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Film director Spike Lee spotted wearing Rolex

Caught poolside in what appears to be a warm-weather setting, Spike Lee is wearing a Rolex Day-Date 36 in Everose gold — Rolex's proprietary 18k rose gold alloy introduced in the mid-2000s, engineered to resist fading better than standard rose gold. The warm, reddish-gold case glows distinctly against Lee's all-white Nike outfit, and the black dial reads with sharp contrast even in bright outdoor light. Photographer Kevin Mazur captured the moment for Getty Images, giving watch spotters a clear enough angle on the bracelet and case to make a confident assessment.

The reference in question appears to be the 118235, the 36mm Day-Date on a President bracelet in Everose gold with a smooth bezel. The President bracelet — a three-link semi-circular design exclusive to the Day-Date and Lady-Datejust — is rendered here in matching rose gold, and its characteristic center-link sheen is visible in the image. The black dial is likely onyx or lacquered, lending it a formal depth that suits both boardrooms and beach clubs. Calibre 3155, the movement powering this generation of Day-Date 36, offers an instantaneous day display in 26 languages — a technical flex as much as an aesthetic one.

From a collector standpoint, the Day-Date 36 in Everose occupies a nuanced position. Purists favor the 40mm 228235 for its modern proportions, but the 36mm retains historical integrity — this is the original 'President's watch,' worn by Eisenhower, Johnson, and Nixon. In rose gold specifically, the 36mm reads as refined rather than ostentatious, which aligns with how serious collectors approach the reference.

Spike Lee is no stranger to luxury watches or to making deliberate aesthetic statements. The Arsenal FC pendant hanging around his neck confirms his well-documented love of the Gunners, while the Rolex on his wrist signals decades of success in Hollywood and independent cinema alike. The Day-Date is the kind of watch you earn, not buy — and Lee has earned it.

On the grey market, Everose Day-Date 36 references trade at a meaningful premium over retail, typically in the $40,000–$48,000 range depending on dial configuration, reflecting sustained demand for gold sports-dress Rolexes across all major auction houses.