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footballerSpotted December 2022

Footballer Presnel Kimpembe spotted wearing a Rolex

footballer Presnel Kimpembe spotted wearing a Rolex 116508
Who & what: Rolex Daytona Yellow Gold Green Dial Reference 116508 – Presnel Kimpembe

On a Ligue 1 match day between Paris Saint-Germain and Olympique Lyonnais, PSG centre-back Presnel Kimpembe was spotted wearing a Rolex Daytona reference 116508 in 18k yellow gold — one of the most recognizable sport-luxury chronographs in the current Rolex catalogue.

The Rolex Daytona 116508 was introduced as part of the generation of Daytonas powered by the in-house Calibre 4130 movement, which Rolex debuted in 2000 and progressively paired with precious metal cases throughout the 2000s and 2010s. The 4130 is a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph movement running at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of approximately 72 hours — widely regarded among watchmakers as one of the most refined chronograph ebauches in modern Swiss production. The green sunburst dial variant of the 116508 gives the reference its distinctive personality: applied hour markers and the three contrasting subdials — tachymeter bezel flanking the whole package in matching yellow gold — create an unmistakably bold aesthetic.

Among collectors, the 116508 with green dial occupies serious real estate. Yellow gold Daytonas in general sit at a premium in the secondary market, and the green dial configuration has proven particularly sticky in terms of demand. It references, however loosely in spirit, the so-called "John Player Special" aesthetic that defines certain collector-favorite Daytona dials, while remaining firmly within Rolex's official production. Waiting lists at authorized dealers for any precious metal Daytona remain substantial.

Kimpembe, a product of PSG's academy and a French international, has long been associated with a sharp personal style off the pitch. His choice of the Daytona 116508 on match day — rather than reserving it for off-duty appearances — reflects a generation of footballers who treat fine watches as everyday wear rather than occasion pieces.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona 116508 with green dial commands a significant premium over its already substantial retail price, reflecting both the general scarcity of precious metal Daytonas at retail and sustained collector appetite for this specific configuration.

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