Actor Bjarte Hjelmeland spotted wearing a Rolex

Norwegian multihyphenate Bjarte Hjelmeland — best known to Scandinavian audiences for his work across stage, screen, and music — was recently photographed wearing a stainless steel Rolex Daytona ref. 116520, a watch that needs no introduction in serious collecting circles. The sighting is a reminder that understated horological choices often say more than flashy ones.

Introduced in 2000, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 represented a watershed moment for the Daytona line. It was the first reference to abandon the outsourced Zenith El Primero-based caliber 4030 in favor of Rolex's entirely in-house caliber 4130. That movement, a column-wheel vertical-clutch chronograph with a 72-hour power reserve, transformed the Daytona from a great watch into an exceptional one. The 40mm oyster case in 904L stainless steel, paired with a tachymeter bezel and the iconic tri-color dial layout, gave the 116520 a timeless sporting aesthetic that remained in production until 2016.

The ref. 116520 was produced with several dial variants — black, white, and a rare meteorite — but the black and white dials are the collector staples. The white-dial version in particular commands a premium, and any unpolished example with original bracelet and full set documentation attracts fierce competition at auction. Since its discontinuation and the introduction of the current ref. 116500LN with its ceramic bezel, the 116520 has carved out a distinct collector identity: the last steel Daytona with a metal bezel, appreciated for its warmer, more classical look.

Hjelmeland's profile as a creative polymath — active in Norwegian theatre, television, and recording — fits the profile of a collector who chooses watches for personal resonance rather than social signaling. The Daytona 116520 is precisely the kind of piece a discerning wearer gravitates toward: historically significant, visually restrained, and appreciating steadily.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116520 trades comfortably in the $18,000–$22,000 range depending on dial color, condition, and completeness of set. The official retail price during its production era was a fraction of that — a gap that tells the full story of its desirability. For a watch that was once sitting in display cases, its current standing is well earned.