Watch Paparazzi

Pilot Max Verstappen spotted wearing Rolex

Max Verstappen, the Red Bull Racing driver and four-time reigning Formula 1 World Champion, was recently spotted wearing one of the most coveted references in the modern Rolex catalogue — the Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116506 in 950 platinum. The sighting was flagged by spotter Sid Bunt, adding another significant entry to Verstappen's already well-documented appreciation for serious horology.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116506 was introduced in 2013 and represented a landmark moment for the line. It was only the second Daytona ever produced in platinum, and Rolex gave it a treatment befitting the metal. The dial is finished in ice blue — a colour Rolex traditionally reserves for platinum models — with a hand-applied guilloché pattern across the subsidiary registers. The bezel is crafted from Rolex's proprietary Cerachrom ceramic compound in a distinctive chestnut brown, a shade that does not exist on any other reference in the current lineup. The case measures 40mm and is paired with an oyster bracelet in matching platinum.

Powering the 116506 is the in-house calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement that Rolex developed entirely from the ground up. It beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and features a vertical clutch mechanism for precise chronograph engagement with minimal dial jump at the start. The movement is certified as a Superlative Chronometer, meaning it meets Rolex's own standard of ±2 seconds per day — tighter than COSC requirements.

Among collectors, the 116506 occupies a firm position as a grail-tier modern Rolex. Production numbers are deliberately limited, it does not appear on authorised dealer floors in any meaningful quantity, and its combination of precious metal, unique dial colour, and technical execution make it a benchmark for the contemporary Daytona. It was discontinued alongside the broader 116500 generation when the 126500 series arrived, which has only reinforced demand for existing examples.

Verstappen's taste in watches has leaned consistently toward high-specification, mechanically serious pieces. The Platinum Rolex Daytona ref. 116506 retails at approximately $85,775, though grey market values have climbed well above $134,000, reflecting the persistent gap between supply and collector appetite for this particular reference.