Watch Paparazzi

Footballer Steven Gerrard spotted wearing Rolex

Steven Gerrard, one of English football's most decorated midfielders and a name synonymous with Liverpool FC's storied history, was recently photographed wearing a Rolex Sky-Dweller in 18kt white gold, reference 326139, fitted with a black dial. The sighting puts him firmly in the company of collectors who appreciate complication alongside prestige.

Introduced at Baselworld 2012, the Rolex Sky-Dweller was the brand's most significant new model in decades. Reference 326139 represents the white gold iteration of this line, pairing an 18kt white gold Oyster case — measuring 42mm — with the brand's signature Oyster bracelet in matching white gold. The black dial version delivers high contrast legibility, with the annual calendar months displayed around the chapter ring and off-centre hours indicated via a secondary subdial at 6 o'clock. Water resistance sits at 100 metres.

The movement inside is the calibre 9001, a COSC-certified automatic beating at 28,800 vph with a 72-hour power reserve. Its true distinction lies in the Saros annual calendar system — which automatically accounts for months of different lengths, requiring manual correction only once a year, in February — and the Ring Command bezel, a patented mechanism that selects between three settings: winding, date correction, and local time adjustment. For a brand often criticised for mechanical conservatism, the Sky-Dweller was a statement piece.

Among collectors, the 326139 occupies an interesting position. White gold Sky-Dwellers have historically seen softer demand than their Everose counterparts, yet that very fact makes them compelling propositions — genuine complications in precious metal at relatively accessible premiums over steel references. The black dial adds a sportier, more versatile character to an otherwise dressy case material.

Gerrard, now pursuing a coaching career after stints at Aston Villa and Al-Ettifaq, has long shown an appreciation for serious watches. The Rolex Sky-Dweller ref. 326139 retails in the UK at approximately £29,000, reflecting both the cost of the white gold case and the engineering overhead of the Cal. 9001 movement. On the grey market, white gold Sky-Dwellers in this configuration typically trade close to or slightly below retail — making this a watch purchased for the right reasons.