Footballer Zlatan Ibrahimovic spotted wearing a Rolex

Zlatan Ibrahimovic has never been shy about his taste for serious horology, and a recent sighting confirmed he was wearing one of Rolex's most sought-after chronograph references: the Cosmograph Daytona 116508 in 18kt yellow gold with a green dial — a configuration that sits at the top of collector wish lists worldwide.

The Rolex Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116508 is built around a 40mm 18kt yellow gold case housing the manufacture Calibre 4130 automatic chronograph movement. That movement, introduced when Rolex brought the Daytona fully in-house in 2000, runs at 28,800 vph, offers a 72-hour power reserve, and uses a column wheel and vertical clutch for smooth, precise chronograph engagement. It is widely regarded as one of the most reliable and legible column-wheel chronograph calibres in production watchmaking. The oyster bracelet in matching yellow gold, secured by the Oysterclasp with Easylink comfort extension, completes a cohesive, full-gold presentation.

The green dial variant of the 116508 occupies a particular position in the Daytona collector hierarchy. Rolex introduced rich lacquer dial colours to the gold Daytona line to differentiate the precious-metal references from stainless steel siblings, and the green dial — with its three white-gold-applied subdial rings — became an immediate standout. Supply has always been tightly controlled, making it a genuinely scarce piece even among Rolex's famously constrained allocations. Collectors regard it as a modern classic with clear long-term holding value.

Ibrahimovic has been a consistent wearer of high-complication and prestige-sport watches throughout his career, from his time at PSG and Barcelona to his later seasons at Manchester United and AC Milan. His personal style leans toward bold, unapologetic choices — the gold Daytona with a green dial fits that profile precisely. It signals an understanding of watchmaking rather than simply a purchase at the top of a price list.

At retail, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116508 carries a UK list price of approximately £25,550. On the grey market, demand for this specific dial configuration consistently pushes transaction prices well above £40,000, and in peak market conditions the green dial has traded at nearly double retail. It remains a benchmark reference for anyone tracking the relationship between Rolex allocation policy and secondary market dynamics.