Bernard Montiel — watch collection

About Bernard Montiel’s watch collection

Bernard Montiel is one of France's most recognisable television personalities, with a career spanning several decades across presenting, acting, and media. Born in 1960, he built his reputation through regular appearances on major French channels, hosting entertainment programmes and chat shows that made him a household name. Beyond presenting, Montiel has maintained a parallel acting career, appearing in French film and television productions. His longevity in an industry known for short cycles speaks to his adaptability and enduring public appeal.

When it comes to watches, Montiel gravitates toward Rolex — specifically the kind of reference that sits at the top of the manufacture's sports-luxury catalogue. He was photographed wearing a Rolex Cosmograph Daytona reference 116509, a detail-rich configuration featuring a silver dial with bold Arabic numerals, black sub-register rings, and an 18k white gold case paired with an Oyster bracelet. This is not the entry-level Daytona. The 116509 is a precious-metal variant that carries significantly more weight — both literally and in terms of market positioning — than its stainless steel counterparts.

The Bernard Montiel watch collection, as documented through public sightings, currently centres on that single confirmed Daytona reference. The 116509 houses Rolex's in-house calibre 4130, introduced to replace the modified Zenith movement used in earlier Daytona references, and has been in production since 2000. Choosing the white gold version over steel or yellow gold reflects a preference for understated precious metal rather than conspicuous flash — a considered choice that aligns with the kind of polished, low-key presentation Montiel has maintained throughout his public life.