Watch Paparazzi

Tennis player Holger Rune spotted wearing Rolex

Holger Rune, the Danish professional tennis player, was photographed wearing a platinum Rolex Day-Date ref. 228396TBR in June 2026. The standout feature was not the watch's precious metal case or diamond-set bezel, but rather its olive dial rendered entirely in Eastern Arabic numerals—a configuration that marks it as one of Rolex's most specialized dial variants for Middle Eastern and Gulf clientele.

The Rolex Day-Date ref. 228396TBR is the platinum iteration of Rolex's current President-style offering, updated in 2023 with the larger 40mm case diameter. The ref. 228396TBR houses the Calibre 3255, Rolex's in-house perpetual movement featuring a Parachrom hairspring, Chronergy escapement, and a 70-hour power reserve. The case itself measures 40mm in diameter and 13.5mm in thickness, machined from 950 platinum with a polished finish and fluted bezel. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters. Rune's specific example carries a platinum baguette diamond-set bezel and matching applied indices on an olive dial, with day and date windows also displaying Eastern Arabic script—numerals used across the Arabian Gulf, Saudi Arabia, and wider Middle Eastern regions.

Rolex has manufactured dials with Eastern Arabic numerals since the 1960s, initially through special commission for distributors and high-net-worth clients in the Middle East. These dials remain production options rather than standard catalogue items, making them exceptionally uncommon in the secondary market. The olive dial amplifies this rarity further; combined with the Eastern Arabic script across hours, date, and day-of-week indicators, this specific 228396TBR configuration represents a genuinely specialist piece that few collectors will ever encounter. The platinum case, baguette diamond setting, and Eastern Arabic dial create a watch that prioritizes exclusivity and cultural specificity over broader appeal.

Rune's choice reflects a growing trend among high-net-worth athletes and collectors of acquiring regionally customized luxury watches that transcend Western-centric collecting narratives. The platinum Day-Date remains a symbol of executive prestige, yet the Eastern Arabic dial variant speaks to a more refined, geographically informed taste.

Retail for the platinum Rolex Day-Date ref. 228396TBR with standard dial typically ranges from USD 48,000 to 52,000, depending on configuration. Diamond-set variants and Eastern Arabic dial examples command significant premiums on the grey market, with estimates exceeding USD 65,000 to 75,000 for examples in excellent condition. Waiting lists at authorized dealers remain multi-year for any platinum Day-Date reference, while specialized dial variants are obtainable only through direct request or secondary channels.