Boxer Mike Tyson spotted wearing a Rolex

Spotted during what appears to be a podcast or studio recording session, Mike Tyson's wrist tells a familiar story of serious taste in fine watchmaking. The former undisputed heavyweight champion of the world — whose personal history with luxury watches is well documented — is seen here wearing one of Rolex's most coveted precious-metal Daytona variants: an 18ct white gold Cosmograph Daytona with a mother-of-pearl dial and diamond-set hour markers, almost certainly reference 116509.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116509 is built around an 18ct white gold 40mm Oyster case paired with a white gold bezel featuring a black tachymetric scale in black ceramic — a detail visible in the comparison image. The lacquered mother-of-pearl dial carries three subdials for elapsed hours, minutes, and running seconds, with round brilliant-cut diamond hour markers replacing the standard applied indices. Power comes from the proprietary Calibre 4130, a column-wheel COSC-certified chronograph movement with a 72-hour power reserve and a lateral clutch for smooth chronograph engagement — one of the most technically accomplished movements Rolex has ever produced.

The 116509 occupies an interesting collector position: it is unambiguously a tool watch by design and a jewellery piece by execution. The combination of white gold and MOP is relatively restrained by haute joaillerie standards, which gives it crossover appeal among both sports-watch purists and collectors drawn to precious-metal dressing. Introduced in the mid-2000s and updated with the Cal. 4130 in 2000, the reference has maintained consistent desirability. Grey-market premiums on white gold Daytonas with exotic dials remain significant.

Mike Tyson's relationship with luxury watches has been widely covered — the former champion has historically gravitated toward statement pieces, and this Daytona fits that profile without veering into ostentation. The white gold and MOP combination is subtler than a full-pave diamond version, suggesting a collector's eye rather than pure spectacle.

At retail, Rolex lists this reference in the $36,000–$40,000 range, though authorised dealers rarely have stock. On the secondary market, white gold Daytonas with MOP and diamond dials regularly trade between $45,000 and $60,000 depending on condition and box-and-papers status — a premium that reflects both the white gold Daytona's enduring allure and the near-impossibility of acquiring one through official channels.