Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Julian Draxler spotted wearing Rolex

Julian Draxler, the German midfielder who earned his World Cup winner's medal in Brazil in 2014 and has since established himself as one of Ligue 1's most technically complete players at Paris Saint-Germain, was recently spotted wearing one of the most exclusive production wristwatches Rolex currently offers: the Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116506 in 950 platinum.

Introduced at Baselworld 2013, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 marked the first time the iconic chronograph had been produced in platinum in the brand's history. The 40mm case is crafted in 950 platinum — denser and rarer than the more common 950 palladium alloys used elsewhere in the industry — and houses the manufacture Calibre 4130, Rolex's in-house chronograph movement featuring a column wheel, vertical clutch, and a 72-hour power reserve. The Cerachrom bezel insert, rendered in a warm chestnut-brown ceramic with a raised tachymetric scale, provides a striking tonal contrast against the signature ice-blue dial. That dial colour, applied exclusively to Rolex's platinum references, has become one of the most recognisable finishing codes in contemporary watchmaking.

Among collectors, the ref. 116506 occupies a distinct tier. Its combination of a historically significant debut reference, a precious metal that Rolex uses sparingly, and a dial restricted to platinum production makes it a centrepiece piece rather than a daily wearer for most — which makes a sighting on the wrist of an active professional footballer all the more notable. The reference has never been widely available through authorised dealers, contributing to sustained grey-market premiums.

Draxler's horological taste aligns with a generation of elite European footballers who treat serious watchmaking as a genuine pursuit rather than mere brand endorsement. Known for his two-footed ability, pace, and shooting power since breaking through with Schalke 04, Draxler brings a measured, technically grounded approach to the game — qualities that map neatly onto the engineering precision of a manufacture chronograph.

At official retail, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 lists in a range consistent with Rolex's platinum pricing tier, but on the secondary market the reference trades at $85,000 and above, reflecting sustained demand and extremely limited supply. For a watch this rare, that premium is entirely rational.