Watch Paparazzi

Cricketer Virat Kohli spotted wearing Rolex

Virat Kohli has been photographed on numerous occasions reaching for serious horological hardware, and this latest sighting is no exception. The Indian cricket captain and global sports icon was caught wearing the stainless steel Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN in its all-black configuration — black ceramic bezel over a black dial — one of two dial options the reference offered at launch alongside the white 'panda' variant.

Introduced at Baselworld 2016, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN represented the first time Rolex applied a Cerachrom ceramic bezel to the Daytona family. The move was significant: Cerachrom is virtually scratch-proof, highly resistant to UV fading, and maintains its colour integrity across decades of wear — a meaningful upgrade over the aluminium bezels of previous generations. Powering the watch is Rolex's in-house calibre 4130, a column-wheel chronograph movement with a vertical clutch system that ensures near-instantaneous chronograph engagement without the hand-jump associated with older lateral clutch designs. The movement beats at 28,800 vph and offers approximately 72 hours of power reserve. The 40mm oyster case, rated to 100 metres water resistance, sits on an oyster bracelet with the Oysterclasp and Easylink comfort extension.

Among collectors, the 116500LN occupies a peculiar position: it is simultaneously Rolex's most recognisable sports reference and its most notoriously difficult to acquire at retail. Authorised dealers in major markets have maintained multi-year waiting lists since the reference launched, a dynamic that has kept grey-market premiums elevated and consistent. The black dial, black bezel combination — sometimes referred to as the 'full black' configuration — carries marginally stronger secondary market values than the white dial counterpart in certain regions, reflecting sustained demand from buyers who prioritise legibility and a more assertive aesthetic.

Kohli is no casual watch wearer. He has been associated with Rolex at a brand ambassador level and has publicly worn pieces from multiple prestigious manufactures over the years. His choice of the Daytona 116500LN reads less as a flex and more as a collector's default — the kind of watch that serious enthusiasts reach for precisely because it requires no explanation.

At retail, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116500LN carried a UK list price of approximately £10,500 before being succeeded by the updated ref. 126500LN. On the grey market, demand for the 116500LN has remained robust even following the newer reference's introduction, with examples trading at significant premiums that reflect both its collector legacy and the enduring difficulty of acquiring stainless steel Daytonas through official channels.