Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Raheem Sterling spotted wearing Rolex

Raheem Sterling, one of England's most decorated active footballers, has been spotted wearing the Rolex Yacht-Master 40 in 18k Everose gold on the brand's proprietary Oysterflex strap — reference 116655. The sighting places Sterling firmly in the camp of collectors who favour precious-metal sport watches that can transition seamlessly from the training pitch to the red carpet.

The Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 made its debut at Baselworld 2015 and immediately stood out within the Yacht-Master family for pairing a fully Everose gold case and bezel with the then-new Oysterflex bracelet. Everose is Rolex's own 18k rose gold alloy, patented and produced in-house at the brand's Chemin des Ateliers foundry in Plan-les-Ouates; its proprietary formula resists fading far better than conventional rose gold. The 40mm case houses Rolex's Calibre 2235, a self-winding movement with a 48-hour power reserve, Parachrom hairspring, and Glucydur balance — a robust package well-suited to an active lifestyle. The bidirectional rotatable bezel is set in Everose gold and carries the characteristic raised Yacht-Master indices, finished with a satin-brushed platinum top coat.

Among collectors, the 116655 occupies an interesting niche. It is not a limited edition, yet its all-precious-metal construction keeps production volumes modest relative to steel siblings. The Oysterflex strap — built around a flexible titanium-nickel alloy blade overmoulded in black vulcanised rubber — was a genuine engineering statement when launched, giving the watch a sportier wrist presence than a traditional Oyster bracelet would allow. Grey-market demand has remained consistently strong, with the reference trading at a healthy premium over retail.

Sterling's watch choices have always reflected his status as a style-conscious figure both on and off the pitch. Having represented Manchester City and the England national team at the highest level, including major tournament campaigns, he is accustomed to scrutiny in both arenas. The Yacht-Master 116655 suits that profile: understated enough for a professional athlete, substantial enough for someone who has earned the right to wear solid gold.

At an official retail price of $31,700 USD, the Rolex Yacht-Master 116655 sits toward the upper end of the brand's standard catalogue. On the secondary market the piece commands a consistent premium, reflecting the intrinsic value of its Everose gold construction and sustained collector appetite for the Oysterflex configuration.