Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Ashley Young spotted wearing Rolex

Ashley Young, the versatile Manchester United midfielder and Manchester derby hero, was recently spotted wearing one of Rolex's most coveted references: the Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116528 in 18k yellow gold, fitted with a striking white dial and black subdials. The sighting places Young firmly among the footballers who choose their timepieces with genuine conviction rather than mere brand recognition.

The Rolex Daytona 116528 is the yellow gold iteration of what is arguably the world's most famous chronograph. Introduced in the mid-2000s as part of the generation that moved the Daytona to an in-house movement, the 116528 houses Rolex's calibre 4130 — a column-wheel chronograph with vertical clutch, offering 72 hours of power reserve and COSC-certified precision to within +/- 2 seconds per day. The 40mm case in 18k yellow gold is fitted with a matching Oyster bracelet, and the white lacquer dial with black Daytona subdials gives the watch a clean, high-contrast legibility that references the original Paul Newman-era aesthetics without directly imitating them.

Among collectors, the 116528 occupies a specific and respected position. Yellow gold Daytonas consistently attract buyers who want the full metal expression of the reference — no ceramic bezel complications, no two-tone compromises, just the purest statement of the model's grand sports chronograph identity. The white dial variant is particularly sought after for its visual clarity and its nod to the sports-racing instruments that inspired the original 1963 Daytona.

For a footballer of Young's stature — a player who has operated at the highest level of the Premier League and European football — the Daytona 116528 is a logical acquisition. It occupies a price point that is serious without being ostentatious, and it carries institutional weight that transcends trends. It is a watch worn by people who know watches.

On the grey market, the Rolex Daytona ref. 116528 in yellow gold commands a meaningful premium over its retail price, reflecting sustained global demand for gold Daytonas. With an official UK RRP in the region of £23,200, buyers seeking this reference outside authorized channels should expect to pay considerably more — a reality that only reinforces its appeal.