and is widely regarded as one of the finest chronograph movements in production. The 40mm Oyster case in 904L stainless steel houses a tachymetric bezel in scratch-resistant Cerachrom ceramic in later iterations, though earlier 116520 examples carried the classic aluminium bezel.

Among collectors, the 116520 occupies a particularly revered position. White-dial examples with tritium or luminova indices, and especially those with so-called 'exotic' or 'Paul Newman' dials, command extraordinary premiums. The standard white or black dial references are themselves consistently strong performers on the secondary market, benefiting from the Daytona's enduring status as a reference-point luxury chronograph. Waiting lists at authorised dealers have historically stretched years, making grey-market acquisition the realistic route for most buyers.

Conte's taste in watches aligns with his reputation for precision and discipline. The Daytona is not a flashy choice — it is a professional's tool watch with impeccable heritage, the kind of timepiece that rewards knowledge rather than spectacle. As one of the most decorated managers in Serie A and Champions League history, Conte brings the same calculated approach to his personal style.

On the secondary market, the stainless steel Rolex Daytona 116520 trades well above its original retail price, reflecting both the model's discontinuation and persistent global demand. Buyers should expect to pay a meaningful premium over the original UK RRP of approximately £7,950, with grey-market prices consistently higher depending on dial variant and condition.