Footballer Hakim Ziyech spotted wearing a Rolex

Hakim Ziyech was photographed wearing a strikingly customised timepiece before taking to the pitch for Morocco's match against Croatia, and eagle-eyed watch spotters immediately flagged the dial — or rather, the absence of one. The watch in question is the Artisans de Genève 'Maggiore Challenge', a fully bespoke rework of the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116505 in 18K Everose gold, produced in extremely limited numbers by the Geneva-based atelier.

The Rolex Daytona Ref. 116505 is itself a significant object. Launched as the first Daytona in Everose gold, the reference houses the manufacture Calibre 4130 — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch chronograph movement widely regarded as one of the most technically accomplished in Rolex's history. Its 72-hour power reserve, COSC certification, and in-house construction made the 116505 a landmark piece when it debuted. Retail list price historically sits around $36,000 to $38,000 USD, though strong secondary demand pushes grey-market values considerably higher.

Artisans de Genève elevate that foundation considerably. Their 'Maggiore Challenge' commission replaces the standard dial entirely with the firm's signature skeletonised architecture, revealing the Calibre 4130's architecture through hand-finished bridges and apertures. The circular-grained ceramic bezel is custom coloured to evoke the mineral tones of the ore found on the Borromeo Islands in Lake Maggiore — a geographic and aesthetic reference that places the piece firmly in the tradition of European artisanal watchmaking. The level of intervention required means each example demands complete movement disassembly and re-certification.

Ziyech has developed a quiet but consistent reputation as a serious watch collector. A footballer of his calibre choosing an Artisans de Genève commission — rather than a standard boutique purchase — signals genuine engagement with independent horology. The Moroccan winger's taste runs toward pieces with intellectual and aesthetic depth, and the 'Maggiore Challenge' fits that profile precisely.

On the market, Artisans de Genève commissions based on the Rolex Daytona Ref. 116505 command significant premiums over the donor watch alone. Given the scarcity of the 'Maggiore Challenge' edition and the combined cost of the base reference plus bespoke atelier work, total value estimates comfortably exceed $80,000 USD, with some examples trading higher depending on provenance and edition numbering.