Despite representing over 30% of the entire Swiss watch industry, Rolex remains one of the most secretive companies on the planet. Except when it comes to “off-catalogue” Daytona references.
In recent years, rumours regarding super high-end, gem-encrusted timepieces – including Daytonas, DayDates, GMT Master-IIs – have been circulating. Yet they never appear on the brand’s website, they’re never shown to the press, and if you ask a Rolex Authorised dealer about them, it’s unlikely they’ll even admit their existence.
In fact, the only reason we know there’s a collection of off-catalogue Daytonas (other than an occasional social media leak) is when they’re spotted on the wrist of a celebrity or Rolex ambassador. And this week, long-time Rolex affiliate Roger Federer was papped rocking one of the very rarest off-catalogue Daytona references.
Naturally, we decided to undertake a deep dive into everyone else lucky enough to wear one of these mysterious watches on their A-list wrist.
Roger Federer – Rolex Daytona “Blue Sapphire” Ref. 126599TSA
As far as we know, this is just the third time a Rolex Daytona “Blue Sapphire” Ref. 126599TSA has been publicly sighted, after quietly arriving earlier this year at Watches & Wonders 2025. Crafted from white gold, both its bezel and hour markers are set with baguette-cut blue sapphires, while the lugs are set with diamonds.
The dial might not look particularly special from across the room, but it’s a material Rolex very rarely uses in a special slice of silver-sheen obsidian dial (formed when lava cools rapidly). I’m sure Federer’s safe is literally groaning under the weight of his Rolex collection, though this is guaranteed to be one of his most special pieces.
Market Value: ~US$1.5 million (~AU$2.3 million)
Mirka Federer – Rolex Daytona “Barbie” Ref. 126538TRO
If you’re interested in collecting rare Rolex references, it certainly doesn’t hurt to be married to Roger Federer. But Mirka Federer has more than demonstrated her exquisite taste when it comes to the Big Crown’s finest – I’ve even written a separate deep dive into her collection of rare Rolex watches – and one watch she’s been wearing of late is this Rolex Daytona “Barbie” Ref. 126538TRO from the 2024 off-catalogue collection.
As you’ll see below, there are a few VIP clients who have begun to receive their allocation of the “Barbie” this year. Mirka, however, was understandably among the very first. In short, it’s a proper head-turner, featuring 36 pink sapphires around the bezel and another 11 on the dial, all nicely matching the dial colour and leather strap.
Estimated RRP: ~US$400,000 (~AU$605,000)
Market Value: ~US$750,000 (~AU$1.1 million)
Drake – Rolex Daytona “Giraffe” Ref. 126555TBR
Drake took an absolute battering in the public eye last year (immortalised on Wikipedia and Super Bowl halftime show history, alike), but that hasn’t slowed his rate of rare watch acquisition: picking up this Rolex Daytona “Giraffe” Ref. 126555TBR, which launched earlier in 2025.
Rolex has created a number of animal print-inspired Daytonas in recent years (the “Leopard” was a favourite of Elton John), though this is one of the least attention-seeking thanks to its Oysterflex rubber strap and more muted tones.
Estimated RRP: ~US$167,100 (~AU$252,000)
Market Value: ~US$300,000 (~AU$450,000)
Lionel Messi – Rolex Daytona “Barbie” Ref. 126538TRO
Messi moved to America in mid-2023, and since then, his watch collection has exploded with newly acquired rare pieces, including the GOAT’s very own “Barbie.” It obviously looks the part on the wrist of Mirka Federer, but for any gents out there who’d never consider a pink watch, this should be all the proof you need that men can pull it off, too.
Estimated RRP: ~US$400,000 (~AU$605,000)
Market Value: ~US$750,000 (~AU$1.1 million)
David Beckham – Rolex Daytona Ref. 126599TRU
David Beckham might be a long-time Tudor ambassador – beloved by the brand enough for them to make him a one-of-one watch for his birthday – but that hasn’t stopped him occasionally flaunting a Rolex or two. In photo shared by his wife, Victoria, you can just see the glinting red of a ruby bezel on his wrist, confirming him as one of the very few owners of a Rolex Daytona Ref. 126599TRU.
According to watch expert Anish Bhatt, “It is rumoured that less than 20 of these have been produced and delivered since its introduction two years ago, making it the rarest modern Daytona in production so far.”
Market Value: ~US$1.4 Million (~AU$2.1 million)
Shai Gilgeous-Alexander – Rolex Daytona “Barbie” Ref. 126538TRO
NBA champion Shai Gilgeous-Alexander recently made an appearance on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, sporting his own example of the “Barbie.” Standing just shy of two metres tall, its 40mm yellow gold case looks almost petite on the Canadian-born baller’s wrist.
Estimated RRP: ~US$400,000 (~AU$605,000)
Market Value: ~US$750,000 (~AU$1.1 million)
Crown Prince Ismail Sultan Ibrahim of Johor – Rolex Daytona Ref. 126599TRU
You might be unfamiliar with the name Tunku Ismail ibni Sultan Ibrahim – heir apparent to the Johor throne in Malaysia – but he’s got one of the best watch collections on the entire planet. In addition to countless rare references from Patek Philippe, he’s also the happy owner of several incredibly uncommon Rolex Daytona references, including this example with a ruby-set bezel.
Market Value: ~US$1.4 Million (~AU$2.1 million)
Rolex Daytona “Blue Sapphire” Ref. 126599TSA
The Crown Prince also owns the “Blue Sapphire” reference spotted this week on Federer’s wrist, cementing his place as one of the best contemporary Daytona collectors in the world.
Market Value: ~US$1.5 million (~AU$2.3 million)
Mark Wahlberg – Rolex Daytona “Barbie” Ref. 126538TRO
Beyond his ruthless 4 AM workout routine, relentless acting schedule, and Boston accent, Mark Wahlberg is also a serious watch collector, semi-regularly sharing shots of himself meeting with Patek Philippe President Thierry Stern as he picks up a new watch.
In a now-deleted video on Instagram, he was also spotted wearing a Daytona “Barbie,” making him likely one of the first owners of this off-catalogue Rolex in America.
Estimated RRP: ~US$400,000 (~AU$605,000)
Market Value: ~US$750,000 (~AU$1.1 million)
Caroline Wozniacki – Rolex Daytona “Barbie” Ref. 126538TRO
Caroline Wozniacki has enjoyed her partnership with Rolex for a few years now, resulting in a solid collection of Daytonas that she’s regularly spotted wearing.
Earlier this year while attending the Masters golf tournament, she shared a shot of a Daytona “Barbie” on her wrist. However, it’s not been seen since, suggesting it may have been on loan from the watchmaker to attend the Rolex-sponsored event.
Estimated RRP: ~US$400,000 (~AU$605,000)
Market Value: ~US$750,000 (~AU$1.1 million)
If you enjoyed this wrap-up of the most famous celebrities who own “off-catalogue” Rolex Daytona references, you might enjoy our other celebrity and pop culture watch lists below:
