Actor Austin Butler spotted wearing a Rolex

On set or between takes, Austin Butler — the actor who earned an Academy Award nomination for his transformative portrayal of Elvis Presley in Baz Luhrmann's 2022 biopic — has been spotted wearing what appears to be a Rolex Datejust 36 in the two-tone Rolesor configuration, reference 126233. The sighting captures Butler in a quilted leather jacket, the warm gold tones of the watch bracelet catching light against his wrist in a manner that feels almost period-appropriate given his recent immersion in mid-century Americana.

The Rolex Datejust 36 ref. 126233 is powered by the Calibre 3235, Rolex's own high-performance manufacture movement featuring the Chronergy escapement, Paraflex shock absorbers, and a 70-hour power reserve — a significant technical upgrade over the earlier Calibre 3135 it replaced in 2020. The case measures 36mm in Oystersteel and 18k yellow gold, fitted here with a fluted yellow gold bezel, champagne dial with applied baton indices, and a date window at 3 o'clock framed by a cyclops lens. The bracelet appears to be the five-link Jubilee, Rolex's own design dating to 1945 and arguably one of the most recognisable bracelets in horology.

Collector sentiment around the 36mm Datejust has shifted meaningfully in recent years. Once dismissed by watch enthusiasts as entry-level Rolex, the 36mm case size has undergone a full rehabilitation, driven in part by a broader appreciation for wearable proportions and the model's legitimate horological heritage. The two-tone champagne configuration specifically carries a timeless quality that neither trends sharply upward nor falls from favour — it is the definition of a steady-state classic.

Butler's affinity for the piece makes contextual sense. His Elvis research reportedly involved deep dives into period style and material culture; Presley himself favoured yellow gold watches, and there is a poetic thread between Butler's breakthrough role and the warm Rolesor aesthetic he wears here.

At retail, the Datejust 36 ref. 126233 in two-tone with champagne dial lists at approximately $9,950 USD. On the secondary market, demand for 36mm two-tone examples has firmed considerably, with grey-market pricing typically ranging between $11,000 and $13,500 depending on condition and paperwork.