Athlete Federica Pellegrini spotted wearing a Rolex

Federica Pellegrini was spotted wearing a stainless steel Rolex Datejust reference 116200, fitted with a smooth bezel, Oyster bracelet, and a blue sunburst dial set with applied Roman numeral indices — a dial configuration that Rolex has since quietly phased out of current production, leaving this particular combination available only on the secondary market.

The Datejust 116200 is a 36mm stainless steel case housing Rolex's in-house calibre 3135, a self-winding movement running at 28,800 vph with a power reserve of approximately 48 hours. Introduced in the mid-2000s and produced until around 2016, when the 116200 was succeeded by the 126200, it features a sapphire crystal with Cyclops lens over the date, a screw-down crown, and 100-metre water resistance. The smooth domed bezel was the entry-level option alongside fluted and diamond variants, and it remains the cleanest aesthetic choice for those who want the Datejust to read as understated rather than ornate.

The blue sunburst dial with Roman numerals is the detail that gives this particular example collector interest. Rolex continues to offer the current-generation Datejust 36 reference 126200 with a smooth bezel and Oyster bracelet, but the blue sunburst-Roman numeral combination has not carried over, meaning buyers seeking this exact specification must look to pre-owned examples. The dial's guilloche-inspired texture catches light differently from the more common stick-index versions, and Roman numerals add a dress-watch formality that suits the 36mm case proportions well.

Pellegrini is one of the most accomplished competitive swimmers of her generation, holding the world record in the 200m freestyle for over a decade and winning Olympic and World Championship medals across multiple cycles. Her choice of a 36mm Datejust — precise, reliable, and wholly unpretentious — tracks with the sensibility of a professional athlete who needs a watch that performs in daily life without demanding attention.

On the grey market, clean examples of the Rolex Datejust 116200 in stainless steel trade in a well-established range. The blue sunburst dial with Roman numerals commands a modest premium over common white or silver dial variants due to its discontinued status. Collectors looking for a discontinued Datejust configuration with genuine visual distinction and Rolex movement quality will find the 116200 in this specification a rational and durable choice.