Watch Paparazzi

Rapper Big Sean spotted wearing Rolex

Big Sean was recently spotted on the wrist-watch radar wearing a Rolex Submariner Date reference 116618LB in solid 18kt yellow gold — one of the most immediately recognisable luxury sport watches in production. The rapper, whose taste in timepieces has drawn attention before, chose a piece that is far more than a status symbol for those who know what they're looking at.

The Submariner 116618LB is a 40mm dive watch built entirely in 18kt yellow gold, paired with a striking blue monobloc Cerachrom bezel insert and a matching blue dial set with luminous hour markers. Rolex introduced the Cerachrom ceramic bezel on the Submariner family beginning in 2008, and the 116618LB — part of the reference generation introduced in 2009 — benefits from its scratch resistance, UV stability, and deep colour saturation. Power comes from the in-house calibre 3135, a self-winding movement offering approximately 48 hours of power reserve, a Parachrom hairspring, and a Paraflex shock absorber. The watch is water-resistant to 300 metres.

Among collectors, the 116618LB carries the affectionate nickname 'Bluesey' — a nod to the all-blue aesthetic of bezel and dial against warm yellow gold. It sits a tier above the stainless steel Submariner in terms of rarity and material cost, and unlike the steel references, it has historically been available through authorised dealers without the years-long waiting lists. That relative accessibility, combined with genuine precious-metal construction, makes it a serious collector piece rather than a novelty.

Big Sean has long cultivated a style identity grounded in Detroit's understated confidence — and the 116618LB fits that sensibility. It is not a watch that announces itself with diamonds or complications; it makes its statement through material quality and heritage alone. For a rapper of Sean's stature, the choice reads as considered rather than conspicuous.

On the grey market, the Rolex Submariner 116618LB trades at a meaningful premium over its retail price, driven by sustained global demand for full-gold Rolex sport references. The watch retailed at approximately $38,650 USD before Rolex's periodic price adjustments, and current secondary-market values sit comfortably above that figure, reflecting the enduring desirability of the reference.