Watch Paparazzi

Actor Mark Wahlberg spotted wearing Rolex

Mark Wahlberg was recently spotted wearing one of the most extravagant configurations Rolex produces in regular — if rarefied — production: the Cosmograph Daytona reference 116598TBR in 18-karat yellow gold, with factory-set trapeze-cut diamonds occupying every link of the Oyster bracelet and a bezel paved with 36 individually matched stones. For a celebrity known to take his watch collecting seriously, this is a considered choice rather than a casual flex.

The 116598TBR sits within Rolex's high-jewellery tier of the Daytona family. The case measures 40mm in 18k yellow gold and houses the in-house caliber 4130, Rolex's self-winding chronograph movement introduced in 2000. The Cal. 4130 was a landmark development — a column-wheel, vertical-clutch movement built entirely by Rolex, replacing the Zenith El Primero ebauche that had powered the Daytona for over a decade. It offers a 72-hour power reserve and is certified as a Superlative Chronometer to ±2 seconds per day. The dial on this reference is typically set with a champagne or ivory tone, framed by sub-dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock.

What distinguishes the 116598TBR from other jewelled Daytonas is the trapeze-cut — a stepped, geometric diamond form that demands precise calibration across the full bezel circuit. Combined with the diamond-set bracelet running the full length, the stone count and labor involved place this firmly in Rolex's bespoke atelier territory. It is a factory piece, not an aftermarket modification, which matters enormously to serious collectors.

Wahlberg is no stranger to high-specification timepieces. The actor and entrepreneur has been photographed across a range of significant references over the years, and his taste tends toward bold, precious-metal configurations rather than understated sport watches. The 116598TBR fits that profile precisely.

On the market, the 116598TBR carries a list price of approximately $233,750 — itself a figure that keeps waitlists long and allocations scarce. On the grey market, demand for factory-set Rolex jewellery references has pushed valuations significantly higher, with current estimates placing this reference at or above $500,000. For a watch that combines one of horology's most respected chronograph movements with Rolex's most labor-intensive setting work, the premium is not difficult to justify.